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Meat, Africa and overseas

Mabawa with fried plantains

Mabawa are chicken wings marinated in garlic, ginger, lemon and chili, then grilled in the oven and served with green plantains fried twice. This easy recipe for 4 takes 55 minutes and costs €2.80 per person. The key is letting the chicken marinate as long as possible and frying the plantains twice so they turn crispy outside and soft inside.

Tonight Mayotte comes to your table with mabawa, marinated grilled chicken wings, and golden fried green plantains.

Mabawa with fried plantains
Total time
55 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.80
Calories per person
750 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Spring, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Mabawa are chicken wings that spend time in a marinade of crushed garlic, fresh ginger, lemon juice, turmeric and chili before hitting the oven. That marinade colors the skin and works its way deep into the meat. Baked then finished under the broiler, the wings come out golden and slightly crispy, with a little heat that keeps you coming back for more.

Alongside, twice fried green plantains bring the perfect contrast, crispy outside and soft inside, with a mild flavor that balances the heat of the chicken. This is a dish for an evening when you have a bit of time, or a relaxed Sunday with the family. Kids usually love the wings, so adjust the chili to their taste.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Chicken wings 1.2 kg

Fruits and vegetables

  • Green plantains 4
  • Garlic 4 cloves
  • Fresh ginger 2 tsp
  • Lemon 2

Pantry

  • Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Chili powderoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Oiloften in the pantry 8 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

The step by step recipe

  1. Mix the crushed garlic, grated ginger, lemon juice, turmeric, chili, 2 tablespoons of oil, salt and pepper, then coat the chicken wings. 1 h

    Massage the wings well so the marinade gets under the skin.

  2. Preheat the oven to 220°C and arrange the wings on a baking sheet, without overlapping.

    A rack set over the sheet keeps the wings from sitting in their juices.

  3. Bake, flipping the wings halfway through, then broil for 3 minutes to brown them. 35 min

    Watch the broiler closely, the sugar in the marinade can burn fast.

  4. Peel the green plantains and cut them into thick rounds.

    Score the skin lengthwise, it comes off in one go.

  5. Fry them in hot oil, flatten them slightly, then fry them a second time until golden and crispy. 12 min

    This double frying makes them crispy outside and soft inside.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick plantains that are really green and firm, not ripe, or they will turn soft and sweet when fried instead of staying crispy.
  • If you are short on marinating time, prick the wings lightly with a knife tip so the marinade soaks in faster.
  • Keep the oil hot and at a good depth for the second fry of the plantains, that is what creates the crispy crust.

The variations

  • Swap the chicken wings for boneless thighs if you want a meatier bite, just adjust the cooking time.
  • For a vegetarian version, marinate and grill slices of eggplant or cauliflower instead of chicken, the marinade works just as well on vegetables.
  • To speed things up for kids, skip the broiler step and fry the plantains only once, less crispy but quicker.

What to serve it with

  • A spicy tomato dip
  • A cool cucumber salad
  • Fresh lime juice

Storage

Keep the chicken wings and plantains in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The raw marinated chicken freezes well, but the fried plantains lose their crispiness once frozen. Reheat the chicken in the oven to keep it crispy, and the plantains in a pan.

Questions about this dish

Can I use regular bananas instead of green plantains?

No, regular bananas are too sweet and soft to fry this way. Green plantains have a firm, starchy flesh that is essential for that crispy result.

Can I make the mabawa marinade ahead of time?

Yes, you can mix the marinade the night before and coat the wings in the morning for dinner. The chicken only gets more flavorful the longer it sits, up to 24 hours is fine.

How do I know when the plantains are fried enough?

They should be golden and firm after the first fry, before being flattened and fried again. The second fry should give them a fully golden, crispy crust.

Can I cook the chicken wings in a pan instead of the oven?

Yes, cook them over medium heat with a little oil, turning often, for about 25 minutes. The result will be slightly less crispy than oven baking with a broiler finish.

How long does it take to make mabawa with fried plantains?

Count 55 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in mabawa with fried plantains?

About 750 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 mabawa with fried plantains cost?

About €2.80 per serving, or €11.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains none of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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