Home / Dinner / Tahitian Fafa

Tahitian Fafa

Tahitian fafa recipe: chicken simmered with tender taro leaves in creamy coconut milk. A gentle, fragrant island comfort dish, perfect served over rice.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
Tahitian Fafa

Fafa is the Tahitian word for taro leaves, and the dish of the same name is one of the islands’ great comforts: chicken (or pork) simmered slowly with fafa in coconut milk until the leaves are silky and the broth is rich and green-tinted.

It is mild, sweet and soothing, with tender chicken and a sauce that tastes of coconut and earth. Serve it over steamed rice with a squeeze of lime to brighten it.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Heat the oil in a large pot and brown the chicken on all sides; set aside.
  2. Cook the onion until soft, add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Return the chicken with the coconut milk, stock and salt. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.
  4. Add the taro leaves in handfuls, stirring until wilted. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, until the leaves are silky and the sauce thickens.
  5. Taste, adjust the salt, and serve hot over rice with lime wedges.

💡 Chef tips & storage

If using fresh taro leaves, simmer them fully — they must be thoroughly cooked. A mix of spinach and chard is the easiest substitute.

Rate this recipe

☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
Sign in to rate this recipe.

Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Servings4
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →