Arukwe
Chicken and Root Vegetables
Arukwe is a hearty and flavorful dish from Papua New Guinea, featuring chicken slow-cooked with a variety of root vegetables and infused with the rich taste of coconut milk. It's a comforting meal that highlights the staple ingredients of the region.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Chicken pieces(bone-in, such as thighs and drumsticks)
- 500 g Taro(peeled and cut into large chunks)
- 500 g Sweet potatoes(peeled and cut into large chunks)
- 2 medium Plantains(peeled and cut into chunks)
- 1 large Onion(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 tablespoon Ginger(grated fresh)
- 400 ml Coconut milk(full-fat)
- 200 ml Water or chicken broth
- 200 g Leafy greens(such as spinach or kumu, roughly chopped)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
- 2
Add the chopped onion to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 3
Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
Return the chicken to the pot. Add the taro, sweet potatoes, and plantains.
- 5
Pour in the coconut milk and water (or chicken broth). Season with salt and black pepper.
- 6
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it cook gently.
- 7
Add the chopped leafy greens to the pot during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking.
- 8
Continue to cook, covered, until the root vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- 9
Serve hot, traditionally with rice or on its own.
💡 Tip: The natural starch from the root vegetables will thicken the sauce.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can marinate the chicken in salt, pepper, and a little ginger and garlic for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- ✓If you cannot find kumu, spinach, or other local greens, kale or Swiss chard can be used as substitutes.
- ✓Ensure the root vegetables are cut into large, uniform pieces to prevent them from becoming mushy.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other root vegetables like yams or cassava.
- For a spicier dish, add a chopped chili pepper along with the onions.
- A small amount of turmeric can be added for color and a subtle earthy flavor.