Umu Chicken

Umu Chicken

Umu Chicken (OO-moo CHIK-en)

Earth Oven Roasted Chicken

Prep Time 30 min
📈 Difficulty Hard
👥 Servings
6
🔥 Calories 368 kcal

Whole chicken wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked in an earth oven with hot stones.

Nutrition & Info

360 kcal per serving
Protein 34.0g
Carbs 4.0g
Fat 24.0g
Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

earth oven banana leaves stones

Presentation Guide

Vessel: banana leaf

Garnishes: onion

Accompaniments: taro, yam

Instructions

  1. 1

    Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic.

  2. 2

    Stuff cavity with onion.

  3. 3

    Pour coconut cream over chicken.

  4. 4

    Wrap in taro leaves, then banana leaves.

  5. 5

    Place in earth oven on hot stones.

  6. 6

    Cover and cook 3 hours until tender.

💡

Did You Know?

The umu (earth oven) is used for every major celebration in Tonga, from weddings to royal feasts.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

  • earth oven
  • banana leaves
  • stones

Garnishing

onion

Accompaniments

taro, yam

The Story Behind Umu Chicken

The umu earth oven is central to Tongan cooking culture. Digging the pit, heating the stones, and preparing the food is a communal activity that brings families together.

Chicken cooked in the umu absorbs smoky flavors from the banana leaves and develops incredibly tender, falling-off-the-bone texture.

Umu cooking represents the heart of Tongan food traditions.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed feasts, celebrations 📜 Origins: Ancient

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