Goan Chicken Cafreal

withwendyandshanno
May 21, 2021
2 min read

Today I’m going to share with you how to make a traditional Goan delicacy, Chicken Cafreal ! This juicy chicken is marinated in a green cafreal masala that is aromatic, delicious and a bit tangy all at once. This Goan Chicken Cafreal recipe brings back fond memories of what my grandma made when my family would visit years ago!

Ingredients

6 Chicken Legs
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt to taste

Green Masala Paste for Marinate

2 tsp Pepper Powder
2 tsp Cumin Powder
1 tsp Turmeric Powder
1 tsp Poppy Seeds
1 tsp Cinnamon Powder
9 Cloves
3-4 Green Chillies
1 Head of Garlic
1 ¼ tbsp Ginger Paste
Tamarind (small ball soaked in a little water)
1 tsp Sugar
1 ½ bunch of Coriander
Water

Potatoes

4 long potatoes

Method

Clean, wash and pat dry the chicken legs. Score the chicken legs and place them in a dish. Season them with lemon juice and salt. Cover with a cling wrap and keep aside while preparing the green masala paste.
In a mixer grinder, add all the ingredients for the green masala paste and grind till you get a nice thick smooth paste.
Apply the paste on the scored chicken legs making sure to get the paste into the cuts on the chicken. Cover once again with a plastic wrap and refrigerate to marinate from 1 hour to overnight for best results.
In a heated skillet, add some vegetable oil and sear the chicken making sure to get some nice colour on both sides. More colour means more flavour.
Once the chicken has got a good sear, cover with a lid and allow it to cook until the internal temperature at the thickest portion of the chicken reaches 165F.
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and place on a plate and allow it to rest.
Fry the remaining marinate and use it to brush over the chicken for additional flavour.
Cut the potatoes into wedges, parboil and then fry in a skillet with some oil until crispy and golden brown.
Plate the Chicken Cafreal with the potato wedges and garnish with finely chopped cilantro. Enjoy!