Aigir (Papua New Guinea Chicken and Greens in Coconut Milk)
In short: Chicken, sweet potato, green banana and plenty of greens simmered with ginger in coconut milk, a quick Papua New Guinea one-pot meal. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 580 kcal
Aigir is a quick cousin of the mumu. In Papua New Guinea it is traditionally made in a pot with hot stones dropped into the coconut milk, which is how the dish cooks so fast. Chicken, plantain, sweet potato, greens and ginger come together in about 40 minutes. Without stones, a pot on the stove gives the same creamy, gingery stew. It is homey food, eaten with a spoon and plenty of greens.
Instructions
- Put the chicken, ginger, onion, garlic, salt and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Pour in the coconut milk and add the sweet potato and bananas. Return to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes, until the vegetables are nearly tender.
- Stir in the greens and the chili if using. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until the greens have wilted and the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Taste for salt and serve hot in deep bowls.
Tips
- Choose firm, green bananas or plantains, which hold their shape and give the stew body. Ripe yellow ones turn sweet and mushy.
- Add the greens last so they stay bright. A squeeze of lime at the table lifts the richness of the coconut milk.
Questions and answers
How is aigir different from mumu?
Both use coconut, root vegetables and greens. Mumu is cooked for hours in an earth oven, while aigir is a quick pot dish traditionally made with hot stones in about half an hour.
Can I use pork or fish instead of chicken?
Yes. Pork ribs need about 1 hour of simmering, and firm fish fillets go in for the last 8 minutes.
Can I freeze aigir?
Freeze it without the greens for up to 3 months, and add fresh greens when you reheat it.
How long does it take to make Aigir (Papua New Guinea Chicken and Greens in Coconut Milk)?
About 1 h in total: 20 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Aigir (Papua New Guinea Chicken and Greens in Coconut Milk)?
About 580 kcal per serving, with 39 g of protein, 45 g of carbohydrates and 27 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 580 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 39 g |
| Carbohydrates | 45 g |
| Fat | 27 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
