Chicken Xacuti

A traditional dish from the Goa region of India, Chicken Xacuti features a wonderfully complex and delicious array of flavors!

📝 Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds diced chicken meat ((dark meat produces the most flavor))
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 yellow onions (, diced)
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• For the Masala Paste:
• 1 cup shredded dried coconut (, toasted in a dry skillet until lightly browned)
• 4 dried red chilies (, seeds removed and broken into pieces)
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 1/2 tablespoons coriander seeds
• 10 black peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon carom/ajwain seeds (, if unavailable use more cumin and coriander)
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 6 whole cloves
• 1 2 inch piece cinnamon stick
• 4 whole star anise
• 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon ground mace (, can substitute nutmeg)
• 4 cloves garlic (, minced)
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Make the Masala Paste: Place all of the spices in a small, dry skillet over medium heat and toast until fragrant, 4-5 minutes. Do not burn them or they will be bitter. Let them cool completely and then grind them to a powder in a spice grinder. Place the ground spices in a small food processor along with the toasted coconut, garlic, ginger and some oil and process to a smooth paste. Set aside until ready to use.
2. 2In a large skillet, heat the coconut oil over medium and add the onions. Cook until caramelized and nicely browned, 15-20 minutes. Add the chicken and cook until no longer pink. Add the masala paste and the tamarind and cook for a couple more minutes. Add the chicken broth and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the cilantro and salt to taste.Serve with steamed jasmine or basmati rice and/or naan with some cucumber raita.