Sudanese Kuku bil Zeit (Chicken with Oil)
A rich and flavorful Sudanese chicken dish where chicken pieces are simmered in a generous amount of oil with onions, garlic, and spices, resulting in tender, deeply flavored chicken.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken(cut into pieces (bone-in or boneless thighs/legs recommended))
- 1 cup Vegetable oil(or other neutral cooking oil)
- 2 large Onions(thinly sliced)
- 6 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 inch Ginger(grated)
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Coriander
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric
- 0.25 tsp Cayenne pepper(or to taste)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 0.5 cup Water(or as needed)
- 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- 2
Add the sliced onions and sauté until softened and lightly golden, about 8-10 minutes.
💡 Tip: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. - 3
Add the minced garlic and grated ginger, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- 4
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it darkens slightly.
- 5
Add the chicken pieces to the pot and brown them on all sides in the oil and onion mixture.
- 6
Sprinkle in the cumin, coriander, turmeric, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to coat the chicken.
💡 Tip: Adjust spices to your preference. - 7
Pour in about 0.5 cup of water, or enough to create a simmering liquid. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- 8
Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Let the chicken simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until tender and cooked through.
💡 Tip: Stir occasionally and add a splash more water if needed to maintain a saucy consistency. - 9
Once the chicken is cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- 10
Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.
💡 Tip: Serve hot with rice, couscous, or Sudanese bread (Kisra).
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Don't be afraid of the amount of oil; it's essential for the dish's flavor and texture.
- ✓Ensure the chicken is well-browned to develop a deeper flavor.
- ✓This dish is best served with a starch that can soak up the flavorful oil, like rice or Kisra.
🔄 Variations
- Add a few dried chilies for extra heat.
- Include sliced bell peppers or other vegetables in the last 15 minutes of cooking.