Description
Kuku Paka Chicken Curry is a creamy, spiced East African dish with Indian influences, featuring grilled chicken in a coconut-tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on (~250g each)
- 4 chicken drumsticks (~150g each)
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp ginger, minced
- 1 tbsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tbsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tbsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp pure chili powder or cayenne (adjust to taste)
- 400g coconut milk (full-fat)
- 400g crushed canned tomatoes
- 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt (additional)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil in a heavy pot over high heat. Sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 4–5 minutes. Flip and cook for 1 more minute. Remove and repeat with drumsticks, browning 3 sides.
- Reduce heat to medium-high. Sauté onion for 1 minute, then add garlic and ginger. Cook for 30 seconds.
- Add coriander, cumin, turmeric, and chili powder. Stir for another 30 seconds.
- Pour in coconut milk, crushed tomatoes, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Return chicken to the pot, including juices. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Uncover and simmer another 20 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Stir in lemon juice and half of the coriander. Garnish with remaining coriander and serve hot with rice or roti.
Notes
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken for best flavor.
- Chargrill the chicken before simmering for a traditional touch.
- Use full-fat coconut milk for richer flavor.
- Adjust chili level to taste.
- Let the curry rest 10 minutes before serving to deepen flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: East African
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 631 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1062 mg
- Fat: 49 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg
Keywords: Kuku Paka Chicken Curry, Swahili Coconut Chicken Curry, East African Chicken Curry, Coconut Chicken Masala, Spicy Coconut Chicken Curry, Grilled Chicken in Coconut Curry, Creamy Curry with Chicken