Chicken Korma: A Flavorful Journey of Spices and Creamy Goodness ๐๐
If youโre craving a dish thatโs rich, creamy, and packed with layers of aromatic spices, this Chicken Korma recipe is exactly what you need. This traditional Indian dish combines tender chicken with a luscious, spiced sauce thatโs sure to warm your soul and tantalize your taste buds. Whether youโre preparing this for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, Chicken Korma is sure to impress.
Ingredients
For the Sauce/Marinade:
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breast or thighs, chopped into bite-sized pieces ๐
- ยฝ cup cashews, lightly chopped (or use almonds) ๐ฅ
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste (optional) ๐
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped ๐ง
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger ๐ฟ
- 1 tablespoon garam masala ๐ถ๏ธ
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes ๐ถ๏ธ
- 1 teaspoon paprika ๐ถ๏ธ
- 1 teaspoon turmeric ๐ฟ
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander ๐ฟ
- ยฝ teaspoon ground cardamom ๐ฟ
- ยฝ teaspoon cumin ๐ฟ
- ยฝ teaspoon cinnamon ๐ฟ
- Salt and pepper to taste ๐ง
- 1 cup plain yogurt (Greek yogurt is great) ๐ฅ
For the Chicken Korma:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil ๐ซ
- 2-3 spicy chili peppers, chopped – I used serrano peppers ๐ถ๏ธ
- 1 medium onion, chopped ๐ง
- ยฝ cup chicken stock (or more as needed, to simmer) ๐ฒ
- 1 cup heavy cream (or use coconut milk) ๐ฅฅ
For Serving:
- Fresh chopped herbs ๐ฟ
- Spicy red chili flakes ๐ถ๏ธ
- Cashews ๐ฅ
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken:
- Begin by chopping the chicken into bite-sized pieces and placing them in a large bowl. Set aside. ๐
2. Create the Marinade:
- In a food processor, pulse the cashews until they break down into small pieces. Add the tomato paste, chopped garlic, minced ginger, and all the seasonings (garam masala, red pepper flakes, paprika, turmeric, ground coriander, ground cardamom, cumin, and cinnamon). ๐ฅ๐ง๐ฟ
- Add salt and pepper to taste, then pulse to form a thick paste. If the mixture is too thick, add a couple of tablespoons of water to thin it slightly.
3. Mix with Yogurt:
- In a small bowl, combine the paste with plain yogurt, stirring until smooth. ๐ฅ
4. Marinate the Chicken:
- Pour the yogurt marinade over the chopped chicken, mixing well to ensure every piece is coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop. For an even deeper flavor, let it marinate overnight. ๐โ๏ธ
5. Cook the Korma:
- When ready to cook, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. ๐ซ๐ฅ
- Add the chopped chili peppers and onion, cooking for about 5 minutes until softened. ๐ถ๏ธ๐ง
- Add the marinated chicken, including all the marinade (now the Korma sauce), and pour in the chicken stock. Stir well and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. ๐๐ฒ
6. Finish with Cream:
- Stir in the heavy cream or coconut milk, and let the mixture simmer for an additional 10 minutes. You can simmer longer if you prefer a richer flavor. ๐ฅฅ
7. Serve and Garnish:
- Once the Korma is ready, garnish with fresh chopped herbs, spicy red chili flakes, and cashews. Serve hot with your favorite naan or rice. ๐ฟ๐ถ๏ธ๐ฅ
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Calories: 320 Kcal per serving
Final Thoughts
Chicken Korma is more than just a dish; itโs a celebration of spices, flavors, and textures. The creamy sauce, spiced perfectly with traditional Indian seasonings, pairs beautifully with tender chicken, creating a meal thatโs both comforting and exotic. Whether you’re new to Indian cuisine or a seasoned cook, this Chicken Korma recipe will bring a taste of something special to your table. Enjoy! ๐
PrintChicken Korma ๐๐
- Total Time: 45min
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
For the Sauce/Marinade:
2 pounds boneless chicken breast or thighs, chopped into bite-sized pieces ๐
ยฝ cup cashews, lightly chopped (or use almonds) ๐ฅ
3 tablespoons tomato paste (optional) ๐
4 cloves garlic, chopped ๐ง
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger ๐ฟ
1 tablespoon garam masala ๐ถ๏ธ
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes ๐ถ๏ธ
1 teaspoon paprika ๐ถ๏ธ
1 teaspoon turmeric ๐ฟ
1 teaspoon ground coriander ๐ฟ
ยฝ teaspoon ground cardamom ๐ฟ
ยฝ teaspoon cumin ๐ฟ
ยฝ teaspoon cinnamon ๐ฟ
Salt and pepper to taste ๐ง
1 cup plain yogurt (Greek yogurt is great) ๐ฅ
For the Chicken Korma:
1 tablespoon olive oil ๐ซ
2–3 spicy chili peppers, chopped – I used serrano peppers ๐ถ๏ธ
1 medium onion, chopped ๐ง
ยฝ cup chicken stock (or more as needed, to simmer) ๐ฒ
1 cup heavy cream (or use coconut milk) ๐ฅฅ
For Serving:
Fresh chopped herbs ๐ฟ
Spicy red chili flakes ๐ถ๏ธ
Cashews ๐ฅ
Instructions
1๏ธโฃ Add the chopped chicken to a large bowl and set aside. ๐
2๏ธโฃ Add the cashew nuts to a food processor and pulse to break them up. Add the tomato paste, garlic, ginger, and seasonings. Add salt and pepper to taste and pulse to form a thick paste. If it is too thick, add a couple tablespoons of water to thin it just slightly. ๐ฅ๐ง๐ฟ
3๏ธโฃ Mix the paste in a small bowl with the yogurt. ๐ฅ
4๏ธโฃ Spoon the marinade over the chopped chicken and mix well. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour to let the flavors develop. You can leave it overnight to develop even more flavor. ๐โ๏ธ
5๏ธโฃ When youโre ready to cook, heat the oil in a large pan. ๐ซ๐ฅ
6๏ธโฃ Add the peppers and onion and cook them down for 5 minutes to soften. ๐ถ๏ธ๐ง
7๏ธโฃ Add the chicken with all of the marinade (Korma sauce) along with the chicken stock. Stir and cook for 15 minutes, stirring here and there. ๐๐ฒ
8๏ธโฃ Stir in the heavy cream or coconut milk and simmer for 10 more minutes. You can simmer longer if youโd like to let the flavors develop more. ๐ฅฅ
9๏ธโฃ Garnish with fresh chopped herbs, spicy red chili flakes, and cashews to serve. ๐ฟ๐ถ๏ธ๐ฅ
- Prep Time: 15min
- Cook Time: 30min
Nutrition
- Calories: 320 Kcal