Spinach & Chicken Curry Recipe {Chicken Saag} - Cookin Canuck (2024)

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Make this healthy, classic Indian Spinach & Chicken Curry recipe (known as Chicken Saag) at home with little effort. The warm, rich flavors will keep you coming back for more! 248 calories and 5 Weight Watcher Freestyle SP Thank you to Gourmet Garden for helping me share this recipe with you.
Spinach & Chicken Curry Recipe {Chicken Saag} - Cookin Canuck (1)

It's time to kick off Week 2 of the Healthy New Year 6-Week Challenge that I'm hosting with Liz of The Lemon Bowl! There are over 900 of you who have accepted the challenge and are sharing your successes, challenges and questions on the challenge Facebook group. Come on over! It's not too late to join.

Last week we focused on Boosting Protein at Breakfast to Fuel Your Day.

And now, it's time to introduce the challenge for Week 2.

Spinach & Chicken Curry Recipe {Chicken Saag} - Cookin Canuck (2)

THIS WEEK'S GOAL IS...EXPLORE ETHNIC CUISINES!

So, what do we mean by that?

One of the most common misconceptions about healthy eating is that it's often boring or lacking in flavor. Au contraire, my healthy eaters! We're all creatures of habit and tend to stick with things that make us feel comfortable, recipes and flavor profiles included. What Liz and I are challenging you to do is to step outside of your culinary box and play around with different herbs, spices and even techniques. Keep your meals interesting!

Growing up in Vancouver, Canada, I was exposed to a very multi-cultural restaurant scene. Indian, Chinese, Korean, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Thai...you name it, we ate it. Except for Mexican food - Vancouver is sorely lacking in Mexican restaurants! To this day, cooking dishes with international flavors is what gets me really excited.

Does that mean that we cook with hard-to-find spices or unpronounceable ingredients? Nope. Many of the ingredients listed in many of the ethnic-inspired recipes on my blog can be found in most well-stocked grocery stores. Some of my family's favorites are , (sub in any vegetables you prefer) and Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry.

Spinach & Chicken Curry Recipe {Chicken Saag} - Cookin Canuck (3)

If you would like to start cooking with herbs, but are worried about having a fridge full of perishable items that may go bad before you have a chance to use them up, check out the Gourmet Garden products, which can be found in the produce section of many grocery stores. They have both lightly dried herbs, as well as stir-in pastes (my favorites!). Basil, ginger, garlic, lemongrass (seriously love this one!)...and the list goes on.

They're really easy to use and each product lists the fresh herb equivalent. For example, 1 tablespoon of the ginger paste can used in place of 1 tablespoon of fresh, minced ginger. Or 1 tablespoon of the chunky garlic paste can be used in place of 1 teaspoon of fresh, minced garlic. Both of these products are used in this chicken curry recipe.

Gourmet Garden has come up with a really helpful Flavor pairing chart that is really handy for cooking all kinds of international dishes.

Spinach & Chicken Curry Recipe {Chicken Saag} - Cookin Canuck (4)

Spinach-based curries (typically known as saag) are often found on Indian restaurant menus. While it's traditionally served as saag paneer (a firm Indian cheese), I've often ordered it with chicken or lamb as well. Not only is this chicken curry recipe packed with all of the wonderful herbs and spices that you may have come to appreciate in Indian cooking (ginger, garlic, ground coriander, garam masala and turmeric), but it has a punch of fiber, iron and vitamins from the healthy dose of spinach.

And, oh man, is it ever good!

Spinach & Chicken Curry Recipe {Chicken Saag} - Cookin Canuck (5)

Serve this chicken curry recipe with brown basmati rice, and chutney and raita, if desired. Raita is an easy yogurt and cucumber condiment (great with a sprinkle of coriander and cumin, too).

So, let’s jump right into week 2 of the challenge together, and commit to spicing up our everyday meals by playing with different herbs and spices! We’d love to see your meal ideas on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Just use the hashtag #HealthyNewYear so we can find your photos. You can also tag Liz (@thelemonbowl) and me (@cookincanuck).

Be sure to check out Liz’s Shrimp & Wonton Rice Noodle Soup and her thoughts on going ethnic!

(Several people have asked where I bought the hammered copper serving dishes. I bought them here. I want to serve every meal from them!)

Other healthy ethnic-inspired recipes:

Slow Cooker Hoisin Chicken {Crockpot}

Printable Recipe

Spinach & Chicken Curry Recipe {Chicken Saag} - Cookin Canuck (6)

Spinach & Chicken Curry Recipe {Chicken Saag}

Spinach Chicken Curry Recipe {Chicken Saag}…Make this classic, healthy Indian dish in your own kitchen! 248 calories and 6 Weight Watcher Freestyle SP

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Course: Entrees

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: Gluten Free, Healthy Dinner Recipes

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 28 minutes minutes

Total Time: 43 minutes minutes

Servings: 5 Servings

Calories: 248.4kcal

Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ packages 10 ounces each frozen chopped spinach, defrosted
  • 1-2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoon canola or grapeseed oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
  • ¾ cup crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons Gourmet Garden garlic paste
  • 2 tablespoons Gourmet Garden ginger paste
  • 2 ¾ teaspoons ground coriander
  • ¼ - ¾ teaspoons cayenne pepper to taste
  • ¼ teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 ½ teaspoons garam masala
  • 2 tablespoons plain nonfat Greek yogurt

Instructions

  • Place the defrosted spinach in a blender and puree until fairly smooth, using 1-2 tablespoons of water to loosen up the mixture. Set aside.

  • Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet set over medium heat.

  • Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions start to brown, 8 to 10 minutes.

  • Stir in the crushed tomatoes, garlic paste, ginger paste, coriander, cayenne pepper and turmeric, and cook for 1 minute.

  • Add the chicken, stirring to coat with the tomato mixture. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is almost cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes.

  • Stir in the pureed spinach and garam masala. Simmer for 5 minutes.

  • Stir in the Greek yogurt.

  • Serve with brown basmati rice.

Notes

Weight Watchers Points:5 (Freestyle SmartPoints)

Nutrition

Serving: 1Cup | Calories: 248.4kcal | Carbohydrates: 11.9g | Protein: 28.6g | Fat: 9.8g | Saturated Fat: 1.6g | Cholesterol: 103.3mg | Sodium: 466.8mg | Fiber: 3.9g | Sugar: 3.4g

Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

Disclosure: This post contains links to my Amazon affiliate page. Any revenue made from sales through these links helps to support this blog. Thank you!

Spinach & Chicken Curry Recipe {Chicken Saag} - Cookin Canuck (2024)

FAQs

What is chicken saag made of? ›

Chicken saag is a classic Indian dish made with chicken, spinach, spices, and sour cream. Serve with basmati rice.

How to enhance the taste of chicken curry? ›

Fixing cooked curries and gravies is no less than a challenge, but a simple way to do so is by adding freshly chopped herbs like coriander, basil, fenugreek leaves, spinach, mint leaves. The fresh flavour of these herbs can instantly elevate the taste and texture and give them a health twist.

What is saag curry made of? ›

Indian saag is a curry of cooked mustard or similar bitter greens (kale, collards, turnip greens) and spinach or similar mild greens (chard, bok choy, beet greens). Any combination of greens works! Use more spices and peppers for hot saag or less for mild.

How to make chicken curry Gordon Ramsay? ›

Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and add to the pan, stirring to coat in the paste. Add the lime leaves, cinnamon stick, star anise, coconut milk, stock, sugar, soy and fish sauces and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook gently for half an hour to an hour until the chicken is tender.

What is the difference between saag and spinach? ›

The difference is only in the contents. Palak in hindi is a single vegetable called spinach in english. Whereas saag too a type of Indian vegetable is prepared by a mixture of three -four leafy varieties of mustard leaves, spinach, fenugreek leaves and bathua leaves..

Is Saag Curry good for you? ›

You get all that protein goodness without the excess fat. If you're looking for a tasty, calorie-rich dish, this is the one for you. When it comes to eating healthy, Saag Paneer ranks one of the highest because of its main ingredient: spinach. As you all know, spinach is loaded with nutrients and antioxidants.

What is the secret ingredient in curry? ›

Whether you may be familiar with the differences between curries from various countries, such as Indian versus Japanese curry, and perhaps even know how to make them at home, there's a special flavor enhancer that you may not have thought to add: honey.

How to make curry taste like restaurant? ›

Simple suggestions for restaurant good quality curries:
  1. Fry your onions till they are golden brown.
  2. Fry your spices but don't burn them. ...
  3. Use good quality spices. ...
  4. Seasoning. ...
  5. Use fatty yoghurt (greek style works) in curries to make them richer. ...
  6. Patience. ...
  7. Use a neutral vegetable oil. ...
  8. Experiment.
Jun 24, 2018

What is saag called in English? ›

Saags (Leafy greens) are an important part of the Garhwali, Kumaoni and Jaunsari cuisines of Uttarakhand. The abundance of leafy greens in the state are because of fertile land and forested land.

Why does my saag taste bitter? ›

People often forget the right proportion of sarso to be added, and it makes the saag bitter. It is suggested to add a good amount of spinach and bhatua to balance the flavor. Saag should cook in its own moisture.

What do you eat with saag? ›

Makki Di roti (roti made with corn flour) Tastes amazing with ginger pickle. Naan is good too for sure. I will also spread it on toast for a quick snack.

Why is my chicken curry not tasty? ›

Your curry can taste bitter if the spices and garlic are burnt or if you've added too much fenugreek to the dish. You see, the secret to cooking a delicious curry recipe is to create a spicy paste and slowly cook it before adding your meat.

Do you put raw chicken in curry to cook? ›

You should have a rich, flavoursome sauce, add your RAW chicken into the sauce, keep the heat medium high and seal the chicken in the sauce, stir constantly and create the deep flavour in the chicken.

Why is my chicken tough in curry? ›

This can be incredibly frustrating for a home cook, as a rubbery chicken curry can ruin an entire dish. But why does this happen? If we wash chicken in cold water before putting it into pressure cooker/ any other equipment, it will get rubbery. So, in my suggestion always wash chicken in hot water for non-rubbery ones.

What is the composition of saag? ›

Saag can be made from spinach, mustard greens, collard greens, basella, finely chopped broccoli or other greens, along with added spices and sometimes other ingredients such as chhena.

What does saag taste like? ›

The greens in saag dishes may be chopped fine and cooked. Alternatively, they may be cooked and creamed. Common spices used in saag dishes include cinnamon, cloves, ginger, chili, garlic, coriander, and cumin, among several others. Saag dishes are mostly mild with a medium amount of gravy.

Is eating saag healthy? ›

Dietary Fiber: Sarson ka Saag is rich in dietary fiber, with approximately 3-5 grams per 100 grams. Fiber aids in digestion, promotes a feeling of fullness and supports overall digestive health. Fat: It is a low-fat dish, typically providing less than 1 gram of fat per 100 grams. This makes it a heart-healthy option.

What is the difference between chicken saag and tikka saag? ›

Chicken Tikka: Tender chunks of chicken marinated in a tantalizing mix of yogurt and spices, then grilled to perfection, imparting a smoky and charred flavor. Saag: A velvety puree of fresh spinach, expertly seasoned with aromatic spices such as cumin, coriander, and garam masala, creating a rich and flavorful base.

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