Chicken Qorma Recipe: A Delicious Mughlai Delicacy

Chicken Qorma, popularly known by the name of Chicken Korma, is one among the most favorite Mughlai items on its menu; one is drawn to this dish because of its luscious, aromatic flavor with creamy texture. This is one of the extremely ancient dishes which go way back to the Mughal Empire where one can say that the indulgent chefs evolved an art of cooking with such subtle spices, herbs, and creams. ‘Qorma’ is Persian for ‘Korma, meaning to braise or cook something slowly over a fire. Usually chicken or mutton in yogurt, cream, and spice mix, and this gives divine flavor. Chicken Qorma is enjoyed throughout South Asia, especially in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, and that comes along with naan, paratha, or basmati rice.

Here in this article, we go through the recipe of Chicken Qorma along with its ingredients, how to cook, and some points to keep in your mind when preparing your wonderfully deliciously tasteful dish in your kitchen.

Chicken Qorma Ingredients

There are some essentials, spices, and garnishing of Chicken Qorma, which we shall list for a proper traditional recipe of Chicken Qorma to make, in case you fancy an aromatic Chicken Qorma.

Ingredients:

1. Chicken (Bone-In or Boneless) – 1 kg
We can use boneless chicken as well, but bone-in will add a great deal of flavors and richness to the dish.
2. Onions – 2 large, thinly sliced
These are the main components of the gravy, which give the gravy a texture and a flavor as well.

3. Curd – 1 cup (Beaten)
Curd is added for its creamy flavor, though the curd flavor has a bit of sourness, which keeps the dish balancing and not at all fattening in a heavy way.

4. Cream – ½ cup
This makes Qorma a richly soft silky finish

5. Ginger-Garlic Paste – 2 tbsp
Ginger-garlic paste is widely used in Indian and Pakistani curries. It adds a great richness to the food.

6. Tomatoes – 2 medium (chopped)
Tomatoes make it sour with balance in gravy.
7. Coriander Leaves Chopped – for garnish
Coriander freshness with colors when final dish.
For Chicken Qorma: Spices

1. Dhania Dana -1 tsp 
2. Dhania Powder – 1 ½ tsp 
3. Garam Masala-1 tsp
Garam masala contains cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, cumin and coriander so all these mixed up gives it a deep flavor which is also warm.
4. **Haldi Powder** – ½ tsp
This gives a golden color to the Qorma with earthy undertone.

5. **Lal Mirch Powder** – 1 tsp (as per taste)
You can add as much as you can, if you like more spiciness.

6. **Green Cardamom Pods** – 4
These give a good fragrance and a slight sweetness to the curry.

7. **Cloves** – 4
The cloves add a nice warmth, aromatic depth to the curry.

8. **Cinnamon Stick** – 1-inch piece
A small piece of cinnamon stick provides a hint of sweetness and warmth to the curry.

9. Bay Leaves – 2
Bay leaves give an subtle earthy taste.

10. Salt – to taste

11. Water or Chicken Stock – 2 cups (to braise in).

 How to Prepare

Preparation step to make tasty Chicken Qorma that everybody would love

Step 1: Fry Onions

Add about 4 tablespoons of ghee or vegetable oil in a big, deep, heavy bottomed pot over the medium flame.
2. Add the sliced onions and fry them until they turn golden brown. This would take about 10-12 minutes. Stir them continuously so that they don’t burn.
3. Once caramelizing the onions, take half of it aside, leaving it in the pot as a garnish.

Step 2: Cooking the Chicken
1. Add the ginger-garlic paste to the remaining onions in the pot and sauté for 1 minute till fragrant.
2. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and sauté them for 5-7 minutes, till the chicken is golden brown on all sides.
3. Add the chopped tomatoes, and sauté for 5 minutes, till they soften and break.
4. Now add turmeric powder, coriander powder, chili powder, and salt. Mix well the spices with the chicken.
5. Put some water or chicken stock in a pot that is half a cup, let it simmer on a medium flame for about 10 minutes so that the flavors can soak well in the chicken.

Step 3: Yogurt and Cream
1. Now heat on low and add whisked yogurt. Mix it gently with chicken and spices in the pot.
2. Now, keep on low flame for another 10-15 minutes, till the yogurt mixes up and thickens the gravy a bit.
3. Once it has mixed in, add the cream and mix it well until the gravy gets creamy and thick.

Step 4: Adding the Whole Spices
1. Add the cinnamon stick, cloves, cardamom pods, and bay leaves. All the whole spices put in the gravy will add the characteristic flavor to the gravy.
2. Now cover the pot with the lid and let the chicken continue to cook over low heat for another 20 minutes. The chicken has been well-cooked and the gravy must be thick and rich enough.

Step 5: Finishing Touches
1. Taste the gravy and check if it is smooth. If it’s too thick, add a bit of water or stock and continue cooking for a few minutes more.
2. At last, when the chicken is almost done and is tenderly softened, sprinkle a pinch of garam masala over the dish and fold it gently.

Step 6: Garnishing and Serving
1. Garnish Chicken Qorma with fried onions we kept ready.
2. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves for brilliant color and freshness.

Serve:
Serve mostly with naan, paratha, or basmati rice. Raita or a side salad with it helps with the richness of the dish. For an exclusive meal, one can serve this with vegetable pilaf or saffron rice.

Tips for the Perfect Chicken Qorma:

1. Slow Cooking: This is one way to achieve an aromatic Chicken Qorma- slow cooking. The slow and low heat cook the chicken allowing it to infuse all those spices into itself, and, therefore, develop a richer taste.
2. Fresh Ingredients: Fresh yogurt, garlic, ginger, and spices are those ingredients that a true taste of the recipe should have in it. One should totally avoid pre-ground spice powder as a fresh taste is better obtained by grounding whole spices.

3. Creaminess Balance: If you feel that your dish is too creamy, then decrease the quantity of cream. Or add lemon juice to it, if you like the taste of acid to balance the richness.

4. Taste According to Spice:** If you like your Qorma spicier then add more chili powder. And if you don’t like much spice then adjust accordingly.

5. Add Some Nuts to It: Though in some recipes ground almonds or cashews are added to Chicken Qorma as it makes gravy thicker and it has nutty flavor, so you can give it a shot if you have the craving to enjoy this rather richer version.
Chicken Qorma

Chicken Qorma is one of the tasty recipes that Mughlai food represents richly and in sauce flavored with a creamy aroma, with fragrance. Tender chicken, smooth gravy, and spicy aroma remind you that no wonder this is in everybody’s heart whether it is for special occasions at home or not. This recipe lets you make an amazing dish with the taste to impress everyone’s buds. Be it preparing for family dinner or festival celebrations, this Chicken Qorma is sure to win your heart.

For more recipes visit Pak Recepies

For other than Pakistani recipes visit this site