Baked Chicken With Attieke (Cassava Couscous)
"Attieke" the traditional Ivory Coast cuisine paired with baked chicken and "Moyo" sauce will definitely blow your mind.
Ingredients
- 1 Whole Chicken
- 30 oz Attieke (1 bag) Usually found at International Supermarkets in the frozen section. It also comes in a box similar to couscous.
- 1 Large Green bell pepper
- 1 Large Yellow bell pepper
- 1 Large Red or Orange bell pepper
- 3 Large Firm Tomatoes
- 3 tbsp Tomato paste
- 4 Stalks Scallions
- 1 Bunch of Cilantro
- 1 Head of Garlic
- 3 tbsp Chopped fresh Ginger
- 2 Large Onions
- 5 Small Green chilies or Thai Chili Adjust based on taste
- 2 & 1/2 Lemons
- 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tbsp Herbes de Provence
- 2 tbsp “Epice de poulet” Chicken Spices Optional
- 4 tbsp Olive oil
- 4 & 1/2 tsp Salt Adjust as per your taste
- 2 & 1/2 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
Chicken Preparation
- Blend in a food processor scallions, 1 tomato and half onion cut into pieces, garlic, ginger, cilantro (save few stalks for sauce Moyo), 4 green chilies, Herbes de Provence, paprika, 2 tbsp. olive oil, 1 tbsp. salt, 1 tsp black pepper, juice of 2 lemon, and "Epice de Poulet". After all ingredients are mixed please taste, make necessary adjustments, add tomato paste then mix with a spoon before setting aside.
- Clean the chicken, pat dry, make small cuts (to allow the marinade to penetrate well) all over the chicken then rub it with the mixture. For best results, ensure the marinade goes in all incisions and let it marinate for at least two hours before cooking or overnight for enhanced flavor.
- Thirty minutes to an hour before cooking take out the chicken from the fridge and let it cool off to room temperature. Preheat oven at 380 F then bake it on an ovenproof pan for about 45min to an hour depending on the size of the chicken baste with the juices released while baking then low broil for about 7 min on each side until golden brown. The bird should be about 164 degrees Fahrenheit to be considered done.
- Remove from oven then cover with aluminum foil then set to the side to rest.
Attieke Sauce "Moyo"
- In a bowl, add chopped onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, 1chili pepper, and cilantro. Then mix in 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp. olive oil and juice of half a lemon. If you wish, please make necessary adjustments to the seasoning per your taste.
Cassava Couscous - Attieke
- The Attieke usually comes frozen, we recommend thawing it for couple of hours in the fridge or at room temperature. Put attieke in a microwavable bowl, break lumps with fingers until all grains are separated.
- In a small bowl add 1/2 cup water, 1/2 tsp salt, stir and mix half of the liquid with the attieke. Microwave covered with a clean kitchen towel for 5 minutes, remove fluff with a fork, and check to see if it's soft. Add the rest of the liquid, mix well then microwave for another 5 minutes.
- After removing from microwave, fluff, add 1 tbsp. olive oil, 1/2 tsp black pepper mix well and it's ready to eat.