Lahori Palak Chicken

Ingredients

• 2 medium bunch of spinach (palak)
• 750 grams chicken, cut into 2 inch pieces on the bone
• 3 tablespoons ghee
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 star anise
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ inch cinnamon 
• 3-4 black peppercorns
• 1 black cardamom
• 2 green cardamoms
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon garlic paste
• ½ tablespoon ginger paste
• 2-3 green chillies, chopped
• 1 medium tomato, chipped
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 2 teaspoons red chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 2 teaspoons coriander powder
• ¼ cup yogurt
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon roasted dried fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi) powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala powder
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• Paranthe to serve

Method

1. Thinly shred the spinach leaves. 
2. Heat ghee in a non-stick deep pan, add cumin seeds and let them change colour. Add star anise, bay leaf, cinnamon, black peppercorns, black cardamom and green cardamoms, mix well and saute for 1 minute. 
3. Add onions, mix and cook till golden brown. Add garlic paste, ginger paste and green chillies, mix well and saute for 1-2 minutes.
4. Add chicken, mix well and saute on high heat for 3-4 minutes. 
5. Add tomato, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder and coriander powder and mix well. Add ½ cup water and mix well.
6. Add yogurt, mix and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add salt, mix and cook for 3-4 minutes.
7. Add spinach, mix well and cook for 7-10 minutes.
8. Add sugar, kasuri methi powder, garam masala powder and lemon juice, mix well and cook for 1-2 minutes.
9. Transfer into a serving bowl and serve hot with paranthe.