METHI CHICKEN

 

 

Methi Chicken is one of the most popular delicious dishes from the Hyderabadi cuisine. Methi Chicken or Murgh methi is a dish prepared with chicken combined with fresh methi (fenugreek) leaves.  It is the distinct flavor of the fresh methi that gives a unique taste and enhances the flavor to the chicken.

 

The aroma of the dish is very aromatic and intoxicating. Methi chicken is protein enriched chicken cooked with fresh methi leaves rich in calcium, potassium and iron. It’s a healthy dish, looks beautiful and tastes delicious. Normally fresh fenugreek leaves are best but if not available they also use the Kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves) to prepare the Methi chicken.

 

Kasuri Methi (Fenugreek) is a popular spice of Middle East, Asia and especially in India. Kasuri Methi leaves are generally used for flavoring purpose. The dry Kasuri Methi leaves have very sweet and pleasant odor which makes it so popular. Kasuri Methi seed is also used as spice. Sweet smell of Fenugreek leave makes Chicken delicious.

 

In some part of India the fresh Kasuri Methi leaves are also used as vegetables like spinach. Fenugreek green is usually cooked combined with potatoes or spinach and eaten with Roti, Naan (flatbread) or rice. It is a very popular curry cooked in the major sub-continental region of India and Pakistan and is usually eaten boiled in China, and central and Western Asia. Many of us may be unfamiliar with fenugreek and its health benefits, but it is quite common in Indian cooking.

 

Fenugreek is used as both an herb (fresh fenugreek leaves) and also as a spice (fenugreek seeds). The leaves have a wonderful and unique flavor. Known as “methi” in India, these small leaves have a very slight bitter flavor and a fragrant aroma. The seeds are used in the preparation of Indian pickles, spice mixtures (masalas) and curry pastes.Fenugreek seeds are also known to aid in the digestion process.

 

There are variety of dishes prepared by the methi leaves (fenugreek leaves). Few of the popular ones are the Methi Paratha, Aloo Methi , Methi Chaman hariyali etc. Methi chicken is an outright delicious dish caramelized with onions along with whisked curd and spices to form a creamy base. It’s an ideal dish for a party fare during lunch or dinner.

 

To prepare the Methi Chicken,  heat oil in a pan add cumin ,onion and cook till golden brown, add turmeric , ginger garlic paste, add tomatoes , chilli powder, coriander powder, and whisked curd and cook covered till well cooked. Add methi leaves, chicken and cook till the sauce is thick. Add coriander leaves and garam masala powder. Best when service with hot rice or naan.

 

Remember to pick just the fenugreek leaves and discard all the stems for preparing this dish. Fenugreek (Methi) provide a tangy flavor and powerful curry scent to the dish. Fenugreek is a very common herb used in most Indian cuisines. This herb has many health benefits. The seeds of this fenugreek are also used for several ayurveda and medicinal purposes like lowering cholesterol and mouth ulcers.

 

Fenugreeks are rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. Fenugreek proves to be a very good agent in reducing bad cholesterol from the body. It purifies blood and helps in flushing out the harmful toxins. Fenugreek seeds are useful in improving memory power too. This herb is very effective in losing weight. The fiber in fenugreek fills the stomach, even when consumed in a little amount. They help prevent wrinkles, blackheads, pimples, dryness and rashes. Not only does fenugreek help prevent hair loss, it helps preventing dandruff, keeps the hair lice free and make it black and shiny.

Recipe: Methi chicken

Summary: chicken cooked with fresh fenugreek leaves , in Indian curry

Cooking time (duration): 25

Number of servings (yield): 4

Meal type: lunch

My rating: 5 stars:  ★★★★★ 1 review(s)