CHICKEN CAFREAL | CHICKEN CAFREAL GOAN STYLE | HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN CAFREAL

Chicken Cafreal | Chicken Cafreal Goan Style | How To Make Chicken Cafreal | Authentic Goan Chicken Cafreal Recipe | Chicken Cafreal Masala | Portugese Chicken Cafreal | Chicken Recipe

Ingredients for Chicken Cafreal:

(Tsp- Teaspoon; Tbsp- Tablespoon )

- Whole Chicken Legs- 3 (500 gms)

Spices to dry roast:
- Cumin Seeds- 1 tsp
- Black Peppercorns- 1/2 tsp (around 25 peppercorns)
- Cloves- 10
- Cinnamon- 1 small
- Poppy seeds- 1.5 tsp

For the Cafreal Masala:
- Ginger, chopped- 1” (12 gms)
- Garlic cloves- 7-8 (12 gms)
- Green Chillies- 4-5 nos
- Coriander leaves, chopped- 1 cup (25-30 gms)
- Spices fry roasted earlier
- Turmeric powder- 1 tsp
- Salt- 1 tsp
- Tamarind- 4 tbsp thick juice/pulp
- Lemon Juice- 2 tsp
- Sugar - 1 tsp

Other ingredients:
- Oil- 4 tbsp

Preparation:

- Make 3 cuts on the whole legs, 2 on the thighs and 1 on the legs.
- Dry roast the whole spices on low heat for around 3 mins. Set aside and allow it to cool.
- Peel and chop the ginger and garlic. Also cut the green chillies and roughly chop the coriander leaves along with stems.
- Soak the tamarind in warm water for 30 mins to get a thick pulp/juice. Alternatively add readymade tamarind paste but use less since it’s more sour.

- To make the Cafreal Masala paste, first add the whole spices & all other ingredients other than lemon juice, tamarind pulp to coarse grind it into a powder. Next add all the other items and blend it into a smooth paste.
- Remove and set aside.
- Now add the marinade on the chicken legs and mix it well, massaging the same on the gashes.
- Cover and set aside in refrigerator for around 1 hour.

Process:

- Heat oil in a pan and arrange the marinated chicken legs side by side. Fry on medium heat for around 4 mins till browned and then flip the pieces. Continue to fry it on medium heat for 4 mins.
- Now reduce heat to low and fry on low heat for 3 mins on each side till browned and the chicken is tender.
- Now add the balance marinade with 50 ml (or less) water, give a mix and cover and cook on low heat for around 8 mins.
- Remove lid and mix with the gravy. Optionally you may add some melted butter in the end.