This chicken stir fry is a terrific midweek meal. It will be on the table in just 30 minutes. It’s big on flavor and easy to clean up since it’s all made in one pan.
This recipe is a one-pan meal, which makes dinner super easy. I’ve prepared a free eBook of one-pan meals for you, so be sure to check out how to get your copy below!
Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday. Have you set your New Year’s resolutions, yet?
I’d like to experiment more with new flavors. So I’m kicking off the new year with this savory chicken stir fry that’s flavored with a beautiful medley of Indian spices.
I first became interested in Indian spices last fall when I saw the wonderful movie The Hundred-Foot Journey. The movie is about an Indian family that travels to France to open a restaurant. I wrote all about it when I was inspired to make you an Italian Frittata.
In the movie, the young chef Hassan (played by Manish Dayal) dares to update classic French recipes with Indian spices.
These spices intrigued me. Each spice has its own aroma and character. I’ve been experimenting with them ever since.
And they’re amazing. They make this quick and easy stir-fry super tasty.
Ingredients
I’ve seasoned it with some of my favorite Indian spices: smoky cumin, sweet coriander, pungent turmeric, and garam masala (a wonderful spice blend popular in Indian cooking).
If you’re already a fan of Indian cuisine, you probably have the necessary spices for this dish on hand. Just pick up some chicken, spinach, tomatoes, a red onion, mushrooms, cilantro and a lemon at your supermarket, and you can make this tonight.
How to make it
Ready to make the savory chicken stir fry with spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes?
In a large frying pan or wok, heat avocado oil over a medium flame. I love cooking with avocado oil. Refined avocado oil is highly nutritious and loaded with antioxidants.
It’s very heat-stable with one of the highest smoke points making it one of the best possible oils for stir frying. You don’t need to have a high flame. Just keep the flame on medium and make sure the oil doesn’t start to smoke.
Read more about cooking with healthy fats here.
Add chicken and cook, stirring continuously until the chicken is tender, about five minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside. Drain the pan juices from the wok and wipe the wok clean.
Now we’re ready to cook the vegetables.
Heat some more oil in the wok. Add spinach and season with turmeric, cumin, and coriander. Cook for a minute until the spinach wilts and the cumin is browned.
Add mushrooms, tomatoes, and onions. Stir and cook for fifteen minutes until softened and most of the liquid has evaporated.
Season with garam masala and salt. Stir and continue cooking for another minute.
Then stir in lemon juice and fresh chopped cilantro. Now if you like a little heat, you could add just a pinch of cayenne pepper. Just 1/8 of a teaspoon is all you need.
Finally, toss the chicken back in. Stir until well combined and serve.
Pro tips and recipe notes
- No avocado oil? No problem. You can use extra-virgin olive oil or any oil you prefer. You don’t need to have a high flame. Just keep the flame on medium and make sure the oil doesn’t start to smoke.
- I recommend pounding each chicken breast with a meat tenderizer because this cut can have a tendency to be a little tough. However, a few whacks with the mallet softens the fibers of the chicken, and your chicken will turn out nice and tender.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
This is a terrific midweek meal. It will be on the table in just 30 minutes. It’s big on flavor and easy to clean up since it’s all made in one pan.
I’d love to hear how you like it. Let me know in the comments below. Have a happy and healthy week!
If you enjoy this recipe, you might also enjoy my ebook One-Pan Meals that has many more easy and delicious recipes for you to try using just one pan so you won’t have to spend hours cleaning dishes.
More chicken recipes
Chicken Enchiladas – soft corn tortillas covered in melted cheese and stuffed with tender strips of chicken and a mouthwatering tomato and chili sauce.
Chicken Cacciatore – This is a healthy, hearty, rustic stew your whole family is sure to love.
Chicken Scarpariello – This is so quick and easy, you’ll be out of the kitchen in no time. It’s delicate, lemony flavor is sure to please your family and they won’t believe it’s gluten free.
Love this recipe? Pin it!
Savory Chicken Stir Fry With Spinach, Mushrooms, And Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons avocado oil divided
- 2 pounds of chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
- 5 ounces baby spinach
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 2 pounds mushrooms cleaned and sliced
- 1 red onion thinly sliced
- 2 tomatoes diced or 1 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
Instructions
- In a large frying pan or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of the avocado oil over a medium flame, but not smoking.
- Add chicken and cook, stirring continuously until the chicken is tender, about five minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside. Drain the pan juices from the wok. Wipe the wok clean so it will be ready for cooking your vegetables
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Add spinach and season with turmeric, cumin, and coriander. Cook for 1 minute. Add mushrooms, tomatoes, and onions. Stir and cook for 15 minutes.
- Add garam masala and salt. Stir and continue cooking for another minute.
- Stir in lemon juice, cilantro, and cayenne pepper (optional).
- Toss the chicken back in. Stir until well combined and serve.
Notes
- No avocado oil? No problem. You can use extra-virgin olive oil or any oil you prefer. You don’t need to have a high flame. Just keep the flame on medium and make sure the oil doesn’t start to smoke.
- I recommend pounding each chicken breast with a meat tenderizer because this cut can have a tendency to be a little tough. However, a few whacks with the mallet softens the fibers of the chicken, and your chicken will turn out nice and tender.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Caramelized Onion Dip Recipe - November 6, 2024
- Gluten Free Apple Cider Donut Recipe - October 29, 2024
- Easy Orange Posset Recipe - October 10, 2024
- Simple Creamy Lemon Posset Recipe - July 25, 2024
- 22 Keto Recipes With Ground Beef - January 29, 2024
zahra says
was looking for something like that. will try this
Barbara says
I’m so glad. It’s not the usual stir-fry. I hope you love it!
Hannah says
A must try recipe! Thank you for sharing!
Barbara says
Oh, good. Thanks, Hannah. 🙂
Olga says
Yum! I will definitely try this out! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Barbara says
You bet, Olga. I’d love for you to come back and tell me how you love it. 🙂
Tyane says
I’ve been looking for a new stir fry recipe. I’m sold with gluten free. I will definitely give this one a shot.
Barbara says
Wonderful! Stir fry meals are so quick and easy.
ada says
This is such a great recipe ! I think I am gonna try it tonight for dinner !! Thank you for sharing it and I cant wait to see more !
Barbara says
Oh, good Ada. It’s simple enough to make for a weeknight.:)
T.M. Brown says
Oh, this looks absolutely delicious and the list of ingredients is spectacular! Yum! I admit I have not seen The Hundred-Foot Journey yet, but you did inspire me to do so. Going on the must-see list and this recipe is going on the must-try list! Thanks for sharing!
Barbara says
Hey, Tina! It’s a fun film. I think you’ll like it (and I think you’ll like this stir-fry too) 🙂
Kristine-Bites of Flavor says
This sounds delicious!! I love stir frys for a quick dinner during the week!
Barbara says
Thank you, Kristine. Stir-frys come together fast and it’s fun to try the different seasonings, right?
MacKenzie says
Oh this looks good! I had no idea gluten free could look so delicious! I was gluten free for about 6 months back in 2014 and had such a difficult time with meal planning.
Barbara says
Thanks so much. I know changing the way we cook can be difficult at first.
Karyl | Karyl's Kulinary Krusade says
I love Indian foods and spices! I’m not a huge fan of cooked tomatoes, but this dish still looks delicious. Will have to try it out
Barbara says
Well then definitely forgo the tomatoes. It will still be an awesome dish. 🙂
Idriss says
This looks very delicious ! Thank you for sharing
Barbara says
Thanks so much, Idriss. I appreciate your comment.
Rebecca says
This looks delicious! I can’t wait to try it!
Barbara says
Thanks for the stars, Rebecca! You’re sweet.
Lisa | The Merry Momma says
This looks yummy! My mother-in-law is strictly gluten free, so I’m always on the lookout for something I can fix for her. So glad I stumbled upon your blog! I will bookmark it for future reference.
One thing I’ve learned, though, is that you even have to be careful with spices! I thought I was safe with “real food” and spices, but no. Even some packaged spices contain gluten !
Anyway, thanks for sharing your recipes, and I will be consulting your blog Soon!
Barbara says
Terrific, Lisa! I’m looking forward to seeing you again.
Glogeworld says
Wow! I feel hungry now, it looks yummy! Thanks for sharing this recipes
Barbara says
Haha Thanks!
Sofia says
Wow this looks so hearty and delicious – especially in winter!! Definitely bookmarking 🙂
Barbara says
These spices really warm you up on a cold day. So yummy. So glad that you like it. 🙂
Carola says
Sounds very good. I really love this. It looks delicious!
Barbara says
Hi, Carola. The spices are amazing. 🙂
Cindy says
So….. spinach is not listed as an ingredient? How much spinach? Anyone actually make this?
Barbara says
Hi Cindy, Thanks for the heads up. It’s 5 ounces of spinach. So sorry, I’ll add it to the recipe. 🙂
Angie Rose says
This looks absolutely delicious! We would love to have you share this over at this week’s Dishing It and Digging It party! Please feel free to join https://www.angiethefreckledrose.com/dishing-it-digging-it-132/
Marie Green says
What a quick, healthy recipe! The spices really shine in this recipe and I love the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric, along with the flavor of course :). Haven’t tried cooking with avocado oil yet but will give it a try. Do you find it gives a distinct flavor to a dish when cooking with it or is it pretty neutral?
Barbara says
Hi, Marie, I find that avocado oil is pretty neutral in taste. I also make some healthy french fries with it and they just taste fresh and clean.
Have a great week. 🙂
Elaine says
Such a great idea to make a stir-fry with Indian flavours!
Barbara Bianchi says
Thanks so much, Elaine. Have you seen the film that inspired my choice of spices, The Hundred Foot Journey? It’s a fun movie especially for foodies.
Thanks for the stars. 😘