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Kuku paka with chapatis

Kuku paka is a Kenyan chicken dish, for 4 people, ready in 1 hour 5 minutes, medium difficulty, about €3 per person. The chicken thighs are grilled first, then simmered in a coconut milk sauce with curry and tomato. The key to success is browning the chicken well before it goes into the sauce, which keeps a smoky flavor.

Tonight, Kenyan chicken, first grilled then simmered in a coconut curry tomato sauce, with soft chapatis on the side.

Kuku paka with chapatis
Total time
1 h 05
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€3.00
Calories per person
640 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Kuku paka pairs two textures, well browned chicken skin and a creamy coconut sauce seasoned with curry and brightened by tomato. Ginger and garlic build the base, fresh cilantro and lemon lift everything at the end. Soft chapatis are made for scooping up the sauce, and they're often what kids love most.

This is a dish for an evening when you have a bit of time ahead of you, or a Sunday if you want to brown the chicken properly and knead the dough without rushing. It works just as well for kids, who love dipping chapatis, as for guests curious about something different from the usual curry chicken.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Chicken thighs 8

Pantry

  • Coconut milkoften in the pantry 40 cl
  • Curry powderoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Flouroften in the pantry 300 g
  • Oiloften in the pantry 5 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 2 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Tomatoes 4
  • Onions 2
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Fresh ginger 1 piece
  • Fresh cilantro 6 sprigs
  • Lemon 1

Allergens Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Brown the chicken thighs under the oven broiler or in a pan with a tablespoon of oil. 20 min

    The skin should brown deeply.

  2. Sauté the onions, garlic, and ginger, add the curry powder, then the diced tomatoes. 10 min

    Cook the curry for a minute in the oil to wake up the spices.

  3. Pour in the coconut milk, add the chicken back in, and let it simmer covered. 25 min

    The sauce should coat the back of a spoon.

  4. Knead the flour with 2 tablespoons of oil, salt, and warm water into a soft dough, then let it rest.

    The dough should be soft and not sticky.

  5. Roll out thin rounds and cook them in a dry pan, flip them and brush with a little oil, then serve with the chicken, cilantro, and lemon. 15 min

    Stack the warm chapatis in a kitchen towel, they'll stay soft.

Our tips to get it right

  • Take the chicken out of the fridge 20 minutes before grilling it, it browns more evenly that way.
  • Let the chapati dough rest for at least 15 minutes, it will roll out easily afterward instead of springing back.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the chicken back in, that's the right moment to adjust the salt or add a bit more curry.

The variations

  • Swap the chicken thighs for boneless skinless thighs, they cook faster and more evenly.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with chickpeas and zucchini chunks grilled before the sauce.
  • For a quicker kid friendly meal, serve the sauce over rice instead of chapatis, saving about 20 minutes of prep.

What to serve it with

  • Plain basmati rice
  • Cucumber and mint salad
  • Spiced black tea

Storage

Kuku paka keeps 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. The coconut sauce freezes well for up to 2 months, and the chapatis can be frozen separately too. Reheat gently in a pan or over low heat so the chicken doesn't dry out.

Questions about this dish

Can you make kuku paka ahead of time?

Yes, the sauce actually tastes better the next day once the spices have had time to settle in. Make the chapatis just before serving so they stay soft.

Can you substitute the coconut milk?

Light coconut milk works fine, the sauce will just be a bit less rich. Avoid swapping it for cream, since the flavor won't be the same.

Is the curry powder too spicy for kids?

With 2 tablespoons for 4 people, the curry stays mild and fragrant rather than hot. You can use just one tablespoon the first time if you're unsure.

Can you cook the chicken another way besides grilling?

Yes, a hot skillet with a tablespoon of oil works very well. The key is getting the skin well browned before moving on to the sauce.

How long does it take to make a kuku paka with chapatis?

Count 1 h 05 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.

How many calories are in a kuku paka with chapatis?

About 640 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a kuku paka with chapatis cost?

About €3.00 per serving, or €12.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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