Whole30 Palak Chicken

Elevate your weeknight dinner with this flavorful and nourishing Whole30 Palak Chicken recipe—a vibrant fusion of tender chicken thighs simmered in a creamy spinach sauce infused with aromatic spices. Perfectly balanced with a touch of garam masala and a bright squeeze of lemon juice, this gluten-free, dairy-free dish is a delicious way to embrace healthy eating without sacrificing flavor. The recipe features fresh spinach, blanched and pureed to create the signature velvety sauce, along with a melody of cumin, turmeric, and coriander for a warm and fragrant kick. Cooked in wholesome ghee for added richness, this one-pan marvel is ready in just an hour and serves beautifully over cauliflower rice or alongside a crisp salad for a complete Whole30-approved meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 200 g fresh spinach
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1 medium onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 inch fresh ginger
• 1 green chili
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 0.5 tsp turmeric powder
• 0.5 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.25 cup water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Directions

Step 1

Begin by washing the spinach leaves thoroughly. Blanch the spinach in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then quickly transfer to a bowl of ice-cold water. Drain and blend to a smooth puree. Set aside.

Step 2

Dice the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

Step 3

Peel and finely chop the onion, garlic, and ginger. Slit the green chili lengthwise.

Step 4

Heat ghee in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and allow them to splutter.

Step 5

Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5-6 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the garlic, ginger, and green chili and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 7

Add the diced chicken to the skillet and sauté until the chicken is no longer pink on the outside, about 5 minutes.

Step 8

Stir in the ground coriander, turmeric, and salt. Mix well to coat the chicken with the spices.

Step 9

Pour in the spinach puree, along with 1/4 cup of water, and mix to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 10

Cover and cook the chicken in the spinach sauce on low heat for about 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

Step 11

Stir in garam masala and adjust salt to taste.

Step 12

Finish with freshly squeezed lemon juice for brightness.

Step 13

Serve hot, garnished with additional lemon wedges if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(999.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1473.2

Total Fat 84.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 33.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 705mg	0%
Sodium 2971.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 32.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.8g	0%
Total Sugars 8.6g
Protein 138.8g	0%

Vitamin D 35IU	0%
Calcium 359.0mg	0%
Iron 15.5mg	0%
Potassium 1715.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.6%

Protein: 38.3%

Carbs: 9.1%