This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my privacy policy.
Chicken Korma - Yummy chicken in rich yogurt curry Indian recipe. Simple step-by-step with pictures to make an easy and hearty meal.
Chicken Korma (Chicken in Rich Yogurt Curry) is a milder form of curry and is distinguished from other curries by its rich gravy and smooth texture, mainly because of its heavy incorporation of yogurt as part of its main ingredients.
For as long as I can remember, I have always been an avid admirer of Indian cooking, especially the amalgamation of spices involved in developing each unique curry.
Procuring these spices from the local Indian grocery store always bring back fond memories of the “spice trips” mom and I used to take to the Little India in my hometown of Penang.
The heady, robust fragrance of the variety of spices is inevitably what hits me first, sending images of juicy chunks of meat braising in a thick, rich, full-flavored curry to my brain as I try to hold back the drivel on the corner of my mouth while patiently awaiting mom to finish haggling with almost every shopkeeper along the street before my taste buds get to do the Bollywood boogie with the Chicken Korma and Squid Curry over a fluffy bed of basmati rice.
Along with Chicken Tikka Masala and Butter Chicken, Korma is undoubtedly one of the more popular items that can be found on the menu of any authentic Indian restaurant.
Korma, also spelled as Khurma or Kurma, is a milder form of curry and is distinguished from other curries by its rich gravy and smooth texture, mainly because of its heavy incorporation of yogurt as part of its main ingredients.
Although it may seem like a complicated dish at first, what with all the different spices involved, Korma is actually not that difficult to master.
The main thing is to tweak it to your fancy.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy my take of this world-renowned dish of Indian origin – the Chicken Korma.
It is definitely a “must try” dish for any gathering and I am highly confident that it will impress not only yourself, but also your friends and family as well.
Table of Contents
How Many Calories per Serving?
This recipe is only 329 calories per serving.
What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?
For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
For more great recipes like this, sign up for our newsletter. We’ll send daily recipes you’ll love!
Join
Sign up for our newsletter!
Chicken Korma
Chicken Korma (Chicken in Rich Yogurt Curry) is a milder form of curry and is distinguished from other curries by its rich gravy and smooth texture, mainly because of its heavy incorporation of yogurt as part of its main ingredients.
4.50 from 6 votes
Print
By Bee Yinn Low
Yield 4people
Prep 1 hourhr
Cook 40 minutesmins
Total 1 hourhr40 minutesmins
Ingredients
1 1/2lbs (750g)chicken, cut into pieces
2 1/2tablespoonsbutter(ghee or oil)
1 1/2teaspoonscumin seeds
2inch (5cm)cinnamon stick, lightly bruised
2cardamons
2cloves
2bay leaves
4black peppercorns(lightly crushed)
1/2tablespoonminced ginger
1/2tablespoonminced garlic
Marinade:
1teaspoonsalt
1 1/2teaspoonsGaram Masala
1/4teaspoonturmeric powder
1teaspooncoriander powder
1teaspooncumin powder
1 1/2tablespoonschili powder or paprika
1 1/2cupsplain yogurt(lightly whipped)
2/3cupfried onions(lightly crushed)
Instructions
Marinate chicken with Marinade ingredients for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Heat up wok with 2 1/2 tablespoons butter, stir-fry the items listed under Ingredients and let the whole spices to sizzle a bit until fragrant. Toss in the marinated chicken (with the marinade) and continue to stir-fry for 10 minutes.
Turn heat to medium-low, cover the wok and cook for 30 minutes, or until the oil slightly separates, chicken is tender enough, and you have achieved the gravy consistency that you prefer.
Salt to taste, and add some water if the dish appears to be too dry. Dish out and serve with basmati rice orNaanbread.
Notes
Mutton, lamb, beef and vegetable makes delightful Korma as well. If you prefer, substitute yogurt with cream or coconut milk, or a combination of them. Fried onions can be substituted with fried shallots. To prepare fried onions at home, deep-fry finely sliced onions on high heat for 10 minutes or until color changes to almost translucent and crispy. Spread out on paper towels and pat dry.
Course: Indian Recipes
Cuisine: Chicken
Keywords: Chicken Korma
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Korma
Amount Per Serving (4 people)
Calories 329Calories from Fat 207
% Daily Value*
Fat 23g35%
Saturated Fat 10g63%
Cholesterol 91mg30%
Sodium 749mg33%
Carbohydrates 11g4%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 19g38%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
Both taste very different as the ingredients used are also different. So a kurma is not the same as Korma. South Indian kurma has coconut as the key ingredient, sometimes poppy seeds are also used. Ingredients like roasted chana dal and cashews are used as a thickener in the new-day versions.
Chicken korma is a mild curry dish originating from traditional Indian cuisine. Boneless chicken pieces are braised in a rich, creamy sauce made from yoghurt and nuts (almonds and cashews are favourites), with delicate, aromatic flavours, such as cardamom, rosewater and saffron.
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.
Korma or qorma (Urdu: قورمہ; Hindi: क़ोरमा; Bengali: কোরমা) is a dish originating in the Indian subcontinent, consisting of meat or vegetables braised with yogurt (dahi), water or stock, and spices to produce a thick sauce or gravy.
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.
Butter Chicken has a tangy and slightly sweet taste due to the tomatoes and cream, while Chicken Korma offers a milder and nuttier flavor profile. Butter Chicken is generally more affluent and creamier, whereas Chicken Korma has a more delicate and aromatic taste.
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.
Is chicken korma healthy? Unfortunately, like many other Indian curries, Chicken Korma is generally perceived as an unhealthy food as its calorie-count amounts to around 300-330 calories per serving. You can always opt for healthier options by tweaking a few ingredients here and there.
Add more spices: Store-bought curry sauces often lack the depth of flavour that homemade sauces have. 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.
Butter chicken is a tomato-based curry made with grilled marinated chicken simmered in a creamy, spicy gravy. So, although the curries share some similarities, butter chicken offers a more robust, tangy flavor than korma's milder, subtler spice profile.
The terms "korma" and "curry" are often used interchangeably, but there are actually some key differences between the two dishes. Korma is a type of curry that is characterized by its mild flavor and creamy texture. It is typically made with yogurt, cream, and nuts, and it often includes meat or vegetables.
Korma is a dish originating in the Indian subcontinent consisting of meat or vegetables braised with yogurt or cream, water or stock, and spices to produce a thick sauce or glaze. The word korma is derived from Urdu qorma, korma or kormah, meaning “braise”, and referring to the cooking technique used in the dish.
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.
Korma, also known as kurma is an aromatic Indian gravy dish made with yogurt, nuts, seeds, spices, onions, coconut & a main ingredient like meat or vegetables.
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.
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.
Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.