Cochin Coriander-Cumin Chicken for Passover

- Total Time
- 60 minutes, plus 2 hours’ or overnight refrigeration
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- Seeds from 4 cardamom pods or ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- 5 to 6cloves or ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- 5 to 6peppercorns or ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 3½tablespoons coriander seeds or 3 tablespoons ground coriander
- 11-to-2-inch cinnamon stick, broken into pieces, or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½teaspoon anise seeds
- 1teaspoon cumin seeds or 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½teaspoon salt
- 2tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3large onions, cut into large chunks
- 3pounds (9 to 12) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3tomatoes, peeled and roughly chopped, or 1 15-ounce can whole tomatoes
- 4 to 5curry leaves (available in Indian or spice markets)
- 2tablespoons white vinegar (see note)
- 12-inch piece fresh ginger
- 4 to 5garlic cloves
- 1cup cilantro leaves, chopped
- ½cup mint leaves, chopped
- 2 to 3(or to taste) serrano or other small fresh green chiles, stemmed, seeded and minced
Preparation
- Step 1
If using whole spices, heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add the cardamom, cloves, peppercorns, coriander seeds, cinnamon stick, anise seeds and cumin seeds; stir until the seeds start to pop, about 3 minutes. Grind them in a small blender, coffee grinder or mortar and pestle along with the nutmeg, turmeric and salt. If using ground spices, simply mix them all together in a small bowl. Rub the mixture into the chicken, transfer to a plastic bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Step 2
In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the onions and sauté until golden. Add the chicken and sauté for 1 minute. Add tomatoes, curry leaves, vinegar and ½ cup water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook, covered, until the chicken is soft and cooked through, about 20 minutes.
- Step 3
In a food processor, blend the ginger, garlic, cilantro, mint and 2 of the chiles. Taste and add more chiles if desired. Stir into the chicken and simmer for another 5 minutes. Serve over rice, if desired.
- There are imitation white vinegars that are kosher for Passover on the market, such as Liebers brand.
Private Notes
Comments
Even without the curry leaves, this was a big hit with my seder crowd of 18! I did mainly use the whole spices, which I roasted and ground, and then marinated the meat over night. I doubled the recipe and think I have one piece of chicken left and there was a delicious brisket on the menu as well. Definitely a keeper for a crowd!
Because Sepharadim can eat rice during Passover. It's only Ashkenazi Jews who don't.
Delicous and easy. I used everything I had in our spice cabinet but didn't have all items on the list (no curry leaves) and only was able to sneak in 1 hr to marinate the chicken. Added vermouth and squeeze of half lemon, as well as a tsp smoked paprika and half red onion to marinade. Used boneless thighs because it's what I had in the fridge. Served with Tatziki on the side. Will definitely make it again.
Used more or less recommended amount of spice for 1.65lbs chicken thighs. Used more water and added potato. I like the large onion pieces. Did not blend the herbs but just chopped fine. Estimated amount of vinegar and used rice vinegar. I would double or even triple the herbs next time. Very good.
The first time I made this it was soooo good BUT the leftovers were lackluster because all the fresh herbs and chiles were so linger fresh and bright. The second time I made it, I saved those elements to stir in before serving. That did the trick! This is very delicious. I did not have curry leaves.
So good! I did not add any water. Just 1/2 lemon juice and vinegar. I also cheated with only 1 hour of marinading time. I let it simmer longer. Was delish!