Geera, or cumin, is a popular spice used in many dishes in Trinidad and Tobago. It adds a warm and earthy flavor to meats and vegetables, making it a staple in local cuisine. One method of cooking with geera is to “geera” or roast the spice before adding it to your dish. This process intensifies the flavor of the cumin and gives it a slightly nutty aroma. In this recipe, I will be demonstrating how to geera chicken.
This is a great alternative for those who do not consume pork. The process involves marinating the chicken in a blend of spices, including geera, for several hours before roasting it in the oven. The end result is tender and flavorful chicken with a subtle, yet distinct cumin taste. This dish is perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends and is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Course: Meats
Cuisine: East Indian
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Chicken parts back and neck, gizzard etc.
- 2 tbsp. geera cumin
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 small onion chopped
- 3 leaves chadon beni
- 1 sprig of chive
- 1 pimento
- water
- fine leaf thyme
- 1 hot Pepper scotch bonnet
- Salt to taste about 1/4 tsp.
Instructions
- Wash and season the meat with the salt thyme, chadon beni, onion, pimento, chive and 2 of the garlic cloves (chopped).
- Add the curry. Mix thoroughly and leave to marinate for about an hour.
- Saute the other two cloves of garlic in some oil and add the meat. Add the pepper. Add water and allow meat to cook. When almost done, add the geera and mix well.
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Recipe © Simply Trini Cooking. All rights reserved
Geera Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Chicken parts back and neck, gizzard etc.
- 2 tbsp. geera cumin
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 small onion chopped
- 3 leaves chadon beni
- 1 sprig of chive
- 1 pimento
- water
- fine leaf thyme
- 1 hot Pepper scotch bonnet
- Salt to taste about 1/4 tsp.
Instructions
- Wash and season the meat with the salt thyme, chadon beni, onion, pimento, chive and 2 of the garlic cloves (chopped).
- Add the curry. Mix thoroughly and leave to marinate for about an hour.
- Saute the other two cloves of garlic in some oil and add the meat. Add the pepper. Add water and allow meat to cook. When almost done, add the geera and mix well.