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–+ servings
Kenyan Coconut Curry in a cast iron pan.

Kuku Paka: African Coconut Curry With Grilled Chicken

Carne Diem Culinary
Transport your taste buds to the vibrant flavors of East Africa with this classic Kuku Paka recipe. Tender chicken simmers in a rich and fragrant coconut milk sauce, infused with aromatic spices like ginger, garlic, and curry powder in this classic Kenyan chicken dish.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine African, Kenyan
Servings 4
Calories 1016 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 Chicken Legs
  • 25 Ounces Coconut Milk
  • ¼ Cup Hot Water
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil or Palm Oil
  • 1 Tablespoon Cumin Seed
  • 2 Tablespoons Tamarind Pulp, Tamarind Sauce, or Lemon Juice

Sauce

  • 2 Roma Tomatoes
  • 1 Jalapeno diced
  • 1 Onion Sliced
  • 1 Tablespoon Garlic Minced
  • 1 Tablespoon Ginger Minced
  • 1 Tablespoon Curry Powder
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander
  • 1 teaspoon Thyme

Instructions
 

  • Heat your grill or a pan on your stovetop over medium heat. Grill/brown the chicken legs to just cooked through, about 165 degrees, or about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken to a plate.
  • Heat a heavy bottomed pan or Dutch oven over medium heat and toast the cumin seeds until fragrant (about 2-3 minutes) being careful not to burn.
  • Add the onion, ginger, garlic, and jalapeno to a food processer and chop finely. Add the remaining sauce ingredients and the toasted cumin and blend until well mixed.
  • Reconstitute the Tamarind pulp in ¼ cup of hot water.
  • Add a couple tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy bottomed pan, cast iron pan, or Dutch Oven and heat over medium heat. Add the sauce and fry the sauce for about 5 minutes.
  • Add the grilled or browned chicken to the pan and stir to coat the chicken pieces.
  • Add in the coconut milk and cook for 5-10 minutes. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and continue cooking the chicken until tender or until the sauce is thickened, about 10-20 more minutes.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the tamarind or lemon juice just before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 1016kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 47gFat: 87gSaturated Fat: 46gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 240mgSodium: 1412mgPotassium: 1160mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 594IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 103mgIron: 10mg
Keyword African, chicken, Coconut Milk, cumin, Curry, garlic, ginger, tamarind
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