What is Murgh Malaiwala - Creamy Malai Chicken
To break down the words, Murgh is chicken and Malai is cream. This is a unique chicken curry where you cook the chicken in milk and heavy cream. The end result is a rich succulent juicy chicken pieces. Creamy Malai Chicken or Murgh Malaiwala is a rich milk based chicken curry, and you prepare using aromatic dried herbs, heavy cream and milk. Unlike most other chicken curry, this particular chicken curry is off white in shade or sometime mild orange because of the addition of saffron. The spices that go in are also very aromatic. Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) and green cardamoms along with some fennel seeds gives that floral perfume flavor. You can add saffron too if you prefer the orange hue. But traditionally, the curry is left off white in color.
Are there NUTS?
I wanted to address this right in the beginning that there are absolutely no nuts added in this curry. You can definitely feel free to add cashew cream instead if you want to avoid milk or heavy cream.
Key Ingredients to Prepare Creamy Malai Chicken
Chicken pieces - I keep it a mix of bone and boneless chicken. Make sure to score the drumsticks if using. Do keep in mind that cooking time will be faster if you use only boneless chicken. Onion - I used red onion, and it didn’t temper the color. You can choose white or yellow too. Milk - Cooking the chicken in milk makes it rich, and the texture turns very juicy tender. If you are lactose intolerant, feel free to try with any dairy free milk. The taste will definitely differ based on that. Three key spices - Green Cardamoms, dried fenugreek leaves and fennel seeds. These three spices adds a beautiful aroma to the dish without making it spicy.
Adding color to this Malai Chicken Recipe
I personally like to keep it off white shade, but if you prefer the orange yellow shade in chicken curries, then add turmeric or saffron. Saffron will not make it very colorful and will instead add a very light tint of orange shade. Turmeric will definitely make it look very yellow like any other home style chicken curry. Because the chicken is cooked in heavy cream and milk, there are no tomatoes added. The acidity in tomato can curdle the texture of the gravy.
HERE IS THE DETAILED VIDEO OF THE RECIPE
Preparing this Malai Murgh Recipe
I believe there are quite a few versions of Murgh Malaiwala. Some stir fries the chicken for a while and then slow cooks in milk. Some prefers to not add oil or ghee at all. I have seen versions where they add saffron to get the hue or orange shade of the murgh malaiwala and others prefer to leave it white.
Cooking the Chicken in milk is the base of this dish, and the rest you can alter as per your liking.
Murgh Malaiwala typically has no oil, butter or ghee. It’s a complete cream based gravy, and hence the name Malaiwala. Malai means Cream in English. However, I do prepare it in ghee mixed with little oil. The sauce is not overloaded with spice or heat. A few green cardamoms and a little bit of dried fenugreek leaves and fennel powder makes a lovely flavor blend.
A key point to cook at medium low heat and stirring occasionally, so the milk doesn’t get burnt at the bottom of the pan.
Best way to serve This Creamy Malai Chicken Curry
Pair it with Rice or try my Instant Naan
Because the chicken curry is so light and mildly spiced, you can enjoy some pickle on the side or some salad, perhaps for the crunch. Whatever way you pair this rich, aromatic creamy white chicken curry, you will surely enjoy the sublime taste of this unique dish.
