Moa Fa’alifu (Samoan Chicken in Onion Coconut Cream) – Authentic Samoa Recipe
Succulent pan-seared chicken simmered in Samoa’s signature onion-infused coconut sauce.
- Country of Origin
- 🇼🇸 Samoa (Polynesia, Oceania)
- Dietary Profile
- omnivore
- Prep Time
- 15 min
- Cook Time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Signature Staples
- Seared chicken thighs, Sweet onions, Taro or potato chunks, Lolo (rich coconut cream), Garlic
Ingredients for Moa Fa’alifu (Samoan Chicken in Onion Coconut Cream) (4 Servings)
- 1.25 lbs (or 2.5 cups) seared chicken thighs, prepped into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 cups sweet onions, washed and trimmed
- 1 cup taro or potato chunks
- 1 medium onion and 3 cloves garlic, finely minced with lolo (rich coconut cream)
- 1.5 tbsp traditional Samoa seasoning (garlic, ginger, black pepper)
- 2.5 cups rich culinary stock or aromatic cooking liquid, plus 2 tbsp cooking oil
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Heat oil in a heavy Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat; brown seared chicken thighs for 5 minutes.
- Add minced onion, garlic, lolo (rich coconut cream), and garlic, ginger, black pepper, stirring for 2 minutes until deeply aromatic.
- Add sweet onions and pour in the braising liquid; bring to a lively simmer.
- Cover and braise over medium-low heat for 20–22 minutes until meltingly tender and the sauce is rich and glossy.
- Stir in taro or potato chunks right before serving warm.