Main Course · Dinner · Caribbean ·

Exotic Polynesian Chicken Luau with Taro Leaf Sauce

Name: Exotic Polynesian Chicken Luau with Taro Leaf Sauce
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 200 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon honey; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger; 10 fresh taro leaves, cleaned and chopped; 1 cup coconut milk; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1 shallot, finely chopped; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro; 1 lime, cut into wedges; Steamed white rice; Grilled pineapple rings

Dive into this deliciously exotic Polynesian dish where tender chicken is enveloped in a savory taro leaf sauce, offering a taste of island festivities.

4.6(872 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·November 9, 2025

Exotic Polynesian Chicken Luau with Taro Leaf Sauce — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

50 min

Cook

2 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Chicken Marinade

For the Taro Leaf Sauce

For Garnishing

For Serving

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 386 kcal
Protein: 25.35 g
Carbs: 33 g
Fat: 18.5 g
Fiber: 3.58 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1545 kcal
Protein: 101.4 g
Carbs: 132 g
Fat: 74 g
Fiber: 14.3 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs	520	80	0	24	0
2 tablespoons soy sauce	20	2	2	0	0
1 tablespoon honey	64	0	17	0	0
2 cloves garlic, minced	9	0.4	2	0	0.1
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger	2	0	0.4	0	0
10 fresh taro leaves, cleaned and chopped	200	10	40	2	10
1 cup coconut milk	450	4	6	48	0
1/2 teaspoon salt	0	0	0	0	0
1/4 teaspoon black pepper	1	0	0	0	0.2
1 shallot, finely chopped	7	0.2	1.7	0	0.3
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro	1	0.1	0.2	0	0.1
1 lime, cut into wedges	11	0.2	3.7	0	1.1
Steamed white rice	200	4	44	0	0.5
Grilled pineapple rings	60	0.5	16	0	2

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Chicken

1
Add chicken thighs
Place chicken thighs in a large bowl.
2
Add marinade ingredients
Add soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the bowl.
3
Marinate
Mix thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Preparing the Taro Leaf Sauce

1
Prepare taro leaves
Wash and chop taro leaves into small pieces.
2
Heat coconut milk
In a saucepan, heat coconut milk over medium heat.
3
Cook sauce
Add the chopped taro leaves, salt, pepper, and shallots. Cook until the leaves are tender.
Tip: Make sure taro leaves are thoroughly cooked, as raw taro can be irritating. Pro Tip: Stir the sauce consistently to prevent the coconut milk from curdling.

How to Make Exotic Polynesian Chicken Luau with Taro Leaf Sauce

Total time: 3 h 20 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Grilling Chicken
Remove chicken from marinade and grill over medium-high heat until fully cooked and juices run clear.
2
Simmering Sauce
Continue simmering the taro leaf sauce until it thickens slightly, adjusting seasoning as needed.
3
Combining Flavors
Add grilled chicken to the sauce, ensuring even coating.