This Chicken Korma recipe is the best curry recipe I’ve ever made and the best chicken korma I’ve ever had. My Indian husband says it will change your life. It’s gone viral on Instagram 3 times! Don’t miss out.
Get ready to fall in love with this dish: cubes of juicy boneless chicken cooked in a nut and cream korma sauce flavored with spices.
There’s just so much authentic flavor in this tested-till-perfect recipe for Chicken Korma curry. Let’s dive into this recipe that rivals a restaurant!.
Northern India is where the popular curry dish chicken korma comes from. It’s a favorite Indian dish all over the world because of its soft, rich sauce. But for people who have never tried Indian food, chicken korma’s taste and texture may seem strange. This is a detailed look at what chicken korma tastes like.
A Quick Overview of Chicken Korma
Chicken korma is a mildly spiced curry made by braising chicken in a sauce containing yogurt, cream, spices, and ground nuts like cashews or almonds. The sauce usually consists of a pureed onion-tomato base enriched with the nuts and dairy. Traditional recipes call for adding saffron, cardamom, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, bay leaves, turmeric, ginger, and garlic.
The result is a luxuriously smooth and creamy curry with a mild, slightly sweet nutty flavor. The chicken pieces end up succulent and melt-in-your-mouth tender after being slowly simmered in the fragrant sauce. Chicken korma can range from a thin gravy to a thick stew-like consistency depending on the recipe. It’s customarily served with steamed basmati rice or warm Indian flatbreads like naan.
The Creamy, Nutty Flavor
The ground cashews or almonds that are mixed into the chicken korma give it its main flavors. This gives the curry a rich, creamy taste with hints of nuts. The nuts thicken the sauce while adding body and texture. Most of the time, yogurt or cream is added to the sauce to make it even creamier.
Onions are first sautéed until caramelized before the spices are added. This deepens and enriches the flavor base. A host of warm Indian spices like coriander, cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, and bay leaves infuse the sauce with aromatics. But the spices are subtle, not overpowering.
Overall, chicken korma has a mildly spiced, soothing flavor punctuated by the nuttiness. Think creamy and comforting with a hint of sweetness.
The Silky Smooth Texture
Not only is chicken korma praised for its unique flavor, but also for its rich, velvety texture. Ground cashews or almonds give the mixture a rich thickness, and dairy products like yogurt and cream make it lusciously creamy.
Usually, the sauce is pureed to make it very smooth and silky, so it coats the mouth. After being slowly cooked in the sauce, the chicken pieces are so tender that they fall apart. The korma sauce sticks to the chicken well and covers it in a rich, creamy, nutty sauce with every bite.
For maximum richness, some recipes call for finishing the korma with a final splash of heavy cream. This puts it over the top in terms of indulgent texture.
Mild, Subtle Spicing
While often featuring a long list of spices, chicken korma has a universally mild spicing. The spices are meant to infuse the sauce with warmth and fragrance, not overwhelm it with heat.
Onion, garlic, ginger, and sometimes green chilies provide subtle background savoriness. Spices like cumin, coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper offer layered aromatics. But none of the spices take center stage.
The overall effect is a gently spiced curry focusing more on nutty creaminess than bold heat. That said, some recipes may incorporate a few extra chilies for a little kick.
Satisfying Balance of Flavors
Chicken korma strikes an immensely satisfying balance of flavors and textures. The sweet nuttiness interplays with the creamy dairy and subtle aromatic spices. Slow braising renders the chicken succulent and tender.
Every component – the cashews, yogurt, spices, chicken – complements each other beautifully. This harmony of tastes and textures makes chicken korma an enduring favorite in Indian cuisine. Its mildly spiced, luxuriously smooth flavor profile provides a soothing curry experience.
Gather Your Ingredients to Make the BEST Chicken Korma Ever!
- Onion: When cooked slowly, the onions make the sauce sweet and blend right in.
- A few garlic cloves and fresh ginger
- Chilies: Thai green chilies are the norm, but red Thai bird chilies can be used if you can find them.
- A bunch of ground and whole spices are used in Korma. These are garam masala, ground coriander, cinnamon, red chili powder (like Kashmiri chili powder or cayenne), ground cinnamon, and whole green or black cardamom pods. A teaspoon of ground cumin, a little black pepper, and/or a few whole cloves could also be added.
- Tomato: I like to use tomato puree from a can, but if you have a whole juicy tomato on hand, you can use that instead.
- Chicken: I like boneless chicken for this recipe because it’s already heavy and doesn’t need more fat from the bones. You can use bone-in chicken instead, though, if you have it on hand.
- Nuts: I use almond butter to make things easy and extra creamy. You could substitute whole cashew nuts and finely chop them.
- Cheese: any kind of plain cheese is fine, like Greek, regular, or coconut cheese.
- Cream: This recipe calls for whipping cream (or 45% fat), but you can use canned or homemade coconut milk instead if you’d rather. Just don’t use milk or half-and-half because it may curdle.
Note: there’s no need to buy a specific korma curry paste. You can get a lot more flavor without buying an extra jar if you use a few fresh aromatics and common pantry spices.
To make this Chicken Korma recipe, you’ll need a few essential tools to help you get the job done right. Here are some tools you’ll want to have on hand before you start cooking:
- Large saucepan: To cook the onions and spices evenly and avoid burning, you’ll need a pot or Dutch oven with a heavy bottom.
- Immersion Blender: You don’t have to use an immersion blender to make the sauce smooth and creamy.
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FAQ
Does chicken korma taste like butter chicken?
What’s the main difference between chicken korma and butter chicken? Chicken Kkrma is known for its creamy texture and mildly spiced flavor, whereas butter chicken has a rich, velvety tomato-based sauce with a slightly tangy taste.
What is the taste of chicken korma?
Chicken Korma tends to have a slightly nutty essence because of ingredients like almonds, cashews, or coconut. May 12, 2023.
What does a korma sauce taste like?
It often carries a nutty undertone from blended almonds, cashews, coconut, or poppy seeds. This sauce tastes good with just about anything—vegetables, paneer, or even just roti to sponge it up (you know, for when you’re in a restaurant and actual plate licking is frowned upon).
Is chicken korma sweet or spicy?
Chicken Korma, unlike most curries by reputation, is quite mild and slightly sweet tasting. It’s a dish ideal for those who are not too familiar with Indian food. It is also ridiculously tasty!.