Xacuti-Style Chicken with Ground Almonds
Tender chicken simmered in a nutty, aromatic Goan curry with ground almonds, warm spices, and coconut milk. This indian-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs ground almonds, coconut oil, large, finely chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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
- 1.2 pounds, bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup ground almonds
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 large, finely chopped onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1-inch piece, minced ginger
- 1, finely chopped green chili
- 1/2 cup, chopped tomato
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons, chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1/4 cup coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes until golden.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1-inch minced ginger, and 1 chopped green chili; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped tomato, 1 teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Cook for 3 minutes until tomato breaks down.
- Step 4: Add 1.2 pounds chicken pieces, turning to coat. Cook for 3 minutes on each side until browned.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/2 cup ground almonds and 1/2 cup coconut milk. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 25-30 minutes until chicken is tender.
- Step 6: Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt, stir in 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, and serve.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Xacuti-Style Chicken with Ground Almonds take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Xacuti-Style Chicken with Ground Almonds?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground almonds from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Xacuti-Style Chicken with Ground Almonds?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Xacuti-Style Chicken with Ground Almonds for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Xacuti-Style Chicken with Ground Almonds?
Indian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
A perfect balance of flavors. The ground almonds gave the chicken a lovely texture. Highly recommend!
- ★★★★★
This was amazing! My family loved the rich flavor of the almonds and spices. Will make again!
- ★★★★☆
Tasted great, but it took much longer than the recipe said to cook. Otherwise, perfect.
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