Tongan Passionfruit Chicken
A vibrant and zesty chicken dish marinated in a unique blend of passionfruit, lime, ginger, and spices, then baked to perfection. This recipe captures the tropical essence of Tonga, with a delightful balance of sweet, tart, and savory flavors.
🧂 Ingredients
- 750 g Chicken thighs(bone-in, skin-on)
- 2 medium Garlic cloves(chopped)
- 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger(grated)
- 1 teaspoon Coriander seeds(toasted)
- 0.5 teaspoon Cardamom seeds(toasted)
- 1 cup Vegetable oil(or grapeseed oil)
- 0.25 cup Lime juice
- 0.5 medium Onion(chopped)
- 0.5 cup Passion fruit juice(or fresh pineapple juice)
- 1 tablespoon Coconut sugar(or brown sugar)
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 cup Seasoned rice wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 pinch Nutmeg
- 0.5 cup Fresh coriander leaves(chopped, plus extra for garnish)
- 2 medium Fresh red chillies(thinly sliced)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Trim excess fat from chicken pieces. In a mortar and pestle, grind the garlic, ginger, toasted coriander seeds, and toasted cardamom seeds to form a paste.
- 2
Transfer the paste to a food processor. Add vegetable oil, lime juice, chopped onion, passion fruit juice, coconut sugar, salt, rice wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, nutmeg, and chopped coriander leaves. Blend until smooth. Stir in the sliced chillies.
- 3
Place the chicken pieces in a bowl or zip-sealing bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it's well coated. Cover or seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours.
- 4
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- 5
Remove chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade. Place chicken on a baking sheet or in a baking dish.
- 6
Bake for 25 minutes, or until the juices run clear. While the chicken bakes, gently simmer the reserved marinade in a small saucepan until slightly reduced.
- 7
Remove chicken from the oven, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes. Drizzle the reduced marinade over the chicken and garnish with fresh coriander leaves and extra chillies.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a spicier kick, add more chillies to the marinade.
- ✓If passion fruit juice is unavailable, pineapple juice or even a mix of orange and lime juice can be used.
- ✓This dish can also be made with chicken wings for a party appetizer.
🔄 Variations
- Serve with coconut rice or a simple green salad.