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East African Kuku Paka – Creamy Coconut Chicken with Smoky Spice

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Kuku Paka is a creamy, smoky East African coconut chicken curry made with garlic, ginger, green chilies, and spices simmered in a rich coconut-tomato sauce. Perfect with rice or chapati.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1.5 lbs chicken thighs or breasts

  • 1 tsp turmeric

  • 1 tsp cumin

  • 1 tsp coriander

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

  • 1 tbsp plain yogurt or coconut milk

  • Salt and pepper

  • 2 tbsp oil

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

  • 2 tomatoes, chopped (or 1 cup crushed tomatoes)

  • 1–2 green chilies, chopped

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)

  • 1 cup full-fat coconut milk

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (to finish)

  • Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Marinate chicken with turmeric, cumin, coriander, lemon juice, yogurt, salt, and pepper. Let sit 30 minutes.

  2. Sear chicken until golden. Set aside.

  3. In same pan, sauté onion until soft. Add garlic, ginger, tomatoes, and chilies. Cook until thickened.

  4. Add spices, coconut milk, and return chicken to pan. Simmer 15–20 minutes until cooked through.

  5. Stir in lemon juice and garnish with cilantro. Serve hot.

Find it online: https://mymommeals.com/east-african-kuku-paka-creamy-coconut-chicken-with-smoky-spice/