Creamy Coconut Hariyali Chicken
Green chicken curry you might think? Well, this one is no less than a sibling of the famous butter chicken! Green chicken curry also known as Hariyali Chicken curry has its fame and origin from North India, as the name itself suggests its a curry that is green in color. Now the color comes from the green leaves like Coriander, mint, spinach etc that are added in to give it it's vibrant green. For me vibrant dishes just attracts me instantly, and hariyali chicken has always been my go to whenever I have lots of "greens" in stock.
My recipe of Hariyali Chicken is quite different, like I always say, fusion is my thing. So, this time it's a fusion between North and south Indian flavors. To bring in that creamy and rich texture I used coconut milk in my curry base, whereas the original recipe calls for yogurt. And let me tell you this is the best KETO recipe. Now you might think KETO? So have I started a new diet? Lol don't worry, it's not me, it's the hubster who is on Keto diet, so I will be sharing recipes that include the normal diet as well as KETO. I somehow always hated Keto, the very thought of using only a few ingredients that had no carbs and sugar made me anxious. But really that's when you get a chance to experiment and invent new recipes. Now that I have started preparing for the Mister I feel like I am on some masterchef Challenge where they give few ingredients and I have to come up with a delicious recipe. Haha. That's the scene happening with me most of the days now.
Nevertheless, if you aren't on KETO, you will love it even more, I guarantee. This vibrantly green hariyali chicken gets a makeover by adding coconut milk and Cashew paste that makes me want to call it a sibling of butter chicken.
This goes very well with chappathi, rice appam, naans etc. Here, in the images you see Cauliflower rice, it's so good that you won't know its Cauliflower because it is so bland, and when paired it with this amazing gravy, ooohhh soooo goood, with the flavors of Indian spices called the Garam masala hits the mark that brings out the flavor of this gravy, since coconut milk, in itself is rich, Cashew paste isn't necessary, but adding it gives that extra richness.
This is one chicken gravy that you wouldn't want to miss, it's super easy, really! No messy works like chopping onions, tomatoes etc. It's delicious combination of the coconut milk brings out its flavors even more than yogurt does. And the best part, it's KETO friendly! This can be prepared using both boneless and bone in chicken. My family always prefers bone in chicken any day. So without further a do let's begin making my delicous Creamy Coconut Hariyali Chicken.
Ingredients :
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil*
- 500 gms chicken (bone in /boneless)
- 6 garlic cloves
- 1 inch piece ginger
- 1 handfull of Coriander leaves
- 1/4 cup mint leaves
- 1/2 cup Spinach (optional)
- 3-4 green chillies
- 3/4 tsp Garam Masala Powder
- 1/2 tsp Cumin powder
- Salt as required
- 3-4 tbsp coconut milk powder*
- 1/4 cup water
- 8-10 cashews (soak in hot water for 10 minutes)
Instructions :
- Grind the mint leaves, Coriander leaves, spinach, ginger garlic, and green chillies and grind to a smooth paste.
- In a pan or deep pan, add in 1 tbsp butter and olive oil.
- Add in the ground paste of leaves and add Sautee for a couple of minutes.
- Next add Garam masala powder and cumin powder and Sautee well.
- Add chicken that has been marinated in salt. Cover and cook for 20 minutes on medium low heat.
- Whilst at that, grind cashews with coconut milk powder and 1/4 glass of water.
- After cooking the chicken for 20 minutes add in your coconut cream.
- Combine well and add water as required and allow to boil for a minute or two.
- Serve hot with chappathi, appam, naan, rice etc.
- I have served with Cauliflower rice as a keto side.
- Enjoy!
Notes:
- As this is a keto friendly dish I used butter and olive oil, you may use ghee too. Also vegetable oil is fine if not for keto purpose.
- You may use 1/2 cup fresh coconut milk or 1/2 tin canned coconut cream.