Murg Saagwala: Authentic Spicy Spinach Chicken Curry Recipe
2 hours 50 minutes
738 reads

About Murg Saagwala: Authentic Spicy Spinach Chicken Curry Recipe
Indulge in the rich flavors of Murg Saagwala, a delightful Punjabi chicken curry brimming with spicy spinach. This winter warmer is a family favorite, perfect for cozy nights. The creamy spinach sauce perfectly complements the tender chicken, creating a truly unforgettable culinary experience.This recipe shares my secrets to achieving the perfect balance of spices and textures. From the meticulous marination process to the careful blending of the spinach, every step is designed to elevate your cooking to the next level. Prepare to impress your family and friends with this authentic and aromatic dish.Get ready to savor a taste of Punjab in your own kitchen! Serve this hearty curry with warm naan, roti, or rice for a truly satisfying meal.
Recipe Time & More
Prep2 hours 10 minutes
Cook40 minutes
Total2 hours 50 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
- 1 tbsp Lime Juice
- 5 tbsp Greek Yogurt drained; you can substitute plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp Ginger-Garlic Paste
- 1 tsp Chili Paste adjust to taste, fresh, green
- 0.5 tsp Garam Masala
- 1 kg Chicken bone-in pieces, highly recommended for flavor
For the Curry
- 500 gm Spinach include tender stems if desired
- 50 ml Milk
- 3.5 tbsp Mustard Oil or vegetable oil
- 0.5 tsp Cumin Seeds
- 2 Cardamom Pods black
- 6 Cardamom Pods green
- 12 Peppercorns black, crushed
- 5-6 Cloves
- 0.5 inch Cinnamon Stick
- 1 Bay Leaf large, torn in half
- 1.25 cup Onion sliced
- 150 gm Tomato large, pureed
- 0.5-1 tsp Chili Powder adjust to taste, red
- 0.75 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 2 tsp Coriander Powder
- 1 tsp Cumin Powder roasted
- 1 tsp Salt or to taste
- 1.5-2 tbsp Cream heavy cream, plus extra for drizzling
- 2 tsp Ghee clarified butter, plus extra for drizzling
- 2 ltr Water for blanching spinach
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- Wash and pat dry the chicken. Make slits in larger pieces to help the marinade penetrate. Transfer to a bowl, add lime juice, and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Add yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, green chili paste, and garam masala. Mix well to coat the chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.
Prepare the Spinach
- Wash spinach thoroughly, at least 3-4 times. Blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes, then plunge into ice water to stop cooking. Drain and squeeze out excess water.
- Blend spinach with 50ml milk until a smooth puree forms. Set aside.
Cook the Curry
- Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or pot. Add whole spices (cumin seeds, cardamom pods, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, and bay leaf). Stir for a few seconds until cumin seeds crackle. Remove whole spices once onions brown.
- Add sliced onions and fry until golden brown. Add tomato puree and cook until oil separates from the sides of the pan.
- Add marinated chicken and cook on high heat for 10 minutes. Stir in red chili powder, turmeric, coriander powder, roasted cumin powder, and salt. Cook for 1 minute.
- Reduce heat, cover, and cook until chicken is almost done. Stir in spinach puree and additional milk (as needed) to reach desired consistency. Simmer for 5 more minutes.
- Stir in cream and ghee. Transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with extra cream and ghee before serving.
- Serve hot with naan, roti, or rice and a side salad.
Recipe Notes
Expert Tips for the Perfect Murg Saagwala
- For a deeper flavor, use bone-in chicken pieces and marinate overnight.
- Don't over-blend the spinach puree; a slightly chunky texture is desirable.
- Adjust the amount of green chilies and red chili powder to control the spice level according to your preference.
- Smoking the chicken before serving adds a delicious smoky flavor (optional).
Recipe Nutrition
Calories: 517kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 30gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 17gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 217mgPotassium: 1270mgFiber: 7gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 12411IUVitamin C: 49mgCalcium: 240mgIron: 6mg
3 Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.


Absolutely fantastic! Thanks for the recipe.
Wow, this looks fantastic!
This is a fantastic recipe! Thanks for sharing.