Methi Chicken or chicken curry with fenugreek leaves is a hearty spicy Chicken Curry with a nice flavor of fresh fenugreek leaves coming through in every bite. Here is how to make it.
Weekends are usually about non-vegetarian preparations in my household. Come Friday and we are already in that weekend mood.
Late-night family time with a movie-watching session or a few drinks together while we talk about how the week went, or all of us gathering in the kitchen and cooking a meal together is what makes my weekends special.
This weekend like others was no exception and the Methi Chicken or Methi Murgh resulted.
Also called Methi Murgh Karahi in Pakistan, it is one curry that is loved by all.
Kiddo and hubby frying the onions while I prepared the chicken and other ingredients along with a game of Ludo on the side, is how we kick-started the weekend.
This Fresh Methi and Chicken Curry Recipe is a keeper for long.
The subtle flavor of fresh Fenugreek leaves that comes in every bite along with a spicy gravy makes this dish very special.
This Indian chicken curry not only makes up for a satiating meal but sometimes when I feel like making my kiddo eat fenugreek, Methi Chicken saves my day!
You could either serve this Chicken Methi with Garlic Naan, Rotis, or Pudina Laccha Parathas whichever is your choice.
Here is how to make Methi Chicken Masala.
Pro Tips by Neha
This recipe requires fresh Methi. Dried fenugreek or Kasuri methi will not give the same taste as fresh methi.
But in case fresh methi is not available, you can make do with Kasuri methi.
Use only 2-3 tbsp of Kasuri Methi in place of fresh methi. Kasuri Methi has a much-concentrated aroma and a little goes a long way.
Add the chicken before adding any kind of souring agents like curd or tomato. It will help the chicken cook well and become tender and not rubbery.
Add a little maida in the yogurt (Dahi). It will not let the yogurt separately.
Add a little cream or fresh malai once the curry is done to make a rich and creamy version.
You can also add milk in place of water if you want a rich creamy curry.
If adding milk and cream, add some honey at the end to balance the taste.
You can make methi chicken dry by reducing the amount of water added in the gravy.
Or you can add more water and make a soupy curry. I like this curry with thick gravy.
You can make methi chicken dry to serve as a snack.
To make a dry version, use boneless chicken cut in small pieces and do not add any extra liquid to the recipe.
Let the chicken cook in its own juices.
Variations
With Chicken Keema
You can make this dish by replacing curry cut chicken pieces with chicken mince.
Keep the entire process the same, just replace chicken pieces with 500 g chicken mince to make methi chicken keema.
With Palak/Spinach
Add 1 cup chopped palak or spinach along with fresh methi leaves to make Palak Methi Chicken.
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How to make it Step By Step
Heat oil in a pan. Once the oil is hot, add cloves, cardamom, and peppercorns. Fry for a few seconds.
Add onion and fry till translucent.
Add ginger garlic paste and green chilies and fry till onion turns golden brown.
Now add chicken and fry on high heat for 4-5 minutes.
Whisk yogurt, maida, coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder and garam masala powder in a bowl.
Add the yogurt mixture and salt in the pan. Cover and cook the chicken on low heat for 25-30 minutes.
Add little water if required and fenugreek leaves and cook uncovered for another 10 minutes. Add lemon juice and mix well.
Methi Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp Mustard Oil
- 3-4 Clove
- 2 Black Cardamom
- 4-5 Black Peppercorn
- 2 cups Onion (Chopped)
- 2 tsp Ginger Garlic Paste
- 2 Green Chilli (Chopped)
- 1 kg Chicken (Curry Cut)
- 1 cup Curd / Yogurt
- 2 tsp Maida / All Purpose Flour
- 3 tsp Coriander Powder
- 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 2 tsp Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
- 1/2 tsp Roasted Cumin Powder
- 1/2 tsp Garam Masala Powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tsp Lemon Juice
- 2 cup Fresh Methi Leaves / Fenugreek Leaves (Chopped)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan.
- Once the oil is hot, add cloves, cardamom and peppercorns.
- Fry for a few seconds.
- Add onion and fry till translucent.
- Add ginger garlic paste and green chilies and fry till onion turns golden brown.
- Now add chicken and fry on high heat for 4-5 minutes.
- Whisk yogurt, maida, coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder and garam masala powder in a bowl.
- Add the yogurt mixture and salt in the pan.
- Cover and cook the chicken on low heat for 25-30 minutes.
- Add little water if required fenugreek leaves and cook uncovered for another 10 minutes.
- Add lemon juice and mix well.
- Serve hot with chapati or naan.
Thalia @ butter and brioche
I love a good hearty, aromatic and flavoursome curry like this. I must make the recipe!
Consumption Compulsion
Wow, that looks absolutely delicious. We typically don’t use Kashmiri red chili powder in our desi cooking. What flavor does it impart?
msnehamathur
It is very mild but gives lovely color to the dish
Carol
Absolutely delicious!!
Neha Mathur
Thanks
Hema Athwani
Hey Neha ,I cooked this delicious chicken today-need I praise it ,my family LOVED it!bless you for following your passion !it is reviving mine:):):)
Hema Athwani
The mustard oil gave a great aroma ,my kids who entered just went-wow!what ARE u cooking?cant stop smiling since the compliments:)thanks Neha
msnehamathur
Thnx a lot for trying 🙂
Nina
Thank you! Can curd be substituted with yogurt? Also, what is mairda, can this be substituted with anything else? I’m going to make this dish today.
Neha Mathur
Hi Nia, Curd can be substituted with plain yogurt. maida is all purpose flour 🙂
Sherry
Amazing recipe and tasted delicious! My dad is a very picky eater and so is my brother and they both LOVED it! Thank you for giving me another recipe to add to my dinner roster 🙂
Neha Mathur
Happy to hear 🙂
Swetha
I made this today .. It was awesome. Wish I could post a picture of it.. Loved the tangy flavor.. Thank you Neha for posting this.. Your coriander chicken gravy is next ?
msnehamathur
Thnx a lot for trying Swetha
Tanya
Made this tonight and it was perfect! Thank u!
msnehamathur
Thnx a lot for trying 🙂
Mohammed
If we don’t have fresh methi leaves can we use kasoori methi?
msnehamathur
Yes You can.
FARIDA BANU
Chicken with methi WOW! Super recipe.
Pujitha Murthi
Coming back to this recipe for the 3rd time . An absolute favourite ????
Neha Mathur
Thnx a lot 🙂
banazer noor
Easy tasty recipes i like all recipes, my kid like your recipe
Neha Mathur
Thnx
banazer noor
good recipes i try at home, i am happy with recipes
Neha Mathur
Thnx
Nina Shah
Hi,
I don’t have any mustard oil, are there any substitutions?
Neha Mathur
You can use any cooking oil to make this recipe.
Anu
Looks like a wonderful recipe – looking fwd to trying this out. Qs on the method though – have you tried this recipe with marinating the chicken with the curd, instead of adding the curd to partially cooked chicken as you do here? What’s the difference in flavour / texture?
Typically, pre-marinating chicken in an acidic substance like yoghurt or vinegar leads to a more succulent and soft texture. Keen to hear your thoughts..
Neha Mathur
If you have time, you can definitely marinate the chicken beforehand.
Shwetha Nayak
I made this today and absolutely divine ????
Neha Mathur
Awesome!
Monisha
My first attempt with fresh methi. It was a hit! My husband devoured the entire dish. No leftovers at all. I used canola oil and 50/50 lal mirchi and smoked paprika instead of Kashmiri chili as I didn’t have any. As I continue to explore Indian cooking, I am sure this will become a staple in our home. Thanks!
Neha Mathur
Very happy to hear this Monisha!