Chicken Korma is a luscious nut and tomato curry. It's flavored with warm earthy spices and finished with a drizzle of cream. It’s an indulgence and definitely not meant for days when you want to eat light. Some people might think that it’s a huge effort to make Chicken Korma, but the fact is that it's actually an easy curry to make. This super easy Chicken Korma curry takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. You do want to marinate the chicken overnight or at least 4 to 5 hours for the best result. Marinating chicken also helps in cooking the chicken faster while keeping the flavor intact.
What is Chicken Korma?
Chicken Korma/Murgh Korma is also sometimes referred as Mughlai Chicken. It is one of the most popular dishes from Mughal cuisine. It’s not a typical spicy chicken curry but more of a mellow type with a hint of fennel seed, cumin and coriander. What makes Chicken Korma special is the creamy gravy that is made with almond, cashew and poppy seeds blended with yogurt.
This is one of most favourite curry to prepare, especially on weekends. Sometimes instead of Chicken Korma, I prepare the same curry with vegetables or paneer or egg. The korma paste is what makes it so delicious. Every time I have a party, and my guests requests for chicken curry, I often make this curry. It is always loved by everybody and I don't have have any leftovers.
What ingredients are used in Chicken Korma Recipe?
Don't get intimidated with the long list of ingredients. Once you read the directions, you will realize it needs a little prep but other than that, it's easy!
Chicken – I always prefer to use a combination of boneless chicken thighs along with drumsticks. The cooking time will cut down a lot more if you use just boneless chicken thigh. I would recommend not to use chicken breast as it can get overcooked very easily as you simmer the curry.
White Poppy Seeds – While a lot of people may not use this in the Korma paste, using white poppy seeds adds a beautiful aroma and creaminess to the curry.
Yogurt – Plain white yogurt is added with nuts and white poppy seeds to make the korma paste.
Spices that go in – Fennel Seed and Green Cardamom, followed by the combination of Cumin Powder, Coriander Powder, Chili Powder, Fennel Powder and Turmeric. Apart from these spices, Garam Masala is also added right at the end.
Onion, Garlic and Ginger – The combination of red onion with garlic and ginger is almost a mandate in most chicken curries. For chicken korma, I do prefer to chop it very finely.
Chicken Korma is a nut based gravy, if you are allergic to nuts, you can make the korma paste with just poppy seeds and yogurt.
Almond and Cashew – Chicken Korma is a nut-based curry and the combination of almond with cashew makes it quite delicious!
Fresh Green Chili and Freshly Cracked Black Pepper – The korma paste gives a mild sweetness to the curry which calls for a good balance of heat. A couple of green chilies along with black pepper makes that beautiful flavor balance.
Ghee – It is a rich curry and so, I prefer to prepare it in ghee, but you can choose oil too.
Heavy Cream – A little drizzle of heavy cream at the end makes the Murgh Korma curry rich and luscious.
Can you use Coconut Milk instead?
Yes! You can absolutely use coconut milk instead of heavy cream and avoid the dairy. However, the taste of the chicken korma will also change a lot based on that.
I have prepared this murgh korma/chicken korma several times in the past. I have also made the same curry with paneer and mixed vegetables. The korma curry is always a hit with my friends and family. It tastes great with steamed white rice or with Indian flat bread (paratha), but with my Instant Naan, it is a feast!
Few other delicious Chicken Curry you would love to try:
Chicken Tikka Masala
Caramelized Onion Chicken Curry
Chicken Ghee Roast
Chicken Korma
flavored with warm earthy spices and finished with a drizzle of cream. It’s an
indulgence and definitely not meant for days when you want to eat light.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. chicken (mix of boneless thighs and drumsticks)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ cup nuts (cashew and almond)
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1- inch fresh ginger
- 1 medium red onion
- 2 green chili
- 1 tablespoon white poppy seeds
- 2 tablespoons plain thick yogurt
- 2 teaspoons ghee
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 5 green cardamoms
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin powder
- 1 tablespoon coriander powder
- ½ tablespoon fennel powder
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
Instructions
- If you are using drumsticks, make sure you score it before marinating the chicken. In a mixing bowl, add the chicken pieces with ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon turmeric and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Give it a mix and leave it aside for at least 4 to 5 hrs. Letting it marinate overnight in the refrigerator is advised as it helps in cooking the chicken faster.
- When you are ready to prepare the curry, soak the nuts in a bowl and leave it aside for 15 minutes.
- In the mean time, finely chop the onion, garlic and ginger along with the green chili (I removed the seeds of the green chili because my kid still can’t eat spicy food).
- After 15 minutes, peel the almond. The skin would come out easy. Discard the water and add the nuts in a small blender along with the poppy seeds and the yogurt. Blend it to a smooth puree.
- Place a pan at medium heat and once the pan heats up, add the ghee. Sprinkle the fennel seeds and cardamom. Let it sizzle for a few seconds. Then, add the chopped onion, garlic, ginger and green chili. Mix it around and add ½ teaspoon salt along with all the cumin powder, coriander powder, fennel powder, chili powder and rest of the turmeric. Give a mix and let it cook for 2 minutes.
- Layer the marinated chicken pieces and mix it around. Let it sizzle for 5 minutes.
- Add the nut puree and mix it around.
- Pour the tomato puree, give it a mix and cover the pan. Cook for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, the chicken should be cooked through. If not, continue cooking covered until the chicken is no longer raw.
- Finally, add the garam masala and cook for 2 minutes.
- Sprinkle the finely chopped cilantro leaves followed by the heavy cream. Mix it around. Check for salt and add any, if needed.
- Serve warm with your choice of bread or rice.
Nutrition
DISCLAIMER: This is an old post that I have updated with better photos and content.
Tika Hapsari Nilmada
Hi Kana... Indonesia has the same dish with nutty sauce as what you have here.
As usual, your photos are amazing. Thanks for submitting your photo to DMBLGiT January 2013 Edition. Wishing you good luck !
Zee
I'm usually not a big fan of korma but this one looks so different from what we make at home.. The addition of nuts is what's getting me excited to try out. Beautiful pictures!
Namitha
How have you been ? Saw your pictures from Paris, lovely 🙂 Hope you are having a great holiday season.
This is one of my favorite chicken dishes, so rich n creamy. I am in love with your pictures, so classy they look !
Nami | JOC
Although history wasn't my favorite subject (lots of memorization!), I realized it was fun reading about history behind food actually. What a delicious meal. I hope you had a happy Christmas and I look forward to more of your amazing posts next year!
sumika
Wow this looks delicious.... !!
Mallika
Beautiful Kankana, the pictures are gorgeous. Loved reading the fact you disliked history and why history teacher wouldn’t appreciate this! This will make up the perfect dish for this festive season. Happy holidays ahead!
nipponnin
Oh. I forgot to tell you. Have a wonderful holiday!
nipponnin
This story and dish are so interesting. The beautiful photos are very enticing.
Jacqueline
Another one of your glorious tasty dishes Kankana! It looks so delicious! Sending you warm wishes over the Holidays and all the best for 2013 🙂
Karen
So-o-o yummy! The preparation was intriguing and different from any other Indian dish I've made. A lot of different steps but it wasn't overwhelming. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the dish and can't wait to heat up the leftovers.
Kate@Diethood
I haven't had this since my trip to Australia ten years ago... but I remember it so well. It was out of this world delicious!
GORGEOUS photos, as always.
Hope you are enjoying your Holidays!! xo
Nancy/SpicieFoodie
Woooowww my mouth is watering now! This looks amazing, thanks so much for sharing Kankana. Happy Holidays!
maha
Delicious and creative, I'd love to try it....BTW plz visit my space n check out new FB page if u free..Hope u will ..thanx in advance.
maha
Pia
The mix of metal props and masala is stunning, Kankana! And the Korma looks divine. I've learnt to avoid Korma in the UK; it's usually sweet enough to be dessert.
Before we take off for Kolkata: a very merry Christmas to you and your family, from me, D and Chotto-Ma. Holiday hugs; and catch you in the new year! 🙂
tigerfish
I so love your photos! So professionally taken fit for the food magazines cover page. Thanks for sharing the background about Mughal dishes.
Deepa
So you have decided that you are gonna kill me with your killer recipe pictures !! The addition of fennel seeds, poppy seeds makes it so creamy and flavory..Would love to have this with some naan.
reese@SeasonwithSpic
I'm surely convinced that this majestic Mughal dish is worth all the effort for a festive table. What a great dish, Kankana! The last similar dish I had was during the Diwali festival at a friend's place in Malaysia. His chef wife prepared a massive spread and one of the dishes was spiced nut chicken. She told us that she ground the almonds & cashews with the traditional mortar & pestle. Yep! It was just a memorable meal! Thanks for sharing the recipe. I'd definitely try making it, but with the modern food processor:)
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy
I really love the color & consistency of the gravy Kankana. Yummy looking! My husband wud be so happy if I made this for him everyday, I havent for ages.
sulagna
Kankana this smells of royalty and grandeur and over the top celebration..perfect for a winter dinner when we have called a visiting Kaku Kakima home :)thanks for the idea
Sarvani
I make more or less a similar version.. and I prefer the creamy, nutty gravy to some of the red-hot spicy ones... and ghee always helps!!beautiful photographs!! pssst... saw your blog on the saveur's 'sites we love'.. brilliant!!!