Akabenz (Rwandan Fried Chicken)

Akabenz is a popular Rwandan dish consisting of crispy and flavorful fried chicken. This dish is loved for its juicy and tender meat, paired with a crispy outer coating.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 pounds (900 grams) chicken pieces
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Steps

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and dried oregano. Mix well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
2. Coat each piece of chicken with the seasoned flour mixture, making sure to shake off any excess.
3. Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. The oil should be hot but not smoking.
4. Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil, ensuring they are not overcrowded in the pan. Fry in batches if necessary.
5. Fry the chicken for about 6–8 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) for the chicken to be fully cooked.
6. Once cooked, transfer the fried chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
7. Serve immediately while still hot and crispy.

More recipes with flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano or chicken

Adapted from “Akabenz (Rwandan Fried Chicken)” in the Wikibooks Cookbook by its contributors, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Reformatted for this site; this page's recipe text is shared under the same license.