Koklo Mémé (Togolese Grilled Spicy Chicken)

Prep time: 30 minutes (plus 2 hours marinating)

Cook time: 35 minutes

Total time: 3 hours 5 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Country of Origin

Togo

Description

Succulent chicken pieces coated in a pungent ginger, garlic, chili, and red palm oil marinade, grilled to smoky perfection and served with spicy tomato sauce.

Presentation & How It's Eaten

Arranged on a wooden platter with sliced raw red onions, fresh lime wedges, and a side of spicy pepper sauce and fried plantains.

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (about 3.5 lbs), cut into 8 pieces

• 4 tbsp vegetable oil or red palm oil

• 2 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

• 5 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 Scotch bonnet peppers, finely chopped

• 1 tbsp onion powder

• 1 tbsp smoked paprika

• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Step-by-Step Directions

• Prepare Marinade: In a bowl, whisk oil, ginger, garlic, chopped Scotch bonnet peppers, onion powder, paprika, lime juice, thyme, salt, and pepper.

• Marinate Chicken: Score chicken pieces with shallow cuts. Rub marinade thoroughly over chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight).

• Preheat Grill: Heat an outdoor grill or oven broiling rack to medium-high heat (around 375°F / 190°C).

• Grill Chicken: Place chicken on grill, turning every 7–10 minutes and basting with leftover marinade, for 30–35 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

• Rest & Serve: Remove from heat, let rest 5 minutes, and serve warm with lime wedges.

Optional

• Oven Roasted: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 40 minutes if outdoor grill is unavailable.

Cooking Tips

• Scoring Meat: Cutting light slits into thick parts of chicken allows marinade to penetrate to bone.

Nutrition Facts

(Estimated per serving, based on 4 servings)

• Calories: ~410 kcal

• Total Fat: 24g

• Saturated Fat: 6g

• Cholesterol: 125mg

• Sodium: 380mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 4g

• Dietary Fiber: 1g

• Sugars: 1g

• Protein: 42g