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    Home > Blog > Chicken & Poultry > Chicken Korma

    Chicken Korma

    by Jenny Park · Published: Feb 25, 2024

    Jump to Recipe
    A very easy recipe for Chicken Korma that doesn't skimp on flavor! Our recipe takes after the more classic British version of the dish and results in a very rich, creamy, and flavor forward sauce with large chunks of tender chicken thighs!
    Chicken korma recipe with rice on the side.

    If cooking Indian food has ever intimidated you, we highly recommend starting with this Chicken Korma recipe! I LOVE Indian food and my household orders Indian takeout several times a month. Although I love it so much, I too find it intimidating with all the different spices and cooking techniques!

    Our Chicken Korma recipe today is more of a British take vs the classic Indian (subcontinent) version – using cashews to achieve the rich and creamy sauce and omitting the yogurt and cream. This recipe is truly simple, packed with tons of delicious flavor and I really think this dish is even better the next day as the spices really get a chance to merry together!

    How to Make Chicken Korma

    Ingredients

    Ingredients to make Chicken Korma.

    Process

    1. Place chicken thigh pieces in a mixing bowl, add 1 ½ teaspoons cumin, ½ teaspoon coriander, a sprinkle of salt, and some cracked black pepper and toss together until chicken is well coated.
    2. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 ½ tablespoons butter. Add chicken and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes.
    Chicken thighs in a bowl with seasoning for chicken korma.
    Chicken thighs cooked in a skillet.
    1. Using a slotted spoon, transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
    2. Add remaining butter to skillet. Add shallot and garlic and sauté 3 to 4 minutes.
    Chicken thighs cooked and resting on a plate.
    Garlic and onions cooked in a skillet.
    1. Add cashews and remaining spices and continue to sauté for an additional 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
    2. Transfer mixture into a blender with 1 3/4 cups water and blend until smooth.
    Cashews with onions and garlic cooking in a skillet.
    Chicken korma sauce in a blender freshly blended.
    1. Pour mixture back into skillet, stir in tomato paste and simmer over medium-low heat for 4 to 5 minutes. Pour chicken into skillet with korma sauce and stir together. Simmer for 4 to 5 minutes until chicken has cooked through (if sauce begins to get too thick, add 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time until desired consistency is achieved).
    Chicken korma cooking in a skillet.

    Variations

    • Toast your own whole cumin seeds and whole coriander, until fragrant. Then grind them in a spice blender or in a mortar and pestle . This will give you an even more aromatic and intense flavor!
    • Swap the chicken out with chickpeas or cubed tofu or some cubed sirloin to switch up the protein.
    • Omit the cilantro leaves garnish or swap it out for thinly sliced green onion/chives.
    Chicken korma on a plate with rice and a fork.

    Tips and Tricks for the BEST Chicken Korma

    • Eat it the next day for an optimal experience. Seriously. The thing that truly results in the best version of this recipe is reheating it the next day!
    • If your sauce is too thick add a couple tablespoons of water to thin it out to the desired consistency.
    • If your sauce is too thin, simmer it for a few extra minutes to thicken (it should be mentioned that the dish will thicken naturally as it sits).

    More Delicious Indian Inspired Recipes You Will Love

    • Butter chicken, or murgh makhani recipe on two plates with rice.
      Butter Chicken Recipe (Murgh Makhani)
    • Several bowls of masoor dal. with spoons.
      Masoor Dal (stewed red lentils)
    • Indian butter cauliflower over white rice in a bowl with pita bread.
      Indian Butter Cauliflower (Cauliflower Makhani)
    • A pan of vegetable loaded vegan korma with a wooden spoon.
      Vegetable Loaded Vegan Korma
    Chicken Korma recipe with rice and some cilantro.

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    Chicken korma in a bowl with cilantro on top.

    Chicken Korma

    5 from 6 votes
    PRINT RECIPE Pin Recipe
    A very easy recipe for Chicken Korma that doesn't skimp on flavor! Our recipe takes after the more classic British version of the dish and results in a very rich, creamy, and flavor forward sauce with large chunks of tender chicken thighs!
    RECIPE BY Teri & Jenny
    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 25 minutes mins
    Total Time: 35 minutes mins
    Servings: 4

      INGREDIENTS  

    • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
    • 3 1/2 teaspoons cumin, divided
    • 1 teaspoon coriander
    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
    • 1 shallot, minced
    • 2 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 cup raw cashews
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric
    • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
    • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 2 1/2 tablespoons tomato paste

    garnish

    • fresh cilantro leaves

      INSTRUCTIONS  

    • Place chicken thigh pieces in a mixing bowl, add 1 ½ teaspoons cumin, ½ teaspoon coriander, a sprinkle of salt, and some cracked black pepper and toss together until chicken is well coated.
    • Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 ½ tablespoons butter.
    • Add chicken and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes.
    • Using a slotted spoon, transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
    • Add remaining butter to skillet. Add shallot and garlic and sauté 3 to 4 minutes. Add cashews and remaining spices and continue to sauté for an additional 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
    • Transfer mixture into a blender with 1 3/4 cups water and blend until smooth.
    • Pour mixture back into skillet, stir in tomato paste and simmer over medium-low heat for 4 to 5 minutes.
    • Pour chicken into skillet with korma sauce and stir together. Simmer for 4 to 5 minutes until chicken has cooked through (if sauce begins to get too thick, add 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time until desired consistency is achieved).
    • Pour chicken korma over a bed of steamed rice and top with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve.
    Calories: 413kcal Carbohydrates: 15g Protein: 29g Fat: 28g Saturated Fat: 9g Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g Monounsaturated Fat: 12g Trans Fat: 0.4g Cholesterol: 130mg Sodium: 189mg Potassium: 670mg Fiber: 2g Sugar: 4g Vitamin A: 467IU Vitamin C: 4mg Calcium: 54mg Iron: 5mg
    CUISINE: British-Indian, Indian
    KEYWORD: easy indian recipe, Recipe with cashews
    COURSE: dinner, main dish

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    February 25, 2024 / 3 Comments

    About Jenny Park

    Jenny Park is half of Spoon Fork Bacon. She is also a food stylist and recipe developer. One of her favorite foods is donuts. #sfbJENNY

    Previous Post: < Previous Post Sweet Chili Sauce
    Next Post: Garlic Butter Lamb Chops Next Post >

    Reader Interactions

    February 25, 2024 / 3 Comments

    Comments

      5 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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    1. Emily

      September 24, 2019 at 5:33 am

      I need to make this! Should the chicken be cubed before adding it to the pan?

      Reply
    2. Lydia

      September 11, 2019 at 11:20 am

      Would there be a good replacement for the cashews? Or would it be ok to not include them in the dish?

      Reply
    3. Stephanie

      September 11, 2019 at 7:52 am

      I love chicken korma! It is comfort food at its best because it is a little bit spicy but the nuts make it creamy and rich. My favourite.

      Reply

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    Chicken korma recipe with rice on the side.
    Chicken korma on a plate with rice and a fork.
    Chicken korma on a plate with rice and a fork.
    Chicken korma in a bowl with cilantro on top.

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