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    Home » African dishes

    East African Kuku Paka Recipe

    Dated: February 7, 2021 . Modified: Mar 31, 2022 by Kate Hahnel

    Jump to Recipe

    This East African Kuku Paka recipe is the absolute best! Chicken pieces are tenderly marinated in spices, grilled, then served in a flavorful coconut sauce.

    A picture of a plate of East African Kuku Paka.
    East African Kuku Paka Recipe

    We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites, at no extra cost to you.

    This is certainly a great recipe to add to your summer grill or make when you simply want to enjoy some grilled chicken with friends or family. In addition to my Sukuma Wiki, Pilau Masala, and Samaki wa Kupaka recipes, this is one of the many recipes I learned to make from my mother and I am so happy to be able to finally share it with you today.

    Kuku Paka is a Swahili chicken recipe that basically refers to grilled chicken in coconut sauce. It is a recipe that is particularly popular in East Africa, especially in Kenya, and Tanzania. In terms of origin, Kuku Paka has Indian, Arabic, and African influences. In Kenya, it is particularly popular in the coastal towns of Mombasa and Lamu, where the Swahili culture is prevalent.

    Traditionally, Kuku Paka is made using a charcoal grill (which goes by the name jiko). Now, if you know a bit about East Africa, then you certainly have heard of or seen some jikos. However, more and more people are using electric grills or the oven to grill their chicken. Also, bone-in chicken cuts are used to make it but some versions include boneless cuts such as the chicken breast.

    watch how to make kuku paka

    Here is a video showing you how to make Kuku Paka. You will find the full ingredients and instructions provided in the recipe card provided at the bottom of this page.

    serving suggestions and storing leftovers

    Kuku Paka is traditionally served with rice, ugali, chapati, or mukimo. We also like to enjoy our Kuku Paka with:-

    • Pili pili ya kukaanga
    • Kenyan Pilau
    • Kachumbari

    Store your leftover chicken in suitable containers in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 3-4 months.

    more tasty dishes to try

    • Classic Kenyan Beef Stew Recipe
    • Kenyan Soft Mandazi Recipe
    • Mishkaki Recipe (Mshakiki)
    • The Best Kenyan Githeri Recipe
    • Butterfly Roast Chicken with Herbs
    • Healthy Minced Beef Recipe
    • Chermoula Sauce (Paleo, Keto)
    • Easy Cilantro Chimichurri Sauce

    Great news, you have made it this far which means you probably made or are making this recipe! It would go a long way if you could leave a ⭐rating on the recipe card or comment in the comments section below.

    Feel free to follow me on my social channels! Tag me @weeatatlast (formerly paleolowcarbkate) on Instagram, pin it on Pinterest, or like my Facebook for the latest updates! Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel or Newsletter for regular recipe notifications!

    A picture of a plate of East African Kuku Paka.

    East African Kuku Paka Recipe

    Kate Hahnel
    The Best East African Kuku Paka recipe! Chicken pieces are tenderly marinated in spices, grilled, then served in a flavorful coconut sauce.
    5 from 16 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Marination 30 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 20 mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine African, swahili recipes
    Servings 4
    Calories 709 kcal

    Equipment

    mixing bowls
    Cutting board
    Cooking pot

    Ingredients
      

    MARINADE

    • 1 full medium-sized chicken (skinless and bone-in or, your preferred cut, such as the breast).
    • 1 ½ tablespoon tablespoon olive oil (or favourite cooking oil).
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder (ground turmeric)
    • 1 ½ tablespoon lemon juice
    • juice of half a lemon to clean the chicken
    • 1 tablespoon ginger finely minced
    • 1 tablespoon garlic finely minced
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon red chili powder optional
    • 1 teaspoon coriander powder (ground cilantro)
    • 1 teaspoon cumin powder (ground cumin)

    TO MAKE THE COCONUT SAUCE

    • 2 tablespoon suitable cooking oil (olive oil, coconut oil or your preferred choice of cooking oil)
    • 1 medium-sized onion (finely diced or julienne sliced)
    • 1 large bell pepper (chopped)
    • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder (ground turmeric)
    • ⅓ cup tomato paste
    • ½ teaspoon ginger (finely minced or crushed)
    • ½ teaspoon garlic (finely minced or crushed)
    • 1 ½ tablespoon lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 ½ cups coconut cream canned
    • ½ teaspoon cumin powder (ground cumin)

    Instructions
     

    KUKU PAKA MARINADE

    • Clean the chicken by filling a large pot or bowl with water and squeezing in the juice of half a lemon. Alternatively, you can clean the chicken by patting it dry using a paper towel.
      Next, cut the chicken to servable pieces, trim off excess fat from the chicken, and make diagonal slits on the surface to allow the marinade to penetrate through. Transfer the prepared chicken pieces to a bowl.
      juice of half a lemon
    • To the bowl with the chicken pieces, add lemon juice, minced garlic, ginger, black pepper, red chili powder, coriander, cumin, turmeric and salt. Stir in the olive oil then give it a good mix to combine.
      Cover, place in the refrigerator and allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight for best results.
      1 ½ tablespoon tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 ½ tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon ginger, 1 tablespoon garlic, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon red chili powder, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, 1 full medium-sized chicken

    GRILL THE CHICKEN

    • Preheat the grill to between medium and medium-high. If using a coal grill or jiko, make sure that the flames are not too hot.
      Remove the chicken from the fridge while the grill is heating and allow it to come to room temperature. This will allow the chicken to get the right internal temperature, and not to overcook on the outside while the inside is still too cold.
      1 full medium-sized chicken
    • Once the grill is hot enough, brush the chicken pieces with some cooking oil on both sides and lay them on the grill. Grill for about 5 minutes then flip and grill on the other side for another 5 minutes.
    • Continue to alternate sides for a total MINIMUM time of at least 25 minutes or until the chicken pieces have attained an internal temperature of 180 degrees F (82 degrees F). The FDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
    • Once cooked through, set the chicken pieces aside and proceed on to prepare the sauce. You can cover them with foil paper so they do not cool too much.

    COCONUT SAUCE

    • Place a non-stick pot or pan on the stove and allow it to heat under medium heat. Next, add cooking oil and the sliced onions. Fry until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
      2 tablespoon suitable cooking oil, 1 medium-sized onion
    • Add the tomato paste, salt, minced garlic and ginger, turmeric and ground cumin then stir to combine. Add the coconut cream and lemon juice then give it a good mix.
      ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, ⅓ cup tomato paste, ½ teaspoon ginger, ½ teaspoon garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 ½ cups coconut cream, ½ teaspoon cumin powder, 1 ½ tablespoon lemon juice
    • Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and allow the sauce to cook for about 10 minutes, stirring from time to time. Next, stir in the bell pepper and coriander and allow to cook for a further 2-5 minutes.
      1 large bell pepper
    • Lay the grilled chicken pieces on a serving plate and spoon the hot coconut sauce on top. Garnish with chopped coriander or sliced chilli, and serve.

    Video

    Notes

    Useful Tips When Making Kuku Paka:-
    • This recipe uses a whole, skinless, bone-in chicken. Other cuts will also do fine so feel free to use them if you prefer.
    • Cleaning the chicken - cleaning chicken is generally not advised because droplets filled with bacteria could land on other kitchen surfaces and cause contamination. But to truly represent how we make this dish in East Africa, I have decided to include this step. Feel free to skip it, if you prefer.
    • Do not skip marinating the chicken - the oil and the coconut milk help tenderize the meat. Also, marinating allows all the seasoning to sip into the flesh. The lemon juice tenderizes the proteins on the surface of the meat.
    • Grilling - Kuku Paka is normally made using a charcoal grill (which goes by the name jiko), but feel free to use an electric grill or your oven. In this case, do not set the grill on high. Grilling on high only results in a chicken that is quickly grilled on the outside, but not properly cooked on the inside.
    • Minimum internal temperature - the FDA recommends a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F (74 degrees C) but I would say keep an eye on the chicken and make sure the juices are running clear. It is in this case, ok to cook the chicken longer to an internal temperature of 180°F (82°C), as we are using bone-in chicken.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 709kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 47gFat: 52gSaturated Fat: 32gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 126mgSodium: 1169mgPotassium: 625mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 419IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 4mg
    Tried this recipe? I would love it if you could leave a rating by clicking on the stars above on this recipe card.or simply PIN on Pinterest for later!!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. FOODHEAL

      February 15, 2021 at 8:22 am

      5 stars
      Even if I am plant-based, I was driven here by "kuku". This takes me back home. Your recipe looks so yummy and the bright color is really great!

      Reply
    2. Moop Brown

      February 15, 2021 at 3:45 am

      5 stars
      This dish looks so delicious and is definitely something I want to try making. Thanks!

      Reply
    3. Addison

      February 15, 2021 at 3:24 am

      5 stars
      These flavors are amazing! I am definitely going to make this dish again and share with family and friends!

      Reply
    4. Marcellina

      February 13, 2021 at 10:41 pm

      5 stars
      What a gorgeous colour in that sauce! I've never heard of this recipe but can't wait to make it for my family!

      Reply
    5. Marisa F. Stewart

      February 13, 2021 at 9:54 pm

      5 stars
      What a flavorful chicken dish. I couldn't wait to make it this week - and I was so delighted with the taste and ease. We had all of the ingredients and the coconut sauce was amazing. We practically licked the bowl - we didn't want to waste one drop of the amazing sauce. We will be making Kuku Paka again. (I love that name)

      Reply
    6. Leslie

      February 13, 2021 at 12:51 am

      5 stars
      This recipe had me at coconut sauce! Coconut sauce is my favorite sauce with chicken! LOVE!!!

      Reply
    7. Amy Liu Dong

      February 12, 2021 at 1:19 pm

      5 stars
      Wow, this dish looks really good, and seeing this makes me hungry!

      Reply
    8. Kerri

      February 12, 2021 at 2:48 am

      This is jam packed with so much flavor and that's exactly what our family loves! This will be a new staple in our house!

      Reply
    9. Beth

      February 12, 2021 at 12:26 am

      5 stars
      I am making a special dinner for my son and his wife this Saturday and I was so excited to find that I already have all the ingredients to make this - even the coconut cream! It looks and sounds perfect, they will love it (and I'll get to try some too).

      Reply
    10. Amanda Dixon

      February 11, 2021 at 11:57 pm

      5 stars
      This was absolutely divine! The marinade made the chicken unbelievably tender, and the spice mix gave it such an unforgettable flavor. We already are looking forward to making it again!

      Reply
      • Kate Hahnel

        February 12, 2021 at 12:12 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed it. Makes me so happy!

        Reply
    11. HEATHER PERINE

      February 09, 2021 at 10:46 pm

      5 stars
      Putting this in the dinner rotation this week because these flavors look outstanding! And I love trying out new chicken recipes. I can't wait to try the coconut sauce especially!

      Reply
    12. Marta

      February 09, 2021 at 5:54 pm

      5 stars
      Can I be the first to say that in addition to being deliciously flavorful (hello coconut sauce), I found myself obsessed with saying "Kuku Paka" the entire time I was cooking it.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kate! I am here to show you how easy it is to recreate African dishes at home, as well as other simple recipes from around the world.

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