Portuguese-African Chicken in Coconut Sauce

Deantini's Note:

Posted for ZWT 5 - Portugese Chicken recipe with influences from Africa.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 4 lbs chicken , pieces
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¾ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 onion , chopped
• 4 garlic cloves , chopped
• 2 tablespoons hot red pepper , seeded and minced
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 3 tablespoons peanut butter
• ¼ cup fresh coriander (or parsley)

Directions:

1. Season chicken with ¼ tsp each of the salt and pepper; set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 425°F.
3. In large skillet, heat half of the oil over medium-high heat; sauté onion, garlic and hot pepper until softened, about 4 minutes.
4. Stir in tomato paste, paprika, 2 tbsp water, ginger and remaining salt and pepper; cook for 1 minute, stirring.
5. Stir in coconut milk and peanut butter; let cool slightly.
6. Transfer to food processor; purée until smooth. Set aside.
7. Wipe out skillet; add remaining oil and heat over medium-high heat. Brown chicken, in batches, about 5 minutes.
8. Transfer to roasting pan; cover with 1 cup of the sauce. Roast in 425°F oven for 30 minutes, basting twice.
9. Mix remaining sauce with coriander and pour over chicken; cook until juices run clear when chicken is pierced, about 12 minutes.

Reviews

[rayvin]

I have been making this for years. It is absolutely wonderful. Love it !!!

[bigbadbrenda]

I liked this and so did my husband. The only thing I did differently was put 1 tbsp peanut butter and I used the whole can of coconut milk. I thought it would be very hot but it was just right. thanks for posting.

[Chocolatl]

The chicken itself was very moist and tender. The heat level in the sauce was about right, but there wasn't enough sauce even though I used only three pounds of chicken. I had to add some additional water to keep it from scorching.