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Chicken korma recipe | How to make chicken korma

By swasthi , on June 16, 2020, 149 Comments, Jump to Recipe

Chicken korma recipe with video and step by step photos – Korma is a delicious gravy usually made with onions, spices, nuts, yogurt, seeds, coconut, vegetables or meat. It originated in the Indian subcontinent during the Mughal Era & later became immensely popular across the world.

chicken korma

There are so many ways a korma is made, most of them are adapted to the regional cuisines. So ingredients like coconut, poppy seeds, almonds, cashews & yogurt are most commonly used based on the region.

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My recipe is pretty straight forward and uses only pantry staples. It will help you make a very tasty, flavorful, creamy and delicious chicken korma.

It is best served with butter naan, roti, paratha or with steamed basmati rice & Jeera rice.

Onions, nuts and yogurt form the base for this chicken korma. To begin with, first onions are sauteed in oil until golden and then they are pureed with the nuts and yogurt. Nuts help the gravy to thicken and impart a creamy texture.

Later it is spiced and cooked with marinated & sauteed chicken.

You may like to check
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Butter chicken
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Chicken masala

Preparation for chicken korma

1. To a mixing bowl, add

  • ½ kg chicken (1.2 lbs)
  • 3 tablespoons plain yogurt (or coconut milk)
  • 1 tablespoon ginger garlic (We usually rub the chicken with turmeric and then rinse off before cooking. Hence the yellow color here.)
adding yogurt ginger garlic to make chicken korma

2. Next add

  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon red chili powder (or paprika)
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • ½ teaspoon salt
adding spice powders to marinate chicken for korma

3. Mix all of them and set aside until needed. You can also refrigerate this overnight.

marinating chicken for korma

4. While the chicken marinates, go ahead with the recipe. Heat 1½ tablespoon oil or ghee in a pan. Add 2 to 3 cardamoms. I used a bit more here as we like the flavor.

sauteing spices to make chicken korma

Preparation for chicken korma

5. Add 1 cup sliced onions (2 medium onions). Saute them stirring often until golden brown & caramelized.

adding onions to make chicken korma
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6. This is how the onions look – golden brown & caramelized. Turn off the stove. Add 4 almonds and 6 cashews. Cool this completely.

frying nuts to make chicken korma

7. Add the onions and nuts to a grinder or blender jar. Pour ¼ cup yogurt or coconut milk.

adding yogurt to make paste for chicken korma

8. Blend to a smooth puree. If you do not have a powerful blender, then you may pour half cup water and blend. (remember to skip adding water later for the gravy)

making fine onion paste for chicken korma
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How to make chicken korma

9. Pour 1 tablespoon oil to the same pan and spread the oil. Then add the following whole spices: (skip if you don’t have)

  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 cloves
  • 1 cardamom
  • 2 inch cinnamon. I used Ceylon cinnamon so used more. If you are using cassia, just use a 2 inch thin strip. Saute the spices for a min.
adding spices to make chicken korma

10. Add marinated chicken and slit green chilli (optional).

frying chicken to make korma

11. Saute on a medium heat until the raw smell of ginger garlic goes away. This takes about 5 to 7 mins.

frying chicken marinade to make korma

12. Add the onion paste. Pour ½ cup water.

adding onion paste & water to make chicken korma

13. Add ¼ teaspoon salt.

adding salt to make chicken korma
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14. Add ½ to ¾ teaspoon garam masala and 1½ teaspoon coriander powder. You can also add little chili powder if you prefer red color korma.

adding spice powders to make chicken korma

15. Mix well. Cover and cook on a medium heat until the chicken turns tender and is soft cooked.

simmer chicken korma on a low flame

16. Taste test and add more salt if needed. Once done, if the korma is too thick, add some hot water to bring it to consistency. Sprinkle some coriander leaves.

garnish with coriander leaves
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Serve chicken korma with rice, jeera rice, roti, naan or paratha.

chicken korma recipe

Tips to make chicken korma

  1. Bone-in chicken tastes best in this recipe as the juices from the bones seep to the korma and make the gravy delicious.
  2. Marinating the chicken is optional. It is just done to tenderize the meat. If you prefer to skip the step, add all of the marinade ingredients together to the pan along with chicken.
  3. A korma curry gets its creamy texture from yogurt and nut paste. Traditional korma recipe does not use any kind of starch to thicken the curry.
  4. The aroma comes from the fried onion paste, take care to fry the onions evenly.
  5. If you have a nut allergy just skip the nuts in the recipe and add more yogurt.

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chicken korma recipe

Chicken korma recipe | How to make chicken korma

Delicious creamy chicken korma made made with yogurt,nuts, spices and onions as the base. This is best served with plain rice, naan, paratha or roti.
Pin Recipe Print Recipe

For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Servings4
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

marinade

  • ½ kg chicken (bone-in) (1 to 1.2 lb)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 3 tablespoons plain yogurt or coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste (ground or crushed in equal quantities)
  • ¾ to 1 teaspoon garam masala or korma masala
  • 1 to 1¼ tsp red chili powder (less spicy variety, minimum ½ tsp)
  • ½ teaspoon salt

To saute & blend

  • 1½ tablespoon oil or ghee
  • 2 green cardamoms
  • 1 cup onions sliced (2 medium)
  • 6 cashews
  • 4 almonds (or substitute with cashews)
  • ¼ cup plain yogurt or coconut milk

For chicken korma gravy

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 small bay leaf (optional)
  • 4 cloves (optional)
  • 2 inch cinnamon (optional)
  • 1 cardamom (optional)
  • 1 to 2 green chilies slit or chopped (optional)
  • ½ cup water (more if needed)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon garam masala
  • 1½ teaspoon coriander powder (ground coriander)
  • ¼ teaspoon red chili powder (optional, for color)
  • 3 tablespoons coriander leaves (cilantro) chopped
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Instructions

Marination for chicken korma recipe

  • To a mixing bowl, add chicken, 3 tablespoons yogurt, 1 tbsp ginger garlic paste, ¼ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp salt, 1 tsp red chili powder and 1 tsp garam masala. 
  • Mix all of them well. Cover and set aside until needed.

Make onion paste

  • Heat a pan with 1½ tbsps oil and add 2 cardamoms.
  • Add sliced onions and fry them evenly until golden brown. Next add cashews and almonds. Cool these completely. 
  • Later add the cooled onions and nuts to a blender jar along with yogurt. Blend these to a smooth puree. Set this aside.

How to make chicken korma

  • To the same pan, add 1 tablespoon oil and heat it.
  • Optional – Saute whole spices – bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves and cardamom in oil for a min.
  • Add green chilli and marinated chicken. Saute on a medium heat until the raw smell of ginger garlic paste goes away. This takes about 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Then add the onion nut puree. Pour ½ cup water and mix well.
  • Add salt, coriander powder and garam masala. If needed you can also add more chili powder for color.
  • Mix well. Cover and cook on a low flame until chicken is cooked to tender.
  • Cook further till the gravy reaches a desired consistency. If it is too thick then pour some hot water to bring it to consistency.
  • Garnish with coriander leaves.
  • Serve chicken korma with jeera rice, plain basmati rice, butter naan, roti or paratha.
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Notes

You may skip the whole spices but they release a nice aroma when added to the hot oil.
The amount of water to use may vary as it depends on the age of the chicken used. Older chicken requires more water. So pour water just as needed.
If you do not have a powerful blender, you may blend the onions and onions with half cup water called in the recipe.

Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.

Video

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Chicken korma recipe | How to make chicken korma
Amount Per Serving
Calories 405 Calories from Fat 261
% Daily Value*
Fat 29g45%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Cholesterol 98mg33%
Sodium 558mg24%
Potassium 398mg11%
Carbohydrates 8g3%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 26g52%
Vitamin A 490IU10%
Vitamin C 6.4mg8%
Calcium 80mg8%
Iron 1.9mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

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About swasthi

I’m Swasthi shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthis recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

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  2. Carla says

    March 26, 2020

    Very yummy! How thick should the gravy get? It was a little thin and didn’t coat the chicken.

    My husband said it tasted like some more, lol.

    Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      March 27, 2020

      Hi Carla,
      Thank you! The gravy should coat the chicken. You can cook further to thicken it. Usually it thickens upon cooling. Hope this helps

      Reply
  3. Warren says

    March 24, 2020

    5 stars
    Tastes great. Nice dish. I have marinaded the chicken for the 30 mins. Is there a maximum length of time you would suggest to marinade?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      March 26, 2020

      Hi Warren
      Thank you! You can keep the marinated chicken for upto 24 hours in fridge.

      Reply
  4. Aisha says

    March 1, 2020

    Hello,
    Should I double all the ingredients if I am making 2 pound chicken?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      March 1, 2020

      Hi Aisha,
      Yes you can double the recipe

      Reply
  5. Simal Kaur says

    February 14, 2020

    Hi please tell me the quantity of onions for 1full chotta chicken ???
    Please reply

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      February 14, 2020

      Hi Simal,
      I guess a small chicken can be anywhere in between half to 3/4 kg. You can use about 1 1/2 cup onions.

      Reply
      • Simal Kaur says

        February 14, 2020

        Ok thanks alot

        Reply
  6. Noella says

    December 17, 2019

    The recipe calls for 2 green cardamoms in the paste and 1 more for the gravy. Yet when sautéing cardamom for the paste the recipe says to put 4 cardamoms in the pan. Which is the correct number to use for the paste.

    Are the cardamoms then added to the blender along with the onions, nuts and yogurt?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      December 17, 2019

      Hi Noella,
      Please use only 2. Yes they go to the blender with onions, nuts & yogurt.

      Reply
  7. Roger Thomas says

    September 7, 2019

    5 stars
    Great, easy to follow and super resilt. Thanks

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      September 8, 2019

      Welcome Roger

      Reply
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  9. Jenny says

    August 11, 2019

    5 stars
    Absolutely delish and so easy. We had ours with roti and it was perfectly filling. We don’t eat much meat in our home so decided to substitute the chicken with a sliced up Quorn roast. It was moist and just as flavorful. Thank you!

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      August 13, 2019

      Hi Jenny,
      You are welcome. Glad it turned out delicious. I had never come across Quorn roast until I read your comment. Thank you!
      🙂

      Reply
  10. Dawn says

    July 24, 2019

    This looks amazing, but I’m trying to remain dairy free. Do you think I could use coconut milk instead of yogurt?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 24, 2019

      Hi Dawn,
      Thank you. Yes you can use coconut milk instead of yogurt. Just skip the yogurt in the marinade. Add some coconut milk to blend the onions. Hope you enjoy the chicken korma.

      Reply
      • Dawn says

        July 25, 2019

        Thank you!

        Reply
  11. Shrubali says

    May 1, 2019

    5 stars
    Thanks for this brilliant and simple recipe…

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      May 7, 2019

      Welcome Shrubali

      Reply
  12. Marlene Granger says

    April 4, 2019

    5 stars
    This Chicken Korma was the best.
    Tasty and so yummy
    Thanks

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      April 5, 2019

      Welcome Marlene,
      Glad to know your korma turned out the best.
      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  13. Nagina says

    March 3, 2019

    Tried your korma recipe and it turned out super yum.me and my husband both loved it.The only change i did was that i added tomato puree also and used chicken broth too.thanks

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      March 7, 2019

      Thank you Nagina

      Reply
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  15. Allison says

    February 16, 2019

    Thank you for the korma recipe. We’ll try it soon. Did you make your own ginger garlic paste by grating them together?

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      February 16, 2019

      Hi Allison,
      You are welcome. I make my own ginger garlic paste by following this ginger garlic paste recipe. For smaller quantities you can just grate them together and crush until smooth.

      Reply
  16. Neha says

    October 4, 2018

    5 stars
    Amazing recipe! I love your recipes! Been following them for a lot of dishes! Thank you and God bless you. I would like to subscribe to your page. Please let me know how that is possible. Thanks.
    Neha

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      October 4, 2018

      Welcome Neha,
      Thanks a lot for the wishes. I registered your email id for the subscription. Please confirm the subscription when you receive the mail.The subscription box is in the side bar in home page.
      🙂

      Reply
  17. Shefali says

    September 23, 2018

    5 stars
    Tried ur recipe for korma and it turned out awesome.. I have added cream and kasoori methi in the end for that added flavour..

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      September 23, 2018

      Hi Shefali,
      Thank you so much. Glad to know it turned out good. Yes kasuri methi will enhance the flavor.
      🙂

      Reply
  18. Marta says

    August 29, 2018

    5 stars
    I cooked your Chicken Korma yesterday for dinner and it turned out great. I followed the instructions 100%, and I think this dish is amazing as it is!
    I think I will be trying the Butter Chicken next 😉 Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      August 29, 2018

      Hi Marta
      You are welcome. Thanks a lot for trying. Glad it turned out good. Yes do try the butter chicken.
      🙂

      Reply
  19. Preeti says

    August 20, 2018

    5 stars
    Tried the chicken kadai…..it was awesome…every1 loved the dish!!

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      August 23, 2018

      Thank you so much Preeti

      Reply
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  21. Sana says

    August 20, 2018

    5 stars
    My husband and I loved your recipe! The only thing I changed was that I added tomatoes with onion and cashew. It was awesome.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      August 20, 2018

      Hi Sana
      Thanks for trying the recipe. Glad to know chicken korma turned out good.
      🙂

      Reply
  22. James says

    July 2, 2018

    5 stars
    I tried this chicken korma and wow!. I haven’t had such a great korma in the recent times. Turned out fantastic.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      July 17, 2018

      Thanks for trying James

      Reply
  23. Sahil says

    June 25, 2018

    5 stars
    Your recipes are always awesome and easy. Very helpful to hosteliers like me.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      June 25, 2018

      Thank you so much

      Reply
  24. Khateeja Munazza says

    May 4, 2018

    5 stars
    Everyone loved the gravy… Thank you for the great recipe.

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      May 4, 2018

      Welcome Khateeja Munazza,
      Thanks for trying. Glad to know the korma turned out good.
      🙂

      Reply
  25. vadivel loganathan says

    January 25, 2018

    5 stars
    Hey could you please let me know how to subscriber your website…
    The dish was awesome everyone has to try it…

    Reply
    • swasthi says

      January 26, 2018

      That was a super quick try. Thanks for trying it. I have added your email id to the subscribers list. You will receive a mail shortly, do confirm the subscription.

      Reply
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