African Kuku Paka Recipe – East African Coconut Grilled Chicken
African Kuku Paka is a rich, flavorful grilled chicken dish coated in a creamy, spiced coconut sauce. It’s smoky, zesty, and packed with vibrant East African flavors—perfect for dinner parties or a comfort meal!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs 700 g chicken thighs or drumsticks (bone-in for juiciness, boneless for convenience)
- 1 lemon juice + zest
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp ginger grated
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 chili chopped (optional, for spice)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Coconut Sauce:
- 1 tbsp oil coconut or vegetable oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 tomato diced (or ½ cup canned crushed tomatoes)
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 can 14 oz / 400 ml coconut milk (shake well before using)
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix the chicken with lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cumin, coriander, chili, salt, and pepper. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes (or overnight for deeper flavor).
Grill or Pan-Fry the Chicken
- Heat oil in a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside.
Prepare the Coconut Sauce
- In the same pan, sauté the onions until golden brown. Add tomatoes and turmeric, cooking until the tomatoes soften. Pour in the coconut milk and simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Combine Everything
- Add the grilled chicken to the coconut sauce and let it soak in for about 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.
Notes
- Serve with rice, chapati, or naan
- Pair with steamed vegetables or a cucumber salad