Last Updated on September 4, 2021 by Chef Mireille
Kuku – Kenyan Chicken Mung Bean Stew is a perfect meal with rice or chapati. Kenya is an African country with a large Indian population and you can definitely see the Indian influence in this African dish.
African cuisine is very diverse and varied, with different colonial influences from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and England. Additionally, many countries of Africa have large Indian populations including Kenya, South Africa and Uganda (until the Idi Amin dictator in Uganda).
In fact, the first time I realized this was about 10 years ago when I met an Indian person from Kenya although his family was originally from Goa. Vivek spoke perfect Swahili and it was amazing to see him switch from Swahili to his African friends and then back to another language with Indian friends and of course English to me and others. When we all went out, it was like a meeting of the United Nations. This is when I learned how deep and long the history of Indians in Africa is and they have left their mark on the cuisine.
Before we get to today’s recipe, let’s check out some other African dishes I’ve cooked up!
African Recipes
- Kenyan Potato Bhajia
- Githeri – Kenyan Vegetable Bean Stew
- Sosu Kaani – Senegalese Hot Sauce
- Kelewele – Ghanian Fried Plantain
- Tatale – Ghanian Plantain Fritters
- Tunisian Za’atar Plantain
- Tanzanian Chapati
How to make Kenyan Kuku – Chicken Mung Bean Stew
What to serve with Kenyan Chicken Stew
- Steamed Rice
- African Chapati
- Githeri
This a delicious recipe with the sweet coconut milk and using simple, fresh ingredients. The chile adds flavor, without a lot of spice. The thick sauce tastes delicious over Basmati rice.
Kuku – Kenyan Chicken Mung Bean Stew
Ingredients
- 6 skinless chicken thighs
- 1 ¼ teaspoons ground ginger
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 3 oz. green mung beans green gram
- 4 tablespoons oil
- 1 chopped onion
- 3 cloves finely chopped garlic
- 4 finely chopped green chiles
- 5 tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cups coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt, pepper and ginger. Leave to marinate while you cook the mung beans.
- Cook mung beans in a pot of boiling water until tender. Drain and mash.
- In a large pot, heat oil.
- Add chicken and brown on both sides. Remove to a plate.
- Discard half of the oil.
- Add onion and garlic. Cook until softened.
- Add chiles and tomatoes. Cook for 10 minutes, until softened.
- Add lemon juice, coconut milk, mung beans, 1 cup water and chilantro. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
- Add chicken and simmer for 30 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.
Nutrition
Don’t forget to visit the RECIPE INDEX with over 1000 recipes from around the world including lots of Vegetarian Recipes and Gluten Free Recipes!
Doesn't look pretty but it sounds tasty.
foods in white sauces don't usually photograph wonderfully well, but who can argue with the taste of coconut milk in any food?
Love the photos of the food. Making me hungry!Love the receipes.
Hi, I'm Esra. I like your blog. I also have a blog by which I introduce Turkish and American food recipes. Below I wrote the link for my blog, you may want to visit.
https://meandmyturkishcuisine.blogspot.com/
Kuku is a new to me. Interesting to learn the use of coconut milk and moong beans in Kenyan cuisine. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
I am so amazed at all the similarity between Indian and Kenyan recipes. This is such a great recipe as a side to chapati
yes – there is so much similarity isnt there
The pictures are lovely Mir, a complete meal for meat-lovers!
thanks – yes it was such a treat!
How many tomatoes do you use to make this dish? I’m at the store now getting ingredients and realized it’s not shown😬
I am so sorry. That was definitely an error which I am fixing now. – 5 tomatoes
thank you so much.
I made this dish for our homeschool group when we were studying 🇰🇪 Kenya… They all loved it, even the kindergarteners who can be a little picky. Well done Chef Mireille💗
I am so happy to hear that and that it was enjoyed by all of the kids