Huku (Zimbabwean Road Runner Chicken Stew)
In short: Free-range chicken browned and simmered with onion, tomato, garlic and mild curry spice until tender, the Zimbabwean celebration stew eaten with sadza. It takes about 2 h 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 50 min
- Total
- 2 h 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 285 kcal
Huku is the Shona word for chicken, and road runner chicken stew is the dish people cook when guests arrive. Free-range village chickens are lean and full of flavor but need slow cooking, so the pieces are browned, then simmered with onion, tomato and garlic until the meat is tender and the gravy is thick. A little mild curry powder is common. Serve it with sadza and greens for a proper Sunday meal.
Instructions
- Season the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat and brown the pieces in batches, 4 to 5 minutes per side, until deep golden. Set aside.
- Add the remaining oil to the pot and cook the onions for 6 to 8 minutes, until soft and golden. Stir in the garlic, curry powder and paprika and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the tomatoes and tomato paste and cook for 8 minutes, stirring and mashing, until they form a thick sauce.
- Return the chicken to the pot with the water and the remaining salt. Cover and simmer on low heat for 60 to 75 minutes, until the meat is very tender and the thickest piece reaches at least 74°C (165°F).
- Uncover and cook for the last 10 minutes, until the gravy has reduced and clings to the chicken. Taste, adjust the salt and sprinkle with coriander if using.
- Serve hot with sadza and a side of greens.
Tips
- If you cannot find free-range chicken, use bone-in thighs and drumsticks and cut the simmering time to 40 minutes. Breast meat dries out in a long stew.
- Brown the chicken properly and let the onions cook until sweet. These two steps give the gravy its depth.
Questions and answers
What is road runner chicken?
It is the Zimbabwean name for free-range village chicken. The birds are active and lean, so the meat is firmer and more flavorful than supermarket chicken and needs longer cooking.
How long does free-range chicken take to cook?
Plan on 60 to 75 minutes of simmering, until the meat is very tender and the thickest part reaches at least 74°C (165°F). Supermarket chicken pieces take about 40 minutes.
What should I serve with huku?
Sadza and a green relish such as muriwo une dovi are the classic partners. Rice and boiled potatoes also work.
How long does it take to make Huku (Zimbabwean Road Runner Chicken Stew)?
About 2 h 10 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Huku (Zimbabwean Road Runner Chicken Stew)?
About 285 kcal per serving, with 34 g of protein, 9 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 285 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 34 g |
| Carbohydrates | 9 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
