As soon as the weather starts cooling off in the fall, I like to make nourishing soups, stews and curries. Today I’m sharing one of the go to chicken dish from north India – Palak murgh. It’s a simple homestyle chicken recipe with the goodness and yummyness of spinach. It requires minimal prep and cook time, yet tastes incredibly delicious and is quite healthy. It’s so good that there are never any leftovers!
Update Jan 2021
See the recipe in action on you tube video.
I know that Indian cooking can be a little intimidating if you are a novice, or new to the cuisine, but it’s not that hard. The flavors are complex but the technique used is quite simple. This recipe is a one pan meal, so start with a large, covered pan or skillet. In the pan, sauté onions, in oil, stirring occasionally until softened. Then add ginger and garlic, and cook everything until nicely golden brown. Next, add in tomatoes and seasonings and, cook. When you see the tomatoes turning soft, that’s your cue to add in chicken and yogurt and, and cook well. Finally, add spinach and cook for 5-7 minutes until everything is combined well.
Spinach releases a lot of moisture and so it needs to be cooked well to ensure the gravy is thick enough to coat the chicken pieces. I use fresh spinach leaves but you may use frozen spinach if that’s what you have on hand. Make sure you thoroughly squeeze out the excess liquid before adding. In my recipe there is no extra water added as the moisture comes from the chicken, yogurt and also from the spinach. If you like a thinner consistency add a little water while it is simmering. There are different versions of this dish. Some recipes call for adding cream, or coconut milk, but the palak murgh made in North Indian homes never use any. If you order this dish in any Indian restaurant you will easily relate to what I am saying here.
The palak murgh can be served with both rice and roti. At our house, I go completely desi style and pair it with tandoori roti and a simple salad. If you’re interested in a vegetarian option for spinach, then do check this Palak Paneer recipe out.
Ingredients
- 3 lb bone in , skinless chicken thighs (cut into 3 pieces)
- 3 bunches fresh spinach (500 gm cleaned and chopped)
- 5-7 green chilies
- 250 g (3) tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup yogurt
- 350 g onion, thinly sliced
- 3 tsp ginger garlic paste
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 2 bay leaves
- 4-5 green cardamom pods
- 1" cinnamon stick
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- salt to taste
Instructions
- In a pan or skillet, heat the oil, and once hot, add the whole spices (bay leaves, cardamom and cinnamon stick). Fry for 20-30 seconds.
- Add the onions and fry till translucent on a medium heat.
- Add ginger and garlic, sauté well until the raw smell goes and the color begins to change.
- Now add chopped tomatoes, green chilies, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix well and let the tomatoes cook, add a splash of water if it begins to stick to the base of the pan.
- Add the chicken pieces and yogurt. Keep stirring making sure to seal the pieces well.
- Turn the heat up slightly and cook the chicken for 8-10 minutes.
- Now, turn the heat to a low setting, stir in coriander powder and garam masala. Put the lid on and cook the chicken for 10-15 minutes. Stir halfway through the cooking process making sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Now add the chopped spinach and simmer on a low heat for a further 5-7 minutes with the lid on. Stir well.
- Turn the heat off. Serve with naan, roti or rice and some salad.
Notes
You can use frozen spinach if fresh is not available
If you make this palak murgh I’d love to know how it turned out for you. Let me know in the comments below, thanks!
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Easyfoodsmith
It used to be my favorite! Now I am a vegetarian. My dad used to always make this in our house. So healthy and so delicious!
Maria
Love palak and meat combo, especially with pulao or simple zeera rice. In Pakistan it’s popularly made with mutton. This delicious recipe with boneless chicken is just perfect for my daughters who don’t eat red meat.
Denise
It looks quite flavorful and comforting. My family loves chicken so I would love to try this dish.
Juliana
Oh Balvinder, this chicken dish with curry and spinach sounds and looks delicious, loaded with flavors…love it! Thanks for the recipe…have a wonderful week!
angiesrecipes
So very flavoursome and tasty…and perfect for the lousy rainy weather we have over here!
John / Kitchen Riffs
Love Indian spinach dishes! Every single one is a winner. This looks terrific — tons of flavor. Thanks!
Kelly | Foodtasia
Balvinder, this curry looks fantastic! My family loves curries and I’m sure they would be crazy about this!
Alida@mylittleitaliankitchen.com
Mmm…mouthwatering. I love this curry, chicken and spinach is a classic, always good.
Emma - Bake Then Eat
The colder weather does have one bonus, it means you can eat cosy warming dishes like this one.