Chicken korma is a popular curry dish that originated in Northern India. With its rich, creamy sauce and mild flavors it has become a favorite Indian food across the world. But for those unfamiliar with Indian cuisine the taste and texture of chicken korma can seem mysterious. Here’s an in-depth look at what exactly 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 dominant flavors in chicken korma come from the ground cashews or almonds blended into the sauce. This gives the curry a rich, creamy taste and nutty undertones. The nuts thicken the sauce while adding body and texture. The sauce often contains yogurt or cream, which contributes even more luxurious creaminess.
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
In addition to its unique taste, chicken korma is equally prized for its decadent, velvety texture. The ground cashews or almonds impart a rich thickness while the dairy ingredients like yogurt and cream contribute luscious creaminess.
The sauce is usually pureed to achieve a super smooth, silky consistency that coats the mouthfeel. Slow-cooked chicken pieces become fall-apart tender after being gently braised in the sauce. The korma sauce clings nicely to the chicken, blanketing it in opulent nutty creaminess with each 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: cooked low and slow, the onions add sweetness to the sauce and dissolve right in.
- Several cloves garlic and fresh ginger (or swap in ginger garlic paste).
- Chillies: green chillies are traditional, but you can use red thai bird chillies if that’s what you can find.
- Korma spices: this includes a handful of ground and whole spices – garam masala, ground coriander, cinnamon, red chili powder (like Kashmiri chili powder or cayenne), ground cinnamon, and whole green or black cardamom pods. You could also add a teaspoon of ground cumin, a bit of black pepper, and/or a few whole cloves.
- Tomato: I like to use canned tomato puree but feel free to use 1 whole fresh juicy tomato if they’re in season
- Chicken: I prefer boneless chicken for this recipe since it is already rich and doesn’t need the added richness of chicken with bones. If you’ve only got bone-in chicken on hand, though, feel free to use it!
- Nuts: to make things easy (and extra creamy), I use almond butter. You could substitute whole cashew nuts and finely chop them.
- Yogurt: plain yogurt, any kind is fine, Greek, regular or coconut yogurt.
- Cream: this calls for whipping cream (or 35% fat), but you can use canned or homemade coconut milk instead if you like. 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. Using a few fresh aromatics and basic pantry spices, you’ll get way more flavor without buying an extra jar.
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: You’ll need a heavy-bottomed pot or dutch oven to cook the onions and spices to ensure even heat distribution and prevent burning.
- Immersion Blender: An immersion blender is optional to blend the sauce for a smooth, creamy texture.
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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!