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East African Kuku Paka (Coconut Chicken) Recipe

East African Kuku Paka (Coconut Chicken) Recipe

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4.8 from 5 reviews

A rich and flavorful East African coconut chicken dish made with grilled marinated chicken and a spiced, creamy coconut sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Marinade:

  • 1 medium-sized chicken, skinless and bone-in or cut of choice
  • 1 ½ tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 ½ tbsp lemon juice
  • Juice of half a lemon (to clean chicken)
  • 1 tbsp garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger, minced
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • ½ tsp red chili powder (optional)

For the Coconut Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp oil (olive, coconut, or preferred)
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 1 large bell pepper, chopped
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • ½ tsp garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp ginger, minced
  • 1 ½ tbsp lemon juice
  • ⅓ cup tomato paste
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 ½ cups canned coconut milk
  • ½ tsp cumin powder

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: Clean chicken with lemon juice. Cut and slit pieces. Mix with all marinade ingredients. Marinate for 30 minutes or overnight.
  2. Grill the Chicken: Preheat grill to medium heat. Grill chicken for about 25 minutes, flipping every 5 minutes. Set aside.
  3. Make the Sauce: In a pan, sauté onions. Add tomato paste, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cumin, salt, lemon juice, and coconut milk. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add bell peppers and cook for another 2–5 minutes.
  4. Serve: Plate grilled chicken and pour sauce on top. Garnish with coriander or sliced chili.

Notes

  • For deeper flavor, marinate overnight.
  • You can use boneless chicken for quicker cooking.
  • Adjust chili levels to your taste.
  • Author: Martha
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Grilling + Stovetop
  • Cuisine: East African
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 380 kcal
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 680mg
  • Fat: 27g
  • Saturated Fat: 17g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 10g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg