Grilled Goan Spiced Chicken with Kokum Marinade
Juicy chicken marinated in tangy kokum and warm spices, grilled to smoky perfection bringing the flavors of Goa to your plate. This Indian-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, dried kokum petals, warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 600 g chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- 10 dried kokum petals
- 1/2 cup warm water
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- to taste salt
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh coriander leaves
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak 10 dried kokum petals in 1/2 cup warm water for 20 minutes until softened. Blend this soaking liquid and petals with 4 garlic cloves and 1 inch fresh ginger to form a smooth kokum marinade.
- Step 2: Transfer the kokum marinade to a bowl and add 1 tsp red chili powder, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 3 tbsp vegetable oil, and salt to taste. Stir well to combine.
- Step 3: Add 600 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the marinade, coating all pieces thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Step 4: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Lightly oil the grates.
- Step 5: Grill marinated chicken thighs for 6-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken is charred at the edges.
- Step 6: Remove from grill and rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh coriander leaves before serving with a side of lemon wedges and steamed rice or flatbreads.









