Saag Wala Chicken or Palak Chicken

4.36 from 65 votes

Saag Wala Chicken or Palak Chicken

Delicious Palak Chicken is a fantastic melody of spinach, chicken, and aromatic spices. This creamy dish is sure to become your next family favorite. Busy weeknight dinners – just got better!

Prep: 30

Cook: 30

Marinate Time3

Total: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Indian

Servings:

Calories: 278kcal

Author: Ruchi

Ingredients

BLANCH SPINACH

1 kg Fresh Spinach blanched

MARINATE CHICKEN

1 Lb Boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 ½ inch in thickness
2 tablespoons Yogurt
½ teaspoon Deggi Mirch or Red chili Powder
1 teaspoon Coriander powder
1½ teaspoons Kasoori methi/ dried fenugreek leaves
½ teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
- - Salt to taste
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
1½ tablespoon Ghee to cook chicken

FOR GRAVY

3 tablespoons Mustard Oil
3 pieces of Moti Elaichi (Black cardamom)
2 pieces of Bay leaves
½ teaspoon Cumin seeds
3 medium Onions pureed
1 tablespoon Garlic paste
1 tablespoon Ginger paste
2 small Green chilies crushed (optional)
3 medium Tomatoes pureed
½ teaspoon Deggi Mirch or Red chili Powder
¾ teaspoon Garam Masala Powder
¾ teaspoon Coriander powder
1 tablespoon Kasoori methi/ dried fenugreek leaves
Salt to taste
1½ tablespoons Cream optional

GARNISHES

- - Butter

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

STEP 1: BLANCH SPINACH

Clean and trim spinach leaves. Wash them thoroughly under cold water.
Boil water in a pan. Add spinach rinsed spinach leaves to it and let it boil for 2-3 minutes.
After the boiling time is over, use a slotting spoon to remove the spinach leaves from water and immediately plunge it into a large bowl full of ice water.
This will stop the cooking process. Remove spinach from water and tightly squeeze out all of the excess water from the spinach leaves. Form a small ball and store it in a Ziploc bag. Freeze for future use.
Transfer the blanched spinach to a blender and blend until smooth. Blanched spinach is ready. Set it aside.

STEP 2: MARINATE CHICKEN

In a large mixing bowl, combine yogurt (thick hung curd) with red chili powder, coriander powder, kasoori methi, garam masala, salt, and lemon juice. Whisk until combined.
Place the chicken cubes in a deep dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken cubes.
Rub the marinade all over the chicken cubes making sure it is well coated. Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours.

STEP 3: COOK THE MARINATED CHICKEN

After the resting time is over, heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan. Add the marinated chicken to the pan.
Continue cooking on medium-high heat, frequently stirring until the chicken is cooked. Remove from heat, and set aside.

STEP 4: ASSEMBLING SPINACH AND CHICKEN TOGETHER

Heat mustard oil in a pan. Mustard oil has a very strong flavor. Therefore, to get rid of that pungent flavor, cook mustard oil to its smoking point and take it off the flame. Let it cool.
When ready to make the masala – slightly warm the mustard oil and add whole spices and cumin seeds to the pan.
As the seeds start to crackle, add onion and ginger-garlic paste. Mix to combine. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the oil starts to separate.
Stir in the tomato puree. Mix to combine.
Stir in all the spices - coriander powder, chili powder, kasoori methi, garam masala, and salt. Mix until combined.
Cook the tomatoes for another 3-4 minutes or until the oil separates.
Pour in the blanched spinach puree. Stir to combine.
Add chicken pieces to the blanched spinach. Cook for another 3-4 minutes on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
Finally, add the cream. Give it a gentle stir and take it off the flame.
Serve hot with warm rotis, naan or white rice.

Notes

Storing Palak Chicken

This recipe makes delicious leftover lunches! To store, transfer the cooled chicken to a sealed container and refrigerate. This chicken can last in the refrigerator for three to four days.

Can you freeze Palak Murgh?

Absolutely! Palak (spinach) chicken freezes beautifully. To freeze, transfer the cooled chicken to an airtight container and freeze for up to two to three months.

The best part is, you can freeze palak chicken in individual-sized portions, too.

Recipe tips and variations about Saagwala Chicken!

» Allow ample time for marinating - at least 3 to 4 hours. If you have time on hand, you can even marinate up to 8 hours in the fridge. Marination will help the chicken to soak up all the wonderful flavors as it tenderizes.

» Mustard oil adds a depth of flavor to this dish but, feel free to use any other oil as a substitute.

» I have used boneless chicken in my recipe, but feel free to use chicken legs or chicken thighs as a substitute.

» Chicken can be swapped with mutton, but the overall cooking time will vary as lamb takes longer to cook.

» I have prepared my fresh onion-ginger-garlic tomato base, but you can use a pre-made bhuna masala too to make this recipe.

» For extra creamy palak chicken, swap cream with cashew cream or yogurt. Cashew cream will lend a rich, velvety texture to the chicken.

» Serve palak chicken with boiled rice, tandoori roti, or naan.

Nutrition