Vij’s Chicken Korma

“The sauce uses ground almonds, cream, turmeric and red chili powder for a beautiful depth of flavour.” — Vikram Vij
Ingredients
Serves 6
Marinade
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- Pinch salt
- 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Korma Sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 tbsp store-bought
- korma paste
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup ground almonds
Garnish
- Chopped cilantro
- Chopped walnuts
- Rice or naan, to serve
Directions
Prepare Chicken
- In bowl, combine yogurt, ginger-garlic paste and salt. Add chicken and mix to coat. Cover, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
- Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade, then place on grill. Grill for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, until fully cooked. Set aside to rest for 1 to 2 minutes, then cut into bite-size pieces.
Make Sauce
- In Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions and sauté for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden brown and caramelized. Add garlic and ginger, and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until fragrant.
- Stir in korma paste, cumin, coriander, turmeric and chili powder. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until fragrant.
- Stir in coconut milk and cream. Add ground almonds, then gently simmer for 10 minutes, allowing sauce to thicken.
Assemble and Serve
- Add chicken to pan, stirring to coat with sauce. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes to allow flavours to meld.
- Garnish with cilantro and walnuts. Serve hot with rice or naan.
Source
Recipes from My New Indian Kitchen by Vikram Vij with Jennifer Muttoo. Photography by Gabriel Cabrera. ©2025 by Vikram Vij. Excerpted with permission from Figure 1 Publishing. All rights reserved