Chicken Vindaloo
AI-generated image
Gluten-free Indian

Chicken Vindaloo

A bold Goan-style chicken curry with vinegar-bright acidity, toasted spices, garlic, and a slow, savory simmer. Serve it with rice or flatbread to catch every drop of the deeply flavored sauce.

70 min 4 servings Medium
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How to prepare

1
Combine the chicken, 30 ml of the vinegar, half the garlic, half the ginger, chili powder, cumin, turmeric, and half the salt in a bowl. Toss until evenly coated, cover, and marinate for at least 20 minutes at room temperature or up to 12 hours in the refrigerator.
2
Heat the oil in a wide, heavy-based sauté pan over medium heat. Add the peppercorns and cumin seeds and fry for 30 seconds, until fragrant and lightly sizzling.
3
Add the onion and remaining salt. Sauté for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until soft and deep golden at the edges. Add the remaining garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute, until aromatic.
4
Add the marinated chicken and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, turning the pieces, until the outside is opaque and lightly browned. Scrape in every bit of the marinade.
5
Stir in the chopped tomatoes and water. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened.
Chicken vindaloo simmering in a glossy red-brown sauce AI-generated image
6
Uncover and simmer for 5 minutes more if the sauce is thin. Stir in the remaining 30 ml vinegar and taste, adding a little more salt or vinegar if needed. Confirm the thickest chicken piece reaches 74°C.
7
Rest the curry off the heat for 5 minutes so the sauce settles, then serve hot with rice or flatbread.
Chicken vindaloo served with basmati rice and naan AI-generated image

Why this recipe works

Marinating the chicken with vinegar, garlic, ginger, and spices seasons it deeply while tenderizing the surface. Toasting the whole spices and simmering the curry slowly builds a layered sauce with the characteristic bright, savory tang of vindaloo.

Storage and reheating

How to store it

Cool within two hours, then refrigerate in a covered container for up to 3 days. The flavor improves overnight.

How to reheat it

Reheat gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat with a splash of water, stirring occasionally, until steaming hot throughout and the chicken reaches 74°C.

Nutrition / serving

578kcal
54.75 gprotein
14.55 gcarbs
33.13 gfat
P
Pantryvale editorial kitchen
Recipe prepared for publication with complete ingredients and ordered cooking steps.
Published 20 Aug 2026 · updated 20 Aug 2026