Go Back

Mari Waalo Margho (Fiji Gujarati Black Pepper Chicken)

Print Recipe
Mari waalo margho means pepper chicken in Gujarati — mari is pepper, margho is chicken. The soy sauce isn't traditional to Gujarati cooking. But my grandmother and I both grew up in Fiji, surrounded by Chinese, Fiji Indian and Fijian communities. That kind of crossover just happened at the table. She put soy sauce in the marinade. I've added Shaoxing wine. The base is Gujarati. The soul is Fijian.
Course Main Course
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • Chicken
  • 1.5 kg whole chicken chopped — or drumsticks, or a mix of thighs and wings

Marinade

  • 3 tbsp yoghurt
  • 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine optional
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp crushed garlic
  • 1 tsp crushed ginger
  • 1 tsp crushed black pepper adjust to taste
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp oil

For Cooking

  • 3 tbsp oil
  • 2 cinnamon quills
  • 1-2 cayenne chillies halved (optional, adjust to taste)
  • 1 sprig Curry leaves optional
  • 2-3 potatoes cut into wedges
  • 1 brown onion cut into wedges
  • 1 green capsicum cut into cubes

Instructions

  • Combine all marinade ingredients and coat chicken well. Marinate overnight if possible.
  • Heat oil in a wide pan or pot. Add cinnamon quills, chilli and curry leaves if using.
  • Add marinated chicken and potato wedges together. Cook on medium heat for 40 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes are tender.
  • Add onion wedges and capsicum. Cook for a further 5 minutes.
  • Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Turn off heat and rest briefly before serving.