Kuku Paka is a chicken dish with a coconut-based curry and is also called “kuku na nazi”. It has Arabic, Indian and African influences. Kuku in Swahili means chicken. The dish is particularly popular in the East African coast and among the Indian communities living in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Coconut milk or coconut cream and curry spices are the main ingredients of the dish.
What sets apart Kuku Paka from other coconut curries is the flavor from char-grilling the chicken before adding it to the coconut curry base. This gives it a smoky flavor. Shrimp or fish are often substituted for chicken in this popular East African dish.Paka in Swahili means to smear, to spread or to apply.
Kuku Paaka Chicken
What sets apart Kuku Paka from other coconut curries is the flavor from char-grilling the chicken before adding it to the coconut curry base. This gives it a smoky flavor. Shrimp or fish are often substituted for chicken in this popular East African dish.Paka in Swahili means to smear, to spread or to apply.
Ingredients
- 1*3&1/2 lb chicken ,skinned and cut into pieces
- 2 green chillies,ground
- 2 green chillies, slit
- 1 teaspoon(tsp) garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon(tsp) ginger paste
- 3-4 tomatoes,peeled and chopped
- 2-3 small onions,chopped
- 1 packet coconut cream
- 1 pint water
- 1/2 teaspoon(tsp) turmeric
- 3 tablespoons(tbsp) lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- few coriander leaves,chopped
- 5 boiled eggs,shelled(optional)
- 6 boiled and skinned potatoes(optional)
Instructions
- Boil the chicken with 1/2 tsp salt, garlic, ginger, ground green chillies, onions and two tomatoes until the chicken is cooked
- In a separate saucepan put the coconut cream, one pint water, 1-2 tomatoes, slit green chillies, salt and a little turmeric, and bring to boil, stirring all the time. Cook on high heat for 15-20 minutes and then reduce heat
- When the chicken is cooked, pour a little of the coconut cream gravy over the pieces and grill on both sides for a few minutes
- Transfer the grilled chicken into the coconut gravy and cook for a while
- Turn off the heat and add lemon juice
- Add the boiled eggs and potatoes (optional)
- Garnish with chopped coriander leaves
- One of the following would make a perfect accompaniment: mkate mimina, paratha, naan or riceN.B. When re-heating Kuku Paaka, heat gently
