About Chicken Vindaloo
Vindaloo is a traditional spicy Goan curry known for its fiery red colour and tangy flavour. The name originates from the Portuguese dish Carne de Vinha d’Alhos, meaning meat cooked with wine. Over time, Goan cooks adapted the recipe by adding local spices and vinegar, creating the famous Vindaloo curry that has become a pride of Goan cuisine. Despite the name, Vindaloo has nothing to do with potatoes (aloo).
Ingredients
- 500 g chicken, washed and cut into pieces
- 5–6 dry Kashmiri red chillies, soaked in water (deseeded for a milder curry)
- 1 tbsp hot chilli powder (optional)
- 2–3 garlic cloves
- ½ inch ginger
- 5–6 black peppercorns
- ½–1 tsp dry roasted cumin seeds
- 2–3 cloves
- Small piece of cinnamon
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 1–2 tbsp vinegar (Goan vinegar or malt vinegar)
- 1 tbsp tamarind pulp
- 1 large onion, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp oil
- Sugar or jaggery (optional)
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Soak the dry Kashmiri red chillies in water for 15–20 minutes.
Grind together the soaked chillies, garlic, ginger, roasted cumin, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, and black pepper into a smooth paste. You may use vinegar while grinding, or water if preferred.
Add 1–2 tablespoons of the prepared Vindaloo masala to the chicken along with salt.
Marinate for a few hours.
Reserve the remaining masala for later.
Grind the onion in the same grinder jar along with the remaining masala.
Heat oil in a pan.
Add the onion-masala mixture and sauté for 1–2 minutes.
Add the remaining Vindaloo masala along with the marinated chicken.
Add tamarind pulp and salt.
Cover and simmer over low heat until the chicken is cooked, about 30 minutes depending on the chicken.
Check occasionally and add water if required.
Adjust the seasoning.
Add jaggery or sugar if desired.
Your spicy Chicken Vindaloo is ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions
Serve hot with steamed rice or chapatis.
The curry tastes even better the next day.
It has been served here with spinach rice, ciabatta, pickled onion, and radish.
Enjoy!
SPICE LEVEL: 🌶🌶🌶
