Galinha à Africana (Macanese African Chicken)
In short: Spatchcocked chicken marinated in garlic, paprika and chili, roasted until crisp and brushed with a spicy coconut and peanut sauce. A Macanese classic. It takes about 1 h 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 1 h 5 min
- Resting
- 4 h
- Total
- 1 h 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 610 kcal
African chicken is the dish most often named as Macanese. A whole chicken is flattened, marinated with garlic, paprika and chili, then roasted until the skin is dark and blistered. A sauce of coconut milk and peanut butter, hot with chili, is spooned over at the end. The mix of Portuguese roasting and Southeast Asian coconut and heat is typical of the cuisine. Serve with rice or roast potatoes.
Instructions
- Spatchcock the chicken by cutting out the backbone with kitchen scissors, then press it flat. Mix the garlic, paprika, chilies, vinegar, oil, salt and pepper and rub it all over, under the skin as well. Add the bay leaves, cover and marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Heat the oven to 220°C (425°F). Place the chicken skin side up on a rack set in a roasting tin.
- Roast for 45 to 50 minutes until the skin is dark golden and the thickest part of the thigh reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Meanwhile, simmer the coconut milk, peanut butter, garlic, paprika, chili flakes, sugar and salt in a small pan for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring, until thick and glossy. Stir in the lime juice.
- Brush half the sauce over the chicken and return it to the oven for 5 minutes to set. Rest the chicken for 10 minutes.
- Carve and serve with the remaining sauce and steamed rice or roast potatoes.
Tips
- Marinate overnight if you can. The vinegar and garlic season the meat well and help the skin brown.
- Chicken thighs and drumsticks work too. Roast them for 40 to 45 minutes at the same temperature.
Questions and answers
How spicy is African chicken?
Medium to hot. The heat depends on the chilies, so use fewer or milder ones for a gentler version.
Why is it called African chicken?
The name is a Macanese tradition, and the dish reflects the chilies and spices Portuguese traders carried between continents. The exact origins are debated.
What do you serve with it?
Rice, roast or fried potatoes, and a cucumber salad. The sauce is also good with bread.
How long does it take to make Galinha à Africana (Macanese African Chicken)?
About 1 h 30 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 1 h 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Galinha à Africana (Macanese African Chicken)?
About 610 kcal per serving, with 42 g of protein, 6 g of carbohydrates and 46 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 610 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 42 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Fat | 46 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
