Henan Akondro sy Voanio
Chicken with Banana and Coconut
A comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a rich coconut milk sauce with the subtle sweetness of ripe bananas. This recipe highlights the Malagasy use of tropical fruits in savory dishes.
🧂 Ingredients
- 800 g Chicken thighs(bone-in, skin-on)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 2 medium Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tbsp Ginger(freshly grated)
- 2 large Ripe bananas(peeled and sliced)
- 400 ml Coconut milk(full-fat)
- 200 ml Chicken broth
- 1 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Curry powder
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
- Cooked rice(for serving)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper.
- 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides until golden. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
- 3
Add the chopped onions to the pot and sauté until softened and lightly browned.
- 4
Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 5
Stir in the turmeric and curry powder, and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
- 6
Pour in the coconut milk and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- 7
Return the browned chicken to the pot. Add the sliced bananas. Stir gently to combine.
- 8
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender, and the sauce has thickened slightly. Stir occasionally.
- 9
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- 10
Serve hot over cooked rice, garnished with fresh cilantro.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use ripe but firm bananas to prevent them from disintegrating completely.
- ✓For a spicier dish, add a pinch of chili flakes or a finely chopped chili pepper with the garlic and ginger.
- ✓If the sauce is too thin, you can simmer it uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce.
- ✓This dish can also be made with other types of poultry or firm fish.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a handful of spinach or other leafy greens in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- Incorporate a splash of lime juice at the end for brightness.
- A small amount of ground peanuts can be added for extra texture and flavor.