🇲🇻 Maldivian Cuisine

Kukulhu Riha

Maldivian Chicken Curry

Prep Time 1 hour
Servings 4
Difficulty Medium
Calories 436 kcal

Tender chicken pieces simmered in a spiced coconut curry with potatoes, tomatoes, and a fragrant blend of cumin, coriander, and fenugreek.

Ingredients

  • 800g chicken pieces, bone-in
  • 400ml coconut milk
  • 2 potatoes, cubed
  • 2 onions, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 inch ginger, grated
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 10 curry leaves
  • 1 pandan leaf
  • 2 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp coriander powder
  • 1 tsp fenugreek powder
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 2 dried chilies
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  1. 1 Marinate chicken with turmeric, salt, and half the cumin powder for twenty minutes.
  2. 2 Heat coconut oil and fry onions until deeply golden. Add garlic, ginger, curry leaves, and pandan leaf.
  3. 3 Add remaining spices and dried chilies. Cook two minutes until fragrant and the oil separates from the spice paste.
  4. 4 Add chicken pieces and sear on all sides for five minutes. Add tomatoes and cook until softened.
  5. 5 Pour in coconut milk, add cubed potatoes, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook thirty minutes.
  6. 6 Uncover and simmer ten more minutes until the curry thickens, chicken is tender, and potatoes are cooked through.

Did You Know?

Chicken was historically a luxury in the fish-dependent Maldives, so Kukulhu Riha was reserved for honored guests and religious celebrations.

From The Culinary Codex — http://theculinarycodex.com/dish/maldivian/kukulhu-riha/