Entree: Macau – Galinha à Africana (Macanese spicy braised chicken in a creamy coconut-peanut and chili sauce)
Serving Size: 4
Approximate Time
Prep
20 min
Cook
40 min
Total
1 hr
Ingredients
- 6 bone-in chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks), approx. 6 oz (170 g) each
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil or peanut oil
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced, about 8 oz (225 g)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced, about 12 g
- 1 tbsp (6 g) fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) piri-piri or other hot sauce (adjust to heat preference)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) smoked paprika
- 1 tsp (5 g) ground turmeric
- 2 tbsp (30 g) tomato paste
- 1 cup (240 ml) coconut milk
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) water or dry white wine
- 1/4 cup (60 g) smooth peanut butter
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) lemon juice or white vinegar
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp (5 g) salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 tsp (1 g) black pepper
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken pieces dry and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large heavy skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and brown the chicken on all sides until golden, about 6–8 minutes total. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pan, reduce heat to medium and add the sliced onion. Sauté until softened and beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Stir in the piri-piri, smoked paprika, turmeric, and tomato paste; cook 1–2 minutes to bloom the spices. Add the coconut milk, water or wine, peanut butter, soy sauce, lemon juice, and bay leaves; whisk to combine into a smooth sauce.
4. Return the browned chicken to the pan, nestling pieces into the sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook until the chicken is cooked through and tender, about 25–30 minutes. Uncover during the last 10 minutes if you prefer a slightly thicker sauce.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Remove bay leaves, sprinkle with chopped cilantro, and serve hot with steamed rice or crusty bread.
