African Chicken Recipe

Average Rating:

Categories: African, Main Dish, Poultry

Submitted By: Mabel Menard from Chicago.

African Chicken Notes

This dish was actually invented in the 1940s in Macau, a former Portuguese colony. No one knows for sure why it was named African Chicken, since the chef who originally created it passed away about 30 years later, but it is a possible nod to Portugal's Moorish history. The marinade is very similar to that for Frango Grehaldo (Portuguese grilled chicken), but the idea of using coconut milk for the basting sauce probably came from Goa, another former Portuguese colony.
Ingredients
  • 1 small fryer chicken, approximately 4 pounds
  • For the Marinade:
  • 8 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 bay leaves, finely crumbled
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 hot chile peppers, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • For the Basting Sauce:
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 can (16 ounces) coconut milk
Serves / Yields

4
Preparation Instructions

To prepare the chicken, remove the vertebrate by cutting along either side with kitchen shears. Break the breast bone if necessary so the chicken can lay flat. Mix all ingredients for the marinade together. Rub the chicken with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Let the chicken sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before ready to broil. Mix together the ingredients of the basting sauce. Start the oven broiler and baste the skin with the coconut sauce. Place chicken skin side up on a roasting rack about 8" under the broiler. Baste frequently and broil for an hour. When ready, the chicken should be blackened on top and moist underneath.
Helpful Hints

I use finger hot peppers, but jalapenos would work just fine. I personally like red hot peppers, but those are hard to find.

Quick Shopping List


Turkish Bay Leaves, Whole or Powdered
Whole, in a resealable bag
1/2 ounce bulk bag
$1.99
Hungarian Sweet Paprika
Ground, in a glass shaker jar
1/2 cup shaker jar, net wt. 2.5 oz.
$3.99
Kosher Flake Salt
3 lbs. 		$3.49
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Maria H. Said:

I am glad someone posted this recipe, I have been to Macau and tried this original recipe in a colonial restaurant in the 70s and have been missing it ever since I moved to Seattle. I think the chef who created it owns the restaurant in Macau, I am not sure if the restaurant is still there. It's a unique experience. I paired it with a very light Rose wine.

Rating:
Make it Again? Maria H. would make this recipe again.

Liz E. Said:

need to have weights not sizes as they differ in different regions

Rating:
Make it Again? Liz E. would make this recipe again.