Super Tasty, Healthy Chicken Stew

Super Tasty, Healthy Chicken Stew is a medium Indian recipe that serves 4. 400 calories per serving. Recipe by Cooking With Chef Ashok on YouTube.

Prep: 20 min | Cook: 44 min | Total: 1 hr 19 min

Cost: $8.42 total, $2.11 per serving

Ingredients

  • 700 g Chicken Pieces (bone‑in, cut into bite‑size pieces)
  • 1 tsp Salt (for washing and seasoning)
  • 1 tbsp White Vinegar (helps clean chicken)
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil (extra‑virgin preferred)
  • 1 tbsp Ghee (clarified butter for richness)
  • 2 pieces Cloves (whole)
  • 1 piece Bay Leaf (whole)
  • 12 pieces Black Peppercorns (whole, for tempering)
  • 1 piece Large Cardamom (whole)
  • 2 pieces Small Cardamom (whole)
  • 1 large Onion (thinly sliced)
  • 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 2 pieces Green Chilies (slit lengthwise)
  • 1 medium Potato (peeled and diced)
  • 2 medium Tomato (chopped)
  • 100 g Spinach (washed and roughly chopped)
  • 0.25 tsp Turmeric Powder (for color and health benefits)
  • 1 tsp Rice Flour (mixed with a little water to form a slurry)
  • 0.5 tsp Crushed Black Pepper (added at the end for aroma)
  • 1000 ml Water (for simmering)

Instructions

  1. Clean and Cut Chicken

    Rinse the chicken pieces in a bowl of water mixed with 1 tsp salt and 1 tbsp white vinegar, then pat dry and cut into bite‑size pieces if not already done.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Prep Vegetables & Whole Spices

    Thinly slice the onion, mince the garlic, slit the green chilies lengthwise, dice the potato, wash and roughly chop the spinach. Gather cloves, bay leaf, peppercorns, large and small cardamoms.

    Time: PT10M

  3. Temper Whole Spices

    Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp ghee in the pot over medium heat. Add the whole spices and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.

    Time: PT2M

  4. Sauté Onion

    Add the sliced onion to the pot and sauté on high flame for about 3 minutes until it turns translucent and slightly golden.

    Time: PT3M

  5. Add Garlic and Green Chilies

    Stir in the minced garlic and slit green chilies; sauté for 1 minute until aromatic.

    Time: PT1M

  6. Brown the Chicken

    Add the chicken pieces, increase heat to medium, and sauté for 5‑7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken changes color but is not fully cooked.

    Time: PT6M

  7. Add Potatoes and Spices

    Add the diced potato, 1/4 tsp turmeric powder, and 1 tsp salt. Stir and sauté for 2 minutes so the spices coat the potatoes.

    Time: PT2M

  8. Add Tomatoes

    Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes until they soften.

    Time: PT2M

  9. Simmer with Water

    Pour in 1 litre of water, increase flame to high and bring to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce to medium, cover the pot, and let simmer for 15‑20 minutes.

    Time: PT20M

  10. Thicken with Rice Flour Slurry

    In a small bowl, mix 1 tsp rice flour with 2 tbsp water to form a smooth slurry. Stir the slurry into the pot and cook on medium flame for 5 minutes, stirring gently.

    Time: PT5M

  11. Add Spinach

    Add the washed spinach, cover the pot, and cook for 2‑3 minutes until wilted.

    Time: PT3M

  12. Finish and Serve

    Stir in ½ tsp crushed black pepper, give a final gentle mix, turn off the heat, and let the stew rest for 1 minute before serving.

    Time: PT1M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
400
Protein
30 g
Carbohydrates
20 g
Fat
15 g
Fiber
3 g

Dietary info: Gluten-Free, High-Protein, Low-Oil, Nut-Free

Allergens: Dairy

Last updated: April 18, 2026

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Super Tasty, Healthy Chicken Stew

Recipe by Cooking With Chef Ashok

A flavorful, low‑oil Indian chicken stew made with minimal spices, potatoes, tomatoes, and spinach. The broth is thickened with a light rice‑flour slurry for a silky texture. Perfect for a healthy dinner that tastes like restaurant‑style chicken curry.

MediumIndianServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
18m
Prep
42m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 10m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$8.42
Total cost
$2.11
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Washing and cutting the chicken properly to remove any residue.
  • Tempering whole spices without burning the oil.
  • Sautéing onion until translucent to remove raw flavor.
  • Ensuring chicken is only partially cooked before adding liquid to keep it tender.
  • Adding rice flour slurry slowly to avoid lumps and achieve the right gravy consistency.

Safety Warnings

  • Handle hot oil with care to avoid splatter burns.
  • Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  • Use oven mitts when lifting the pot lid as steam can cause burns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Hotel Style Chicken Stew in Indian cuisine?

A

Hotel Style Chicken Stew reflects the Indian restaurant tradition of creating rich, aromatic chicken curries with minimal oil, catering to health‑conscious diners. It blends classic whole‑spice tempering with modern low‑fat techniques, making it a popular comfort dish across North and Central India.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of chicken stew in Indian cuisine?

A

In South India, chicken stew often includes coconut milk and curry leaves, while in North India, it leans on tomato‑based gravies with garam masala. The hotel‑style version presented by Chef Ashok uses a light tomato‑onion base, potatoes, and spinach, representing a pan‑Indian approach.

cultural
Q

How is Hotel Style Chicken Stew traditionally served in Indian households?

A

It is typically served hot with steamed basmati rice, jeera rice, or Indian flatbreads like roti or naan. A side of fresh cucumber raita or a simple salad often accompanies the stew to balance the spices.

cultural
Q

On what occasions or celebrations is chicken stew commonly prepared in Indian culture?

A

Chicken stew is a go‑to dish for family gatherings, weekend lunches, and festive occasions such as Diwali or regional harvest festivals, where a hearty yet not overly heavy main course is desired.

cultural
Q

How does Hotel Style Chicken Stew fit into the broader Indian cuisine tradition?

A

It exemplifies the Indian principle of balancing flavor, nutrition, and texture in a single pot. The use of whole spices, a modest amount of oil, and the inclusion of vegetables like potatoes and spinach showcase the cuisine’s emphasis on wholesome, balanced meals.

cultural
Q

What are the authentic traditional ingredients for Hotel Style Chicken Stew versus acceptable substitutes?

A

Authentic ingredients include bone‑in chicken, whole spices (cloves, bay leaf, peppercorns, cardamom), turmeric, onion, garlic, green chilies, tomato, potato, spinach, and a rice‑flour slurry. Substitutes can be boneless chicken, vegetable oil instead of olive oil, or cornstarch for thickening.

cultural
Q

What other Indian dishes pair well with Hotel Style Chicken Stew?

A

Pair it with jeera rice, plain basmati rice, butter naan, or a simple cucumber‑onion salad. A side of lentil dal or a light cucumber raita complements the stew’s flavors nicely.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Hotel Style Chicken Stew?

A

Common errors include over‑cooking the chicken before adding liquid, burning the whole spices, adding the rice‑flour slurry without pre‑mixing (causing lumps), and over‑cooking the spinach which turns mushy.

technical
Q

Why does this Hotel Style Chicken Stew recipe use a rice‑flour slurry instead of cornflour or wheat flour?

A

Rice flour provides a light, glossy thickening without adding gluten or a heavy mouthfeel. It also keeps the stew low‑oil and suitable for gluten‑free diets, aligning with the chef’s health‑focused approach.

technical
Q

Can I make Hotel Style Chicken Stew ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes, the stew can be prepared a day ahead. Cool it to room temperature, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and reheat gently on low heat, adding a splash of water if the gravy thickens too much.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Cooking With Chef Ashok specialize in?

A

Cooking With Chef Ashok focuses on Indian home‑cooking techniques, offering step‑by‑step tutorials for healthy, restaurant‑style dishes that use simple ingredients and minimal oil.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Cooking With Chef Ashok's approach to Indian cooking differ from other Indian cooking channels?

A

Chef Ashok emphasizes low‑oil methods, clear explanations of spice tempering, and practical tips for busy home cooks, whereas many other channels prioritize richer, higher‑fat preparations or elaborate plating.

channel

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