Meat, Africa and overseas
Tahitian coconut chicken fafa with rice
Chicken fafa is a Tahitian dish of chicken thighs simmered in coconut milk with spinach, served with rice. For 4 people, it takes 55 minutes and stays easy to make, at €3.00 per serving. The key to success is cooking the coconut milk at a gentle simmer and adding the spinach only at the end.
Tonight we're off to Tahiti with tender chicken fafa simmered in coconut milk and spinach, plus rice to mop up every drop.
- Total time
- 55 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost per person
- €3.00
- Calories per person
- 580 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
- Season
- Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- The kids
- They generally like it
Chicken fafa is a chicken thigh that has simmered gently in fragrant coconut milk, with soft spinach coloring the whole sauce. The taste is mild and round, lightly sweetened by the coconut, lifted by garlic and onion that have softened in the pot. That clingy sauce is the real star, the one you chase around the plate with your last spoonful of rice.
It's a dish that comforts you on a weeknight just as well as on a Sunday, and it goes down easily with kids thanks to its mild flavor. Mon Chou brings you this Tahitian trip without the fuss, with simple steps and ingredients you can find anywhere. Just allow a little patience for the simmering, the rest almost takes care of itself.
The ingredients
Butcher
- chicken thighs 4
Fruits and vegetables
- fresh spinach 600 g
- onion 2
- garlic 3 cloves
Pantry
- coconut milkoften in the pantry 40 cl
- riceoften in the pantry 300 g
- oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
- saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
- pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch
The step by step recipe
-
Split each thigh in two at the joint, salt them, and brown them in the oil in a Dutch oven with the sliced onions. 10 min
Let the skin release on its own before flipping the pieces, it browns much better that way.
-
Add the crushed garlic, pour in the coconut milk and 20 cl of water, cover, and let simmer over very low heat. 25 min
Keep it at a gentle simmer, coconut milk that boils hard splits and turns oily.
-
Wash the spinach, remove the thick stems, and tuck it into the pot, pressing it down with a spoon.
Frozen spinach works too, just add it straight in without thawing.
-
Keep cooking uncovered so the sauce thickens, then adjust the salt and pepper. 10 min
The sauce should coat the back of a spoon, it's what flavors the rice.
-
Meanwhile, cook the rice in a large pot of salted water, then drain it. 11 min
Rinse the rice in cold water before cooking, the grains stay nicely separate.
Our tips to get it right
- Pick chicken thighs with the skin on, it adds fat and flavor to the sauce as it cooks.
- If your sauce still looks too thin after adding the spinach, keep simmering uncovered a few more minutes, coconut milk thickens fast once the water cooks off.
- Always taste the sauce before serving, it's what gives the rice its character, so don't hesitate to adjust the salt at the end.
The variations
- Swap the chicken for peeled shrimp, added only 5 minutes before the end so they stay tender.
- For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with chickpeas or firm tofu browned in a pan before adding it to the coconut milk.
- For picky kids, lightly blend the spinach sauce before serving, it turns smoother and easier to eat with the rice.
What to serve it with
- Plain white rice
- Lime wedges
- Cold lemon water
Storage
Chicken fafa keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well, without the rice, for up to a month. Reheat gently in a saucepan with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
Questions about this dish
Can you make chicken fafa ahead of time?
Yes, it actually tastes even better the next day. Make it the day before, keep it in the fridge, and reheat it gently while you cook the rice fresh.
Can you use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Yes, you can add it straight from frozen without thawing. It cooks along with the sauce and gives just as flavorful a result.
What chicken cut works if you don't have thighs?
Drumsticks work just as well, as long as you keep the skin and bone on so the sauce stays flavorful. Avoid chicken breast, it dries out too fast during simmering.
Does chicken fafa freeze well?
Yes, you can freeze the chicken and its sauce for up to a month in an airtight container. Cook the rice fresh when serving so the grains stay nicely separate.
How long does it take to make a Tahitian coconut chicken fafa with rice?
Count 55 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.
How many calories are in a Tahitian coconut chicken fafa with rice?
About 580 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 Tahitian coconut chicken fafa with rice 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 none of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. Always check the labels of the products you buy.
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