Badami Murgh Korma (Indian Chicken Korma)

By Petrina Verma Sarkar

Updated 04/17/19

Indian chicken Korma
Image © Paul Williams - Funkystock/ Getty Images
  • Total: 95 mins
  • Prep: 60 mins
  • Cook: 35 mins
  • Yield: serves 4 to 6
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
481 Calories
28g Fat
12g Carbs
44g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: serves 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 481
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 28g 36%
Saturated Fat 9g 44%
Cholesterol 142mg 47%
Sodium 221mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Protein 44g
Calcium 145mg 11%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Kormas originate in North India and appeal to all taste palates, ranging from mild to medium-hot which makes them a family-friendly dish. They typically feature a gravy made of onions, green chilies (optional) and fragrant whole spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, coriander, and cumin.

In this Badami Murgh Korma, the almond meal adds extra depth, flavor, and richness. A deliciously filling meal, this tastes great with bread like Chapatis (flatbread), Parathas (pan-fried flatbread) or Naans (leavened flatbread made baked in a tandoor or oven).

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds skinless chicken thighs (cut into 2" pieces, bone-in or boneless)
  • 1 cup fresh unsweetened yogurt
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons vegetable/canola/sunflower oil
  • 3 large onions (finely chopped)
  • 2 teaspoons garlic paste
  • 2 teaspoons ginger paste
  • 2" cinnamon stick
  • 6 cloves
  • 10 peppercorns
  • 2 pieces of​ mace
  • 5 green​ cardamom pods (split)
  • 2 teaspoons coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg powder
  • 4 tablespoons finely ground​ almond meal
  • Salt to taste
  • Approximately 2 tablespoons fresh green coriander (finely chopped)

Steps to Make It

  1. Put the chicken, yogurt, salt to taste and turmeric powder into a deep mixing bowl. Stir to mix well and coat all the chicken completely. Keep aside to marinate for an hour.

  2. When the chicken has marinated, heat the vegetable/canola/sunflower cooking oil in a deep, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat. When hot, add the onions and fry till almost pale golden. Add the ginger and garlic pastes and fry for 1 minute. Stir often to prevent burning.

  3. Add all the whole spices (cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, mace and cardamom pods) and fry for 1 minute, or till spices are slightly darker in color.

  4. Now, add all the powdered spices (coriander, cumin, red chili and nutmeg) and fry till the oil begins to separate from the masala (spice mix). Stir often to prevent burning. If required, sprinkle in a little water from time to time to prevent the masala from burning.

  5. Next, add the marinated chicken/yogurt/turmeric powder mixture and the almond meal and stir well. The gravy for this dish should be thick. 

  6. Cover and cook until the chicken is tender. If you find the dish is getting dry or the chicken or masala is sticking to the bottom of the pan, add 1/2 cup of warm water and stir gently and thoroughly. Once the chicken is cooked, if there is too much gravy, reduce it by removing the lid and continuing to cook.

  7. When done, remove the pan from heat and put Korma into a serving dish.

  8. Garnish with chopped fresh coriander. Serve piping hot with bread like Chapatis, Parathas or Naans (leavened flatbread made baked in a tandoor or oven).

  9. Enjoy!