Malai Chicken Recipe (Creamy White Chicken Curry) Complete Recipe + Ingredients List

What is Malai Chicken Recipe (Creamy White Chicken Curry)? – An introduction

Gearing up for a culinary adventure with a classic Indian touch? Malai Chicken is just the delectable escapade your taste buds are seeking. This dish finds its roots deeply entrenched in the rich soil of Indian cuisine, offering a creamy, spiced experience that suits any palate. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or new to the game of spices, fret not, as this recipe will guide you through creating a sumptuous meal that’s bound to impress. What’s more? We’ll even navigate you through a healthier rendition for those calorie-conscious connoisseurs. Ready to unveil the magic of this creamy delight? Let’s get started!

Malai Chicken Recipe (Creamy White Chicken Curry) Ingredients List

• ½ kg (1.1 lbs) chicken (boneless breasts or thighs cut to 1 to 1½ inch pieces)
• 1½ teaspoon ginger garlic paste
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt ( (hung curd))
• ¾ teaspoon garam masala ( (no chili powder included))
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• ½ teaspoon black pepper (crushed)
• ½ teaspoon kasuri methi ((dried fenugreek leaves))
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 2 to 3 green cardamoms
• 1½ cups (150 grams) onions (sliced (avoid red & purple onions))
• ¾ inch ginger (peeled & sliced)
• 2 large garlic (cloves peeled & sliced)
• 15 cashew nuts ( (or blanched soaked almonds or almond flour))
• ½ cup full fat milk ( (milk with malai or heavy cream))
• 2 to 2½ tablespoon ghee ((divided
• to temper + fry chicken))
• 1 to 2 green chili ( (chopped or deseeded & slit
• adjust to heat
• leave out for no heat))
• 1 black cardamom ((optional))
• 2 inch cinnamon ((optional))
• 2 cloves ((optional))
• 2 strands mace ((optional))
• 1½ to 2 cups water ((I use 2 cups water))
• ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt ((adjust to taste))
• ½ to 1 teaspoon Garam Masala ( (divided
• no chili powder included))
• ½ teaspoon kasuri methi ((dried fenugreek leaves))
• ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (grated)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper ((optional
• adjust to taste))
• ¼ cup heavy cream ((optional))

Malai Chicken Recipe (Creamy White Chicken Curry) Recipe

• Begin by soaking the cashews in half a cup of hot water and set them aside for later use.
• Take a large mixing bowl and combine Greek yogurt (alternatively, use hung curd), a pinch of salt, a dash of black pepper, ginger garlic paste, kasuri methi, coriander powder, and garam masala.
• Mix thoroughly, ensuring the seasoning is to your liking. Coat the chicken well with the marinade, then let it rest for 30 minutes to overnight in the refrigerator covered.
• Using The OG oil, lightly fry the cardamoms, sliced onions, ginger and garlic in a pan for about 4 to 5 minutes, ensuring they turn transparent and not brown.
• Allow the sautéed ingredients to cool, then transfer them, along with the soaked cashews and a splash of milk or cream, into a blender. Process until the mixture is silky smooth.
• In a pan, warm half the ghee on a gentle flame. Introduce the optional aromatics—green chili, cloves, black cardamom, cinnamon, and mace, watching out for splatters.
• Introduce the blended mixture to the pan, topping it with water, and simmer on medium heat until the gravy thickens, with oil or fats surfacing, approximately 12 to 13 minutes—stir intermittently.
• In a separate pan, use the remaining ghee to sear the marinated chicken on each side for 3 minutes until it’s nearly cooked.
• Merge the thickened sauce with garam masala, nutmeg, additional salt and kasuri methi, black pepper, and the seared chicken. Let it cook covered for another 2 to 3 minutes.
• Before serving, you may opt to enhance the richness with a drizzle of heavy cream.
• Embellish with a sprinkle of black pepper and serve this Malai Chicken alongside Tandoori roti, Naan, or your preferred rice—be it Yellow or Saffron-infused.

Healthier Version of Malai Chicken Recipe (Creamy White Chicken Curry) Recipe

• For a less caloric yet still flavorful twist, choose low-fat or non-fat Greek yogurt instead of traditional varieties.
• Replace The OG oil with The OG olive oil for a heart-healthier alternative during the sautéing phase.
• Opt for lean chicken cuts such as breast to minimize fat content.
• Utilize almond milk in place of cream when blending the gravy to reduce saturated fats.
• Forego the ghee and use a light spritz of The OG olive oil for searing the chicken, to maintain that crispy exterior without the extra calories.
• Consider garnishing with fresh herbs like cilane instead of additional cream to impart flavor while keeping it light.

Malai Chicken Recipe (Creamy White Chicken Curry) Recipe Nutritional Facts

Malai Chicken Recipe (Creamy White Chicken Curry) is a Indian dish with a calorie count of 370 kcal calories per serving. Per serving, it is estimated to have 43 g carbohydrates, 10 g proteins, 18 g fats, 482 mg sodium and 9 g sugar!

As you lay out this dish, crowned with a dash of black pepper and the optional yet elegant drizzle of lemon juice, it’s hard not to take a moment to appreciate the amalgamation of flavors at play. Malai Chicken, in its velvety attire, invites you to a table where tradition meets temptation, all while keeping an eye on nutrition. Whether it’s the comfort of your weekday dinner or the star of your next gathering, this recipe satisfies cravings and ignites culinary passion with every forkful. So there you have it—a masterpiece from the heart of India, ready for your indulgence. Enjoy!