If you’re longing for a show-stopping curry that’s rich, creamy, and bursting with flavor, this Delicious Chicken Korma Recipe is your ticket to a soul-satisfying meal. Tender marinated chicken, a luscious coconut almond sauce, and warm spices turn every bite into a celebration you’ll want to share with everyone at your table!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbelievable Creaminess: The blend of coconut cream and ground almonds creates a sauce that’s silky smooth and utterly decadent.
- Depth of Flavor: Marinating the chicken infuses every bite with fragrant spices and a subtle tang, elevating the taste from simple to unforgettable.
- Customize to Your Cravings: This Delicious Chicken Korma Recipe adapts beautifully—make it mildly sweet, extra nutty, or add veggies as you like!
- Impressive Yet Simple: Despite its gourmet feel, step-by-step instructions make it totally doable for home cooks of all levels.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Delicious Chicken Korma Recipe is that it delivers restaurant-quality flavor from ingredients that are easy to find, yet each one contributes something special—whether it’s the creaminess of coconut, golden warmth from spices, or the aroma of ginger and garlic. Here’s what you’ll need and why:
- Full-Fat Plain Yoghurt: Adds tang and helps tenderize the chicken, locking in moisture during marination.
- Lemon Juice: Lends a bright acidity that balances the creamy sauce and makes the flavors pop.
- Fresh Ginger & Garlic: Freshly grated is best, providing fragrant depth and a gentle heat that anchors the Korma’s base.
- Salt, Turmeric, Ground Coriander, Garam Masala: These pantry spices infuse the marinade with warmth and a subtle earthiness—essential to classic Korma flavor.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: Thighs stay juicy and tender, perfect for soaking up all that creamy sauce (but see notes for swaps!).
- Vegetable Oil: Ensures the chicken and onions get nicely golden without competing with the spices’ flavor.
- Large White Onion: Cooked low and slow, onion forms the sweet, savory backbone of the sauce.
- Additional Ginger & Garlic: Layer in even more flavor when starting the sauce—no shortcuts here!
- Cinnamon, Cardamom, Cloves: These warm spices echo the essence of traditional korma, adding subtle sweetness and complexity.
- Chicken Stock: Enhances richness and helps bind all the flavors into a comforting, silky sauce.
- Full-Fat Coconut Cream: The secret to that dreamy, luxurious texture! Use full-fat for the best results (see notes for dairy swaps).
- Ground Almonds: Adds body to the sauce and a subtle nutty note—finely ground work best for a smooth finish.
- Granulated Sugar & Salt: Just a touch rounds out the flavor and balances the spices perfectly.
- A Little More Yoghurt (at the end): Stirred in off-heat, this ensures your sauce is extra velvety and never splits.
Variations
One of the best things about the Delicious Chicken Korma Recipe is how easily it welcomes your personal touch! Tweak the spices, sub in your favorite veggies, or make it dairy-free—this is a recipe that loves to adapt to you, not the other way around.
- Nut-Free Korma: Swap the ground almonds for ground sunflower seeds or simply leave them out if allergies are a concern—your sauce will still be wonderfully creamy, especially with coconut cream.
- Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut yoghurt for both the marinade and finishing touch, giving you rich texture with a hint of extra coconut flavor.
- Add Veggies: Stir in baby spinach, peas, or steamed cauliflower during the last 10 minutes of simmering for added color and nutrition.
- Milder or Spicier: This Delicious Chicken Korma Recipe is naturally mild and kid-friendly, but you can dial up the warmth by adding a pinch of chili powder or keep it gentle for all palates.
How to Make Delicious Chicken Korma Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, whisk together the yoghurt, lemon juice, grated ginger, garlic, salt, turmeric, coriander, and garam masala. Add the diced chicken thighs and use your hands or a spatula to ensure every piece is coated in marinade. For maximum flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture, cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 3 hours—overnight is even better!
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Remove the chicken from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking so it warms up slightly. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in two batches, add the marinated chicken pieces, spacing them out—this helps them brown, not steam. Fry each side for about three minutes, letting them get a gorgeous golden char. Set aside, and remember, all those flavorful juices are gold—save them!
Step 3: Build That Korma Sauce
Turn the heat down to medium and add a splash more oil if the pan’s looking dry. Gently fry your diced onions until soft and golden—it will take a few minutes but is worth it for that beautifully sweet flavor foundation. Stir in the garlic, ginger, and all the ground spices (coriander, turmeric, garam masala, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves) and let them bloom until aromatic, about a minute.
Step 4: Add Coconut Cream and Simmer
Now, pour in the chicken stock and coconut cream—don’t worry if the coconut cream looks like it’s splitting at first! Stir it gently, and as it heats up, it will become velvety and emulsified. Sprinkle in the ground almonds and scrape in every bit of that leftover marinade from the chicken bowl. Let everything simmer together for 6–8 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 5: Blend for Smoothness
Carefully (safety first—let the sauce cool a minute) transfer the sauce to a blender and pulse until completely smooth. This is the secret to that signature korma silkiness! Pour it back into the pan, then stir in sugar, salt, and return all of the cooked chicken and accumulated juices.
Step 6: Final Simmer and Finishing Touch
Gently simmer the chicken in the sauce for 18–20 minutes, until the flavors are dreamy and the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Turn off the heat and, once the bubbles settle, swirl in a tablespoon of room-temperature yoghurt. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking, then get ready to tuck in to the most luxurious Delicious Chicken Korma Recipe!
Pro Tips for Making Delicious Chicken Korma Recipe
- Rest for Richness: The longer you marinate (up to 24 hours), the more complex and tender your chicken will be—plan ahead for extra depth!
- Searing for Flavor: Don’t rush the chicken browning step; those golden edges create irresistible layers of taste in the finished korma.
- Sauce-Perfect Blending: Always let the sauce cool slightly before blending to avoid splatters and ensure the creamiest texture.
- Finish Off-Heat: Add the final spoonful of yoghurt after turning off the flame—this keeps the sauce silken and prevents any splitting.
How to Serve Delicious Chicken Korma Recipe
Garnishes
A beautiful finishing touch goes a long way! Shower your platter of Delicious Chicken Korma with a handful of toasted slivered almonds, a sprinkling of fresh chopped cilantro, and a few ribbons of red chili if you like a gentle heat—they add crunch, color, and extra freshness to every delicious bite.
Side Dishes
This creamy curry practically begs to be mopped up with fluffy basmati rice or warm, pillowy naan bread. For a complete feast, add simple cucumber raita, griddled flatbreads, or tangy mango chutney—the gentle flavor of korma plays well with all these sides.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the Delicious Chicken Korma Recipe family-style in a big, shallow dish for sharing, or portion it into individual bowls with a swirl of coconut cream and herb garnishes for an elegant dinner party look. For something fun, try spooning the korma into mini naan “boats” for curry night appetizers!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Delicious Chicken Korma (if you’re lucky enough to have any!) keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors meld and deepen overnight, making each reheat even tastier.
Freezing
This recipe freezes like a dream. Transfer cooled korma into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little space at the top, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.
Reheating
To reheat, place the korma in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently until piping hot. Add a splash of water or coconut milk if the sauce needs loosening, and always stir in yoghurt at the end (never boil, or it might split!).
FAQs
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Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs in this Delicious Chicken Korma Recipe?
Absolutely! While chicken thighs are juicier and less likely to dry out, chicken breast works well—just be careful not to overcook during the searing step, as breast meat can become dry more quickly. Marinating helps keep it tender.
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Is Delicious Chicken Korma Recipe spicy?
This version is mild and aromatic, making it perfect for all ages. If you prefer more kick, sprinkle in a little ground chili or serve with extra chopped green chilies on the side.
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Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, making the Delicious Chicken Korma Recipe a day ahead allows the flavors to develop even further. Simply reheat gently and finish with yoghurt before serving for the best texture.
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How can I make the sauce ultra-smooth?
Blending the sauce is the magic step—let it cool a minute, then pulse until creamy and luscious. For an extra-smooth finish, strain the blended sauce before adding the chicken back in, but honestly, most home blenders do a great job!
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Delicious Chicken Korma Recipe—it’s comforting, luxurious, and sure to make anyone at your table feel cherished. If you’re ready to wow friends and family with a dish that’s both spectacular and soothing, give this recipe a try. You’ll fall in love at first bite!
PrintDelicious Chicken Korma Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Blender
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich and aromatic flavors of this Delicious Chicken Korma Recipe. Tender chicken in a creamy, spiced coconut sauce, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Marinade
- 160g / 2/3 cup full fat Plain Yoghurt
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tbsp finely grated/minced Fresh Ginger
- 2 cloves of Garlic, finely grated/minced
- 1 tsp EACH: Salt, Turmeric, Ground Coriander, Garam Masala
- 640g / 1.4lb boneless skinless Chicken Thighs, diced into large bite-sized pieces
Sauce
- 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil, or as needed
- 1 large White Onion, finely diced
- 1 tbsp finely grated/minced Fresh Ginger
- 2 cloves of Garlic, finely grated/minced
- 1 tsp Ground Coriander
- 1/2 tsp EACH: Turmeric, Garam Masala
- 1/4 tsp EACH: Ground Cardamom, Ground Cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp Ground Cloves
- 240ml / 1 cup Chicken Stock
- 500g / 18oz full fat Coconut Cream
- 3 tbsp Ground Almonds
- 2 tbsp Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp full fat Plain Yoghurt, at room temp
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, combine all marinade ingredients except chicken. Add chicken, coat well, cover, and refrigerate for 3-24 hours.
- Cook the Chicken: Sear marinated chicken in oil until cooked through. Set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: Sauté onion, garlic, and spices. Add stock, coconut cream, almonds, and reserved marinade. Simmer, then blend until smooth.
- Combine and Simmer: Return sauce to pan, add salt, sugar, and cooked chicken. Simmer until thickened. Stir in yoghurt and adjust seasoning.
- Serve: Enjoy the Chicken Korma hot with rice or naan.
Notes
- For best results, marinate the chicken for at least 3 hours.
- Adjust the spice levels to suit your preference.
- Use full-fat ingredients for a richer flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 510 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 41g
- Saturated Fat: 27g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 140mg