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.
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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.
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📖 Recipe
East African Kuku Paka Recipe
Video
Equipment
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.
Notes
- 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.
FOODHEAL
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!
Moop Brown
This dish looks so delicious and is definitely something I want to try making. Thanks!
Addison
These flavors are amazing! I am definitely going to make this dish again and share with family and friends!
Marcellina
What a gorgeous colour in that sauce! I've never heard of this recipe but can't wait to make it for my family!
Marisa F. Stewart
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)
Leslie
This recipe had me at coconut sauce! Coconut sauce is my favorite sauce with chicken! LOVE!!!
Amy Liu Dong
Wow, this dish looks really good, and seeing this makes me hungry!
Kerri
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!
Beth
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).
Amanda Dixon
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!
Kate Hahnel
I am so glad you enjoyed it. Makes me so happy!
HEATHER PERINE
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!
Marta
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.