Goan Chicken Cafreal

Goan Chicken Cafreal

Goan Chicken Cafreal

Cafreal is a spicy marinade for chicken consisting of cilantro, green chilies, and spices that is widely consumed in the Indian state of Goa. Cafreal was introduced to Indian cuisine from Portuguese colonists settling in Africa.
Preparation is fairly simple. The chicken needs to marinate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to achieve maximum flavor. It is then sautéed, then let to stew for 25 minutes. The marinade will start to cling to the chicken. It is then finished off with a little bit of vinegar, bringing out more flavor to the chicken. You can even marinate a whole chicken in the marinade and roast in the oven.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Marinating Time4 hours
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: Chicken, Indian, main course, South Asian
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

Marinade

  • 1 cup cilantro
  • 2 green chilies
  • 1 tbsp coriander seeds
  • 1/2 cinnamon stick
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
  • 5 whole cloves
  • 5 green cardamom seeds

Goan Chicken Cafreal

  • 2 lbs bone in chicken thighs skinned; cut into 3-4 pieces
  • 2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 tbsp vinegar
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  • Marinate the chicken pieces in the ginger garlic paste for 30 minutes.
    Indian, main course, chicken
  • Purée the marinade ingredients in a food processor or immersion blender. Add the marinade to the chicken. Marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
    Indian, main course, chicken
  • Heat up cooking oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add in the chicken pieces along with all og the marinade. Sear on all sides for 8-10 minutes.
    Indian, main course, chicken
  • Add a 1/4 cup of water. Cover and simmer over medium heat for 25 minutes. The marinade will reduce down and salt to cling to the chicken.
    Indian, main course, chicken
  • Season with salt. Add in the vinegar and cook uncovered for 8 more minutes.
    Indian, main course, chicken
Indian, main course, chicken