Kuku Paka
African Chicken Curry
Kuku Paka is a rich and flavorful chicken curry with influences from Indian cuisine, popular in East and Central Africa. It features chicken simmered in a creamy sauce made from coconut milk, tomatoes, and aromatic spices.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken thighs(bone-in, skin-on, cut into pieces)
- 1 large Onion(finely diced)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 cm piece Ginger(grated)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(roughly chopped or blended)
- 400 ml Coconut milk(full-fat)
- 1 tbsp Curry powder
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric powder
- 0.5 tsp Cumin powder
- 0.25 tsp Cayenne pepper(or to taste)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1.25 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
- 40 g Fresh coriander(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
- 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken pieces until browned on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
- 3
Add the diced onion to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
- 4
Stir in the curry powder, turmeric, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
- 5
Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring to break them down.
- 6
Pour in the coconut milk and stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the salt.
- 7
Return the chicken pieces to the pot, ensuring they are mostly submerged in the sauce. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.
- 8
Remove the lid and continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Stir in the lemon juice.
- 9
Serve hot, garnished with fresh coriander. Kuku Paka is traditionally served with rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a spicier dish, add more cayenne pepper or a finely chopped chili pepper along with the garlic and ginger.
- ✓If using chicken breasts, cut them into bite-sized pieces and add them in the last 10-15 minutes of cooking to prevent them from drying out.
- ✓Full-fat coconut milk provides the creamiest sauce.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Some recipes include hard-boiled eggs, halved and added to the sauce during the last few minutes of cooking.
- A tablespoon of tamarind paste can add a pleasant tanginess.