Spiced Chicken and Spinach Delight
Experience a delightful blend of tender chicken and vibrant spinach in this Spiced Chicken and Spinach Delight. Infused with aromatic spices and complemented by the richness of yogurt, this curry not only delivers bold flavors but also packs a nutritious punch. It's a family favorite in our household, especially for my daughter, who believes that eating her greens gives her strength—just like Popeye! Perfect for a satisfying dinner, serve this dish over fragrant basmati rice or with warm naan for a complete meal.
N/A
Servings
450
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken, jointed and skinned
3 lbs (cut into pieces)
turmeric
1 teaspoon (ground)
ground fennel
1 teaspoon (ground)
ground coriander
1 teaspoon (ground)
chili powder
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
oil
4 tablespoons (for frying)
onions
2 medium (chopped)
fresh ginger
1 inch piece (grated)
garlic cloves
3 cloves (crushed)
salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (to taste)
water
3 fluid ounces (for cooking)
butter
2 ounces (for sautéing)
garlic cloves
2 cloves (chopped)
curry leaves
8 leaves (fresh or dried)
cumin seed
1/2 teaspoon (whole)
fennel seed
1/2 teaspoon (whole)
dried red chilies
2 (chopped)
fresh spinach
1 lb (washed and chopped)
plain yogurt
4 tablespoons (for serving)
garam masala
1/2 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Begin by cutting the chicken into manageable pieces: separate the legs from the thighs and slice each breast lengthwise into two pieces.
2
In a mixing bowl, combine turmeric, ground fennel, ground coriander, and chili powder. Add 3 tablespoons of water to create a smooth spice paste.
3
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions, grated ginger, and crushed garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes or until the onions turn golden brown.
4
Lower the heat and stir in the spice paste, cooking it for another 5 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons of water to the bowl containing the spices, swirl to collect any remaining spices, and pour this liquid into the skillet. Cook for an additional 3 minutes.
5
Raise the heat to medium-high and add the chicken pieces. Stir-fry for approximately 4 minutes, or until the chicken changes color.
6
Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of salt and add 3 fluid ounces of water. Bring to a boil, then cover with a lid. Reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes.
7
In a separate pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Incorporate chopped garlic, curry leaves, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, and dried red chilies. Stir for a quick minute, then add spinach along with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Sauté for around 5 minutes until the spinach wilts.
8
Combine the sautéed spinach with the chicken mixture in the skillet. Mix well, cover, and allow to cook together for another 20 minutes.
9
Finally, stir in the plain yogurt and garam masala. Cook uncovered for 6 minutes, stirring frequently to ensure even distribution of the yogurt and spices.
Nutrition Information
12.5g
Carbs
43.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spiced Chicken and Spinach Delight?
It is a nutritious and flavorful curry featuring tender chicken, fresh spinach, aromatic spices, and a creamy touch of yogurt.
How many calories are in one serving of this dish?
One serving contains approximately 450 calories.
Is this recipe high in protein?
Yes, it is very high in protein, providing 43.5g per serving.
How much chicken do I need for this recipe?
You will need 3 lbs of chicken, jointed and skinned, then cut into manageable pieces.
What spices are used to make the initial spice paste?
The spice paste is made using turmeric, ground fennel, ground coriander, chili powder, and a small amount of water.
How much spinach is required?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of fresh spinach, which should be washed and chopped.
What are the total carbohydrates in this recipe?
This dish contains 12.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
How long should the chicken simmer initially?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, cover and simmer the chicken for 20 minutes.
What is the final step in the cooking process?
The final step is to stir in plain yogurt and garam masala, then cook uncovered for 6 minutes while stirring frequently.
What aromatics are used in the first sauté step?
The first sauté involves chopped onions, grated fresh ginger, and crushed garlic cloves.
How do I prepare the spinach before adding it to the chicken?
Sauté the spinach in butter with garlic, curry leaves, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, and dried red chilies for about 5 minutes until wilted.
What can I serve with Spiced Chicken and Spinach Delight?
This dish is best served over fragrant basmati rice or with warm naan bread.
How much yogurt is added to the curry?
4 tablespoons of plain yogurt are stirred in at the end of the cooking process.
What type of chilies are used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder in the paste and 2 chopped dried red chilies for the spinach sauté.
How much garlic is needed in total?
You will need 3 crushed cloves for the main curry and 2 chopped cloves for the spinach, totaling 5 cloves.
What kind of oil is recommended for frying?
The recipe calls for 4 tablespoons of oil, suitable for frying over medium heat.
How long do the chicken and spinach cook together?
Once combined, the chicken and spinach mixture should be covered and cooked together for an additional 20 minutes.
Is there butter in this recipe?
Yes, 2 ounces of butter are used specifically for sautéing the spinach and whole spices.
What whole spices are used in the spinach preparation?
Whole cumin seeds and whole fennel seeds are used in the spinach sauté.
How many curry leaves should I use?
The recipe requires 8 fresh or dried curry leaves.
What is the total salt content mentioned?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt in total: 1 teaspoon for the chicken and 1/2 teaspoon for the spinach.
How do I prepare the ginger?
Use a 1-inch piece of fresh ginger and grate it before sautéing.
How do I cut the chicken breast for this dish?
Each chicken breast should be sliced lengthwise into two pieces.
What temperature should I use for the final 6 minutes of cooking?
The heat should remain medium to medium-low while cooking uncovered with the yogurt.
Can I use ground ginger instead?
The recipe specifies fresh ginger for the best flavor, but you can substitute ground ginger in a pinch.
Is the chicken skin-on or skinless?
The chicken should be skinned before cooking.
How long should the onions be sautéed?
Sauté the onions for about 5 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
Why is water added to the spice paste bowl?
Water is swirled in the bowl to collect any remaining spices so that no flavor is wasted.
Is this recipe considered spicy?
It is moderately spiced due to the chili powder, dried red chilies, and aromatic ginger and garlic.
When should I add the garam masala?
Garam masala is added at the very end along with the yogurt to preserve its delicate aroma.