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Methi Chicken
5 from 21 votes

Methi Chicken

Methi Chicken combines boneless chicken thighs with fresh fenugreek leaves (methi), onion, tomato, spices, and yogurt, cooked in mustard oil and ghee. The recipe builds an aromatic masala with cumin, bay leaf, ginger, garlic, and chili, creating a savory, slightly tangy curry with distinctive herbal notes from fenugreek, balanced by creamy yogurt.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 465 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian, Pakistani

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken thigh cut into 2 inch pieces, boneless
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon mustard oil or any vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon ghee
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds aka Jeera
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cup onion chopped
  • 1/2 tablespoon ginger grated
  • 1/2 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 1 cup tomato chopped
  • 2 green chili pepper slit in half
  • 2 cup fenugreek leaves tightly packed, chopped, aka methi
  • 1/4 cup yogurt
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 lime juice
Spices
  • 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder ground, aka Haldi powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder aka Jeera powder
  • 2 teaspoon coriander powder dhaniya powder
  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder adjust to taste

Instructions

Stovetop Method:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat a heavy bottom pan on medium-high heat. Add oil to it, and let it heat. If using mustard oil, heat the oil till it smokes. Then add ghee and let it heat.
  2. Add the bay leaf and cumin seeds. Sauté for about 30 seconds so they release thier aroma.
  3. Add chopped onions. Sauté for about 10 minutes until the onions are golden.
  4. Add ginger and garlic, and sauté for another minute.
  5. Add tomatoes, spices, and stir well. Cover and cook for 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes soften. Then remove the lid and stir the onion tomato masala. Oil should be leaving the sides of the pan.
  6. Add chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes until tje chicken pieces are all white on the outside.
  7. Cover and cook the chicken on low heat for 10 minutes. Stir a few times in between. Then, remove the lid.
  8. Add methi leaves and mix them until they wilt. Cook on medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
  9. Change the heat to low, then add the yogurt. Cook on low heat for around 3 minutes while stirring continuously.
  10. Add green chili peppers, garam masala, and lime juice. Taste and adjust salt. Mix everything together and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  11. Methi Chicken is ready. Serve it hot with fresh roti or naan.
Instant Pot Method:
  1. Follow the instructions to cook the curry base of onions and tomatoes. Then add the chicken and saute for 3-4 minutes until the chicken turns white on the outside.
  2. Then add 2 tablespoons of water and deglaze the pot, making sure nothing is stuck to the bottom of the pot. Pressure cook for 3 minutes on high pressure. Then, quick release the pressure.
  3. Then follow the steps to add methi leaves and then yogurt, as in the stovetop recipe. Add green chili peppers, garam masala, and lime juice. Mix everything together and cook on saute mode for 3-4 minutes. Methi Chicken is ready.

Notes

  • Use fresh methi leaves for optimal flavor; frozen methi can be used if fresh is unavailable.
  • Wash methi leaves well before chopping to remove dirt and grit.
  • Boneless chicken thighs are recommended, but breasts or drumsticks can be substituted.
  • Adjust chili powder amount to control the spiciness level.
  • Marinating the chicken in yogurt and spices beforehand is optional but adds flavor.
  • If using dried kasoori methi instead of fresh, use about 3 tablespoons due to stronger flavor.

Nutrition Information

Calories 465kcal (23%) Carbohydrates 20g (7%) Protein 25g (50%) Fat 32g (49%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Polyunsaturated Fat 5g (29%) Monounsaturated Fat 13g (65%) Trans Fat 0.1g (5%) Cholesterol 128mg (43%) Sodium 766mg (32%) Potassium 498mg (11%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 577IU (12%) Vitamin C 16mg (18%) Calcium 525mg (53%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 465

% Daily Value*

Calories 465kcal 23%
Carbohydrates 20g 7%
Protein 25g 50%
Fat 32g 49%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g 29%
Monounsaturated Fat 13g 65%
Trans Fat 0.1g 5%
Cholesterol 128mg 43%
Sodium 766mg 32%
Potassium 498mg 11%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 577IU 12%
Vitamin C 16mg 18%
Calcium 525mg 53%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.