Indian Chicken Korma Recipe (2024)

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Indian Chicken Korma Recipe is a traditional Indian / Pakistani curry, which is usually served with naan or rice. It usually has a rich and flavorful curry made from a paste of cashew nuts or almonds. It gets a vibrant flavor from a handful of a mix of spices. Learn all about Indian Chicken Korma recipe and my shortcut method to make your favorite Indian curry right at home.

I love sharing my favorite Pakistani and Indian recipes with you guys...make a complete meal by making this daal and matar pulao with this korma. Add this kachumber salad, and you're looking at a restaurant worthy meal, right in the comfort of your home! 🙂

Indian Chicken Korma Recipe (1)

Okay, so I have a confession. I don't make this Indian Chicken Korma recipe from scratch. I use a ready made spice mix, easily available at Indian stores (and in big superstores as well).

This allows me to quickly make Indian Chicken Korma right at home, without even having to make a paste of cashews or almonds! Really, that's how easy it is.

I love to make this Indian Chicken Korma recipe for dinner parties at home, because it's super easy but it tastes like you slaved for hours over it. Hehe.

Spices You Need

  • Red chilli (for a little bit of heat and color)
  • Ground coriander and cumin (for a deep earthy flavor)
  • Turmeric
  • Ginger
  • Cardamom
  • Black pepper
  • Ground cloves
  • Cinnamon powder
  • Mace powder
  • Bay Leaf

These are the aromatic spices which when combined, make a delicious Indian Chicken Korma recipe.

Indian Chicken Korma Recipe (2)

Boneless Chicken or Bone-In Chicken?

For more flavor, I recommend making this recipe with bone-in chicken. However, I totally make this korma with boneless chicken and it's definitely tasty.

In fact, when I posted this recipe for the first time, the pictured korma pictured below, was made with boneless chicken. So really, it's completely up to your preference.

Indian Chicken Korma Recipe (3)

How Do You Make It?

1.) In order to get this deep rich color and flavor for the Indian Chicken Korma recipe, we need to start with caramelizing onions.

Red onions are used here because they caramelize faster than other varieties and they have the right sweet flavor for this curry.

2.) Then these caramelized onions are blended with thick, creamy yogurt, so that it sort of becomes a flavor base.

Okay, so now let's put this carmalized onion-yogurt base on the side while we get to the other elements of the recipe.

3.) So now we add chicken to the same pot as the one in which we carmalized the onions.

Add some garlic ginger paste and fry on high until the chicken changes color.

4.) So now comes the sneaky shortcut. Look, I don't claim to be an authentic curry maker, even though I'm from South Asia and you would think curry runs through my veins and that I'm some sort of exotic spice mistress.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm no expert on making special spice mixes for curries.

So let's give a very warm welcome to our helpful, ready-made spice mix Shan Korma Masala.

This Shan spice mix is the best friend to all our curries cos ain't nobody got time to grind and make fresh spice mixes these days. Right, right?

Okay, so now with just a flick of our wrists, we add a bit of this Shan Korma Masala and cook the chicken until the spices wake up and the aroma of rich curry wafts through the kitchen.

So you can either order this online from Amazon, or visit an Indian or Asian supermarket nearby to buy this spice mix! 🙂

5.) And with a few more simple steps such as adding the caramelized-yogurt base and a bit more of cooking, you have the perfect, satisfying curry ready for a relaxing dinner at home.

Indian Chicken Korma Recipe (4)

Origins of this Mughlai Recipe

Did you know that Indian Chicken Korma recipe can be traced back to the 16th century! It's a part of mughlai cuisine which is known for its rich and spice fragrant curries.

The word mughlai comes from mughal, which quite literally means royalty. So this Indian Chicken Korma recipe, is a recipe fit for royalty! 🙂

Varitations

Instead of using chicken for this Indian korma recipe, you can even use vegetables or mutton. It would be equally delicious! 🙂

Indian Chicken Korma Recipe (5)

I know curries can be a bit daunting, but I hope the way I've explained it and the easy shortcut I mentioned will encourage you to try your hand at making this easy Indian Chicken Korma recipe at home. It's better than take out! 🙂

Indian Chicken Korma Recipe (6)

Looking for more easy curry recipes?

Daal: Indian Yellow Lentils

30 Minute Chickpea Curry

Spicy Minced Beef with Capsicum

Punjabi Karhi Pakora

Palak Chicken

Matar Paneer Recipe

Hariyali Chicken

Palak Paneer

Indian Chicken Korma Recipe (7)

Indian Chicken Korma Recipe

Indian Chicken Korma Recipe is a traditional Indian curry, which is usually served with naan or rice. It usually has a rich and flavorful curry made from a paste of cashew nuts or almonds. It gets a vibrant flavor from a handful of a mix of spices. Learn all about Indian Chicken Korma and my shortcut method to make your favorite Indian curry right at home.

4.75 from 8 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Pakistani/Indian

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Servings: 6

Calories: 405kcal

Author: Wajeeha Nadeem

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil
  • 4 medium sized red onions thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup full fat yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon garlic paste
  • 1 tablespoon ginger paste
  • 1000 grams bone-in chicken (skinless) (you may sub with boneless chicken breasts chopped into 1 inch cubes)
  • 1-2 tablespoons Shaan Korma Masala can be reduced or increased for heat
  • Salt to taste
  • 1-2 cups water
  • Chopped coriander for garnish.

Instructions

  • In a large pot, heat the oil and add the onions. Fry the onions on a medium high heat until caramelized and golden brown. The onions should be a deep, dark brown but not burnt. Take out the caramelized onions and place on kitchen paper to drain excess oil and let cool for a few minutes.

  • Add the caramelized onions and yogurt to a blender or a food processor and blend until smooth. You may need to add 1-2 tablespoons water to get a smoother paste. Set aside.

  • In the same pot, add the chicken and ginger garlic paste and cook on high heat until the chicken changes color and is no longer pink.

  • Add the Shaan Korma Masala and salt and cook for 5-7 minutes until the oil separates and you can no longer smell the rawness of the spices.

  • Add the yogurt-caramelized onions paste and water. Cook until it comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and let simmer for 15 minutes until you can see the oil separating from the curry.

  • Take off lid and bring to another boil by increasing the heat then and turn off the stove.

  • Garnish with chopped coriander. Serve with naan and white rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 405kcal

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @ikneadtoeat or tag #ikneadtoeat!

Indian Chicken Korma Recipe (8)
Indian Chicken Korma Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is chicken korma sauce made from? ›

Korma defies strict definition, but this Mughlai dish typically involves meat or vegetables braised in a relatively mild velvety yogurt sauce that's seasoned with aromatic spices. It often carries a nutty undertone from blended almonds, cashews, coconut, or poppy seeds.

What is the difference between chicken curry and korma? ›

Hence, korma has a yoghurt/cream-based mildly spicy gravy with a simmered centre component. Shahi korma, Mughalai korma, Hyderabadi korma, and Kashmiri korma are prime examples. On the other hand, curry is usually spicier and thicker than korma. It is similar to a pre-cooked sauce loaded with herbs and spices.

How to improve korma sauce? ›

To remedy this, you can add more spices like cumin, turmeric, coriander, and garam masala. Use fresh ginger and garlic: Fresh ginger and garlic add a lot of flavour to curries. You can add them to the sauce while it's cooking. Add a touch of sweetness: Some store-bought curry sauces can be quite sour.

Is chicken korma sauce sweet or spicy? ›

Is chicken korma very spicy? Chicken Korma is traditionally made from yogurt, coconut milk, and almonds, making it one of the mildest chicken curries. The thick and creamy sauce has a sweetish tang to it coming from the coconut and almonds and is usually made with tender chicken chunks and served with rice.

What is the best korma sauce to buy? ›

Mumtaz Creamy Korma Cooking Sauce is a culinary masterpiece that brings the rich and luxurious flavours of Korma to your kitchen. This versatile cooking sauce is a delightful fusion of fresh ingredients, crafted to deliver an authentic, restaurant-quality Korma experience from the convenience of your own home.

Which Indian curry is similar to korma? ›

Similar to a Korma but with a small touch of added spice, the Pasanda was originally made from lamb leg, but today often uses chicken or prawns. The mild curry flavour is attributed to the yoghurt marinade and coconut milk, often with the addition of peppercorns, garlic, cumin, and onions.

Is korma similar to tikka masala? ›

In short, both Chicken Shahi Korma and Chicken Tikka Masala are creamy and tasty. However, the chicken korma dish has fewer species and a creamier flavor, while chicken tikka is more flavorful due to the use of hot spices and varies in different tastes and flavors.

What is the English of korma? ›

The English name is an anglicisation of the Hindi-Urdu qormā (क़ोरमा, قورمہ), meaning "braise". It refers to the cooking technique used in the dish.

Why does my korma taste bitter? ›

With a meaty sauce that covers the veggies you cannot go wrong when serving this hearty meal to your family and friends. Your curry can taste bitter if the spices and garlic are burnt or if you've added too much fenugreek to the dish.

Why is my korma grainy? ›

It may take some time for the coconut and almond powders to dissolve enough so as not to be grainy in texture. If, unlike me, you don't like a grainy feel, soak the coconut and almond in 300ml of boiling water for 10 minutes to get the party started. A korma curry is supposed to be rich and creamy.

Which is better, Butter Chicken or chicken korma? ›

When it comes to the choice between Butter Chicken and Chicken Korma, it ultimately boils down to personal preference. Butter Chicken is the choice if you enjoy a creamy, tomato-based sauce with a sweet touch. Chicken Shahi Korma is the dish for you if you prefer a milder and nuttier savor with a rich, aromatic gravy.

Which is hotter vindaloo or korma? ›

Korma is as mild as Vindaloo is hot. Made from Coconut and Almond it is similar to Pasanda with the difference being that Korma includes Saffron which creates a pale yellow color while Pasanda is always white.

Why is my korma so sweet? ›

The spices used for the korma are subtle, with strong aromatics such as cardamom, cloves and cassia to give a gentle sweetness rather than the more robust spices used in tomato based masala sauces.

What does korma taste like? ›

Chicken Korma tends to have a slightly nutty essence because of ingredients like almonds, cashews, or coconut. It is garnished with fried onions, raisins, and chopped nuts, adding texture and visual appeal to the dish. Chicken Korma pairs well with aromatic rice or naan bread.

Is korma the same as chicken tikka masala? ›

Traditionally, tikka masala is made with smaller boneless chicken pieces, whereas Korma is made with larger portions of meat, such as chicken legs.

Is chicken korma like chicken tikka masala? ›

In the battle of spice dynamics, Korma employs a more subdued approach, relying on fragrant notes to create a nuanced backdrop. Tikka Masala, on the other hand, marches forward with a vibrant array of spices, where cumin, coriander, and paprika join forces to conquer taste receptors with their fiery embrace.

What is chicken korma vs tikka masala? ›

Korma: Richer and sweeter, often with yogurt, cashews, or cream in the sauce. It might have warm spices like cardamom and cloves. Tikka Masala: Brighter and tangier, flavored with ginger, garlic, and garam masala. The chicken is usually marinated in yogurt and spices before being cooked in the sauce.

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