A luxurious and creamy Mughlai chicken curry made with a rich paste of nuts, yogurt, and aromatic spices. This mildly spiced dish has a velvety texture and a subtle sweetness, making it a royal treat for any special occasion.
Prep25 min
Cook45 min
Soak20 min
Servings4
Serving size: 1 serving
509cal
29gprotein
15gcarbs
Ingredients
500 g Chicken (Boneless, cut into 1.5-inch pieces. Thigh meat is recommended for tenderness.)
2 pcs Onion (Large, thinly sliced (approx. 400g))
1 cup Vegetable Oil (For frying onions)
1 cup Curd (Full-fat, whisked until smooth at room temperature)
A soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet leavened bread from Mughlai cuisine. Flavored with saffron and cardamom, this rich flatbread is perfect for scooping up decadent curries like korma or nihari.
A refreshing yogurt dip made with fresh mint, cilantro, and mild spices. This cooling Pudina Raita is the perfect accompaniment to spicy Indian meals like biryani, pulao, or kebabs, and comes together in just 10 minutes.
Creamy Chicken Korma with soft Taftan and tangy Mint Raita – a protein-packed, aromatic delight!
This mughlai dish is perfect for lunch. With 1010.69 calories and 42.849999999999994g of protein per serving, it's a nutritious choice for your meal plan.
38gfat
1.5 tsp Coriander Powder
1 tsp Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder (For color, not heat)
0.25 tsp Turmeric Powder
0.75 tsp Garam Masala
1.25 tsp Salt (Adjust to taste)
1 pcs Bay Leaf
4 pcs Green Cardamom (Slightly crushed)
4 pcs Cloves
1 inch Cinnamon Stick
1 tsp Kewra Water (Or use rose water)
1 cup Water (Hot)
1 tbsp Sliced Almonds (For garnish)
Instructions
1
Marinate the Chicken & Prepare Nut Paste
In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with whisked yogurt, ginger paste, garlic paste, coriander powder, Kashmiri red chilli powder, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix thoroughly to coat the chicken. Cover and let it marinate for at least 20 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
While the chicken marinates, soak the cashews and almonds in hot water for 15 minutes. Drain the water and grind the nuts into a very smooth paste, adding 2-3 tablespoons of fresh water as needed.
2
Prepare the Fried Onions (Birista)
Heat the vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai over medium-high heat.
Add the thinly sliced onions and fry, stirring frequently, for about 12-15 minutes. The onions will first soften, then turn light brown, and finally become a deep, even golden brown. Be vigilant to prevent burning.
Once crispy and golden, immediately remove the onions with a slotted spoon and spread them on a paper towel to drain excess oil and cool. Once cooled, crush them into a coarse powder with your hands or a rolling pin.
3
Cook the Chicken
Discard the excess oil from the pan, leaving about 3 tablespoons, or use fresh ghee. Heat the ghee over medium heat.
Add the whole spices: bay leaf, green cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon stick. Sauté for 30-45 seconds until they become fragrant.
Add the marinated chicken along with all the marinade to the pan. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly browned and the moisture from the yogurt has mostly evaporated.
4
Build the Korma Gravy
Reduce the heat to low. Add the crushed fried onions (birista) and the prepared nut paste to the chicken. Stir well to combine.
Cook this mixture for 4-5 minutes, stirring continuously to prevent it from sticking, until the raw smell of the paste disappears and you see oil separating from the masala (this is the 'bhunao' stage).
Pour in 1 cup of hot water and stir well to form a smooth gravy. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
5
Simmer, Finish, and Serve
Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and let the korma simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is completely tender and the gravy has thickened to your desired consistency.
Turn off the heat. Stir in the garam masala and kewra water for the final touch of aroma.
Let the korma rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with sliced almonds and serve hot with naan, sheermal, or basmati rice.
4
Serving size: 1 serving
420cal
9gprotein
58gcarbs
17gfat
Ingredients
2 cup Maida (All-purpose flour)
1 tsp Active Dry Yeast
2 tbsp Sugar (Divided)
0.75 tsp Salt
0.75 cup Warm Milk (Around 110°F / 43°C)
3 tbsp Curd (Plain yogurt, at room temperature)
4 tbsp Ghee (Melted and divided)
0.5 tsp Green Cardamom Powder
1 pinch Saffron Strands (A generous pinch, about 12-15 strands)
1 tbsp Poppy Seeds (For topping)
Instructions
1
Activate Yeast & Prepare Saffron Milk
In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup of warm milk, 1 tbsp of sugar, and the active dry yeast. Stir gently and let it stand for 5-7 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy and bubbly. This indicates the yeast is active.
In another small bowl, add the saffron strands to 2 tbsp of warm milk. Let it soak to release its color and aroma. Set aside.
2
Prepare the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the maida (all-purpose flour), the remaining 1 tbsp of sugar, salt, and green cardamom powder.
Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the frothy yeast mixture, room temperature curd, and 2 tbsp of melted ghee.
Using a spatula or your hands, mix until a shaggy dough forms.
3
Knead and First Proof
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8-10 minutes until it is smooth, soft, and elastic. The dough should spring back when gently pressed.
Form the dough into a ball and place it in a bowl lightly greased with ghee or oil.
Cover the bowl with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 60-90 minutes, or until it has doubled in volume.
Once risen, gently punch down the dough to release the trapped air. Divide it into 4 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball.
On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball into a 6-7 inch oval or round shape, about 1/4-inch thick.
Place the shaped taftans on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Using your fingertips, press dimples all over the surface to prevent them from puffing up completely during baking.
Cover loosely with a cloth and let them rest for another 15 minutes.
5
Prepare for Baking
While the taftans are resting, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Gently brush the tops of the shaped dough with the saffron-infused milk you prepared earlier.
Sprinkle generously with poppy seeds.
6
Bake the Taftan
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven on the middle rack.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the taftans are puffed, golden brown on top, and cooked through.
Remove from the oven immediately.
7
Finish and Serve
As soon as the taftans come out of the oven, brush them generously with the remaining 2 tbsp of melted ghee.
Serve warm with rich, gravy-based dishes like Nihari, Qorma, or Paneer Makhani.
Chill and Serve
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the mint raita for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial as it allows the flavors to meld and deepen.
Give it a final stir before serving. Serve chilled as a cooling side dish with biryani, pulao, kebabs, or parathas.
