Chicken xacuti is a flavorful Goan chicken curry from Goa, India. Also known as Chicken Shagoti, it is made with chicken, freshly ground xacuti masala, and coconut. Serve this chicken curry with Bread, Pav, Poli or Rice.
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Total Time45 minutesmins
Course: Main
Cuisine: Goan, Indian
Servings: 6people
Author: Preeti
Equipment
1 Mixing bowl
1 Deep bottom pan/Kadhai
Ingredients
To make green masala
1-inchgingerroughly chopped
20small garlic cloves
2green chiliesadd as per your spice preference
1cuptightly packed coriander leaves with stems
To marinate the chicken
1kgchicken, curry cut
1tablespoonlemon juice
½teaspoonturmeric powder
salt to taste
green masala
To make Xacuti masala
1teaspoonblack peppercorns (if you prefer less spicy add ½ teaspoon black peppercorns)
½teaspooncumin
8cloves
1tablespooncoriander seeds
½star anise
1teaspoonfennel
2petal of mace
1-inchcinnamon
2green cardamoms
a small piece of nutmeg
8byadgi red chilies(or kashmiri red chilies)
2teaspoonoil
2onionsliced
1wholegrated coconut
1tablespoonpoppy seedsKhus-khus
To make Goan chicken curry
3teaspoonoil
1smallonionchopped
Instructions
Preparations
Making green masala - In a mixer/grinder jar, add ginger, garlic, green chilies, coriander leaves and ¼ cup of water. Grind to a fine paste. Keep it aside.
Marinate the chicken - In a mixing bowl add chicken, lemon juice, turmeric powder, salt and green masala. Combine and marinate the chicken for an hour. Cover and keep it in the refrigerator.
Making Xacuti masala
In a deep bottom pan, dry roast black pepper, cumin, cloves, coriander seeds, star anise, fennel, mace, cinnamon, green cardamoms, nutmeg and red chilies over low heat until aromatic. Remove and keep it aside on a plate to cool down.
Heat 2 teaspoon of oil over medium heat. Add onion slices and sauté until lightly golden. Now, add grated coconut to the pan and roast it until the coconut is lightly golden.
Next, add poppy seeds (Khus-khus) and roast until the coconut is golden. Remove and keep it aside on a plate to cool down.
Transfer the roasted ingredients to a mixer/grinder jar. Add water and grind to a fine paste. Xacuti Masala is ready.
Making the Chicken Xacuti Recipe
Heat 3 teaspoon of oil over medium heat.
Add onion and saute until golden.
Next, add the marinated chicken. Cook it, uncovered for 5 minutes.
Now cover and cook it until chicken is cooked. Stir it in between as required.
When the chicken is cooked, add xacuti masala to it.
Add water to adjust the consistency of the gravy. Cover and cook until it comes to a boil.
Taste and add salt as per taste.
Cover and cook on medium-low heat for 10-15 minutes. Oil will float on the surface. It is an indication that the masala is cooked.
Chicken Xacuti is ready to serve.
Serve with Pav or Poli or steamed rice.
Video
Notes
Dry roast all the ingredients on low to medium heat. Make sure to stir them often so that they get roasted evenly and to avoid the burning of spice.
Deseed the dried red chilies to reduce the spiciness.
Marinating the chicken keeps the chicken tender and juicy. Also, enhances the flavor.
Try to make this curry at least 1-2 hours in advance. The curry tastes better the next day. The flavors get enough time to combine.
Add a very small piece of nutmeg. If you do not have it skip it. Do not add more as it can make the masala bitter.