Chicken and Taro (Moa mo e Talo)
The Quirky Foodster Team

Ingredients
- Chicken pieces, bone-in — 800 g (1.75 lb)
- Taro, peeled and cubed — 500 g (1 lb 2 oz)
- Coconut milk — 360 ml (12 fl oz)
- Onion, chopped — 1
- Garlic, minced — 2 cloves
- Oil — 2 tbsp
- Water — 480 ml (16 fl oz)
- Salt and pepper — to taste
Method
- Heat the oil in a large pot and brown the chicken pieces on all sides; set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté the onion and garlic until softened.
- Return the chicken to the pot, add the water, and bring to a boil.
- Cover and simmer for 20 minutes until the chicken is nearly cooked through.
- Add the taro and coconut milk, and continue simmering for 20–25 minutes until the taro is tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.
Introduction: Chicken pieces simmered with taro and coconut milk until tender, a comforting one-pot main for the family table.
Cultural Background: Combining chicken with taro, the island's most important root crop, reflects the practical, coconut-rich cooking style found across Niue, feeding a family with what's readily available.
Tips: Browning the chicken first adds a deeper flavour to the finished dish. Cut the taro into even pieces so it cooks through at the same rate.
Variations: Add chopped taro leaves for extra vegetables and traditional flavour. Use bone-in thighs for extra flavour and moisture.
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in a covered pan over low heat with a splash of water, stirring occasionally, until hot throughout.
FAQs:
Q: Can I use boneless chicken?
A: Yes, though bone-in pieces add more flavour to the cooking liquid.
Q: Is this dish spicy?
A: No, it is mild by default, though chilli can be added to taste.
- Chicken pieces, bone-in — 800 g (1.75 lb)
- Taro, peeled and cubed — 500 g (1 lb 2 oz)
- Coconut milk — 360 ml (12 fl oz)
- Onion, chopped — 1
- Garlic, minced — 2 cloves
- Oil — 2 tbsp
- Water — 480 ml (16 fl oz)
- Salt and pepper — to taste

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