
Tender chicken in a vibrant spiced spinach sauce
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
45 min
Servings
4
5 cups
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Moderate
$$
Tender chicken in a vibrant spiced spinach sauce
Succulent chicken pieces simmered in a bright green spinach sauce with ginger, garlic, and garam masala. A nutritious and flavorful North Indian classic.
15m
Prep Time
30m
Cook Time
45m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Moderate $$
Cost
(Updated )
Chicken saagwala brings together protein-rich chicken and iron-packed spinach in one aromatic pot. The spinach is blanched and pureed for a smooth, vibrant sauce that clings to every piece of chicken.
Blanch spinach in boiling water for 2 minutes, shock in ice water, squeeze dry, and blend into a smooth puree.
Heat ghee, sauté onion until golden, add garlic-ginger paste and cook 1 minute.
Add cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder; stir 30 seconds, then add chicken pieces.
Cook chicken for 8 minutes, add spinach puree and salt, cover and simmer 12 minutes.
Stir in cream, garam masala, and kasuri methi; cook 2 more minutes and serve with rice or naan.
Serve with warm naan bread or basmati rice
Top with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime
Pair with a cooling cucumber raita on the side
Pan-fry paneer separately and fold in at the end
Makes the dish dairy-free with a hint of sweetness
Test Kitchen Pick
Garam Masala
Helpful Pantry Staple
A better spice blend gives the recipe more rounded flavor without making you buy ten separate jars first.
This is often the pantry shortcut that makes the result taste more complete.
If you are cooking Indian food more than once, garam masala is a practical pantry anchor.
Shop garam masala for this recipeUse kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) for that authentic restaurant aroma.
Frozen spinach works perfectly—thaw and squeeze out excess water before blending.
Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Freeze the spinach sauce separately for up to 2 months.
Warm gently over medium-low heat; the spinach may darken slightly but flavor remains great.
Per serving (90mg) · 4 servings
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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