Methi Chicken Recipe | Methi Malai Chicken | Murgh Methi Malai
Delicious methi chicken recipe with step by step pictures. Methi chicken gravy | Murgh methi malai is a decadent and luxurious Mughlai dish prepared with chicken and fresh methi (fenugreek) greens simmered in a rich creamy curry.
Ingredients
Measuring cup used, 1 cup = 250 ml , 1 teaspoon = 5 ml
- 1.45 lbs / 625 grams bone-in chicken
- 1 cup yogurt
- 1 tsp red chilli powder/cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder/paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tbsp coriander powder
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tbsp kasuri methi, dry roasted and crushed between palms
- 1 & 1/2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
- 2 cups chopped onion
- Whole garam masalas (1 bay leaf, 1-inch cinnamon, 4-5 green cardamom, 2 black cardamom & 4 cloves)
- 3 cups tightly packed chopped methi (fenugreek leaves)
- 8-10 cashew nuts, soaked in warm water for 10-15 minutes and ground to a paste
- 2-3 green chillies, add more for more heat
- 1/2 cup heavy cream/ malai
- salt to taste
- 4 tbsp ghee
- 1 tbsp oil
Instructions
- Wash and pat dry the chicken well. Cut it into 2-inch pieces and transfer to a large bowl. Add yogurt, red chilli, kashmiri chilli powder, turmeric, cumin- coriander, crushed kasuri methi, garam masala, 1/2 tablespoon ginger garlic paste, along with salt and 1 tablespoon oil. Mix it well and marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes or even overnight.
- In a heavy bottom pan, heat ghee and oil on medium heat, add the whole garam masala, sauté until fragrant.
- Add chopped onions, Sauté on medium until the onions are golden.
- Add ginger garlic paste and slit green chilies, Sauté until aromatic.
- Add the methi leaves, cook on medium heat stirring well until the leaves are wilted.
- Next add marinated chicken along with all the marinade to the masala. Increase the heat to high, toss the chicken with the onions. Cook for about 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and let it simmer, stirring occasionally until the chicken is almost cooked through. The chicken will release some water, in case you find it is dry and sticking to the pan, add some hot water and mix well.
- Add the cashew nut paste, mix well, cover and cook another 2-3 minutes on medium heat.
- The oil will float on top once the chicken is cooked through. Add cream, mix well and simmer for 2 more minutes, check for seasonings, adjust with salt if required. Serve hot with pulav/rice or any other flatbread.
Notes
- If you can't find fresh methi leaves, make kasuri methi chicken instead. Rehydrate about 1/2 cup kasuri methi in boiling hot water for 5 minutes, add it after step 8, mix well and cook for 5 minutes.
- If you do not like the bitterness of fresh methi leaves, sprinkle salt on the methi leaves, leave it for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes squeeze the leaves well to get rid of the bitter juices. Rinse and use as directed in the recipe