Chicken and Eggs in Golden Curry (Kuku Paka)
A flavorful dish blending Indian and Swahili influences, featuring tender chicken and eggs simmered in a rich coconut milk curry.
Time: 1¼ hours (45 minutes active) plus marinating
Makes: 6 servings as part of a multicourse family-style meal
Ingredients
- Two 13½-ounce cans coconut milk, divided
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves), divided
- 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger (from a 1-inch piece), divided
- 1½ teaspoons salt, divided
- 3- to 4-pound broiler-fryer chicken, skinned and cut into 12 to 14 pieces; or 3 pounds chicken parts (bone-in thighs and drumsticks)
- ¼ cup loosely packed cilantro leaves, chopped
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 3 red or green Thai chilies, cut into thin rounds
- 6 hard-boiled eggs
Instructions
1 Marinate Chicken:
- In a large bowl, combine 1 can of coconut milk, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, and 1 teaspoon salt.
- Add chicken pieces and coat evenly with marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, preferably 12 hours.
2 Broil Chicken:
- Preheat broiler with rack positioned 4 to 6 inches from heat source.
- Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Place chicken on a broiler rack set over a foil-lined baking pan.
- Reserve leftover marinade. Broil chicken for 8 to 10 minutes on each side until nicely browned. Remove pieces as they finish to avoid overbrowning.
3 Prepare Curry:
- In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, combine leftover marinade, remaining coconut milk, garlic, ginger, salt, cilantro, turmeric, and chilies.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat. Add broiled chicken and hard-boiled eggs.
- Simmer over low heat, turning chicken and eggs once or twice, until golden yellow and sauce is absorbed, about 30 minutes.
4 Serve:
- Serve immediately with freshly steamed basmati rice.
Notes
- Variation: Substitute chicken with pork or beef for different flavors.
- Storage: Kuku paka tastes even better the next day as flavors meld.
- Side Dish Idea: Enjoy with boiled corn or a fresh vegetable salad.
This Kuku Paka recipe offers a delightful fusion of flavors, perfect for sharing with family and friends in a hearty meal setting.
