2 lbs Boneless/Skinless Chicken* (Murgh) - cut into bite sized pieces
Marinade:
¼ Cup Plain Full Fat Yogurt (Dahi)
2 cloves Fresh Garlic (Leh-sun) - grated into a paste
½ inch piece Fresh Ginger (Adrak) - grated into a paste
2 tsp Kashmiri Chile Powder (Kashmiri Mirch)
1 tsp Kosher Salt (Namak)
½ tsp Fresh Ground Black Pepper (Kali Mirch)
½ tsp Cumin Powder (Jeera Podi)
½ tsp Coriander Powder (Dhania Podi)
¼ tsp Turmeric Powder (Haldi)
Korma:
10-12 Whole Roasted/Unsalted Cashew Nuts (Kaju)
2 Tbs Cooking Oil (Tel) - can use canola, vegetable, grape seed, avocado, or mustard oil
¼ Cup Ghee
2 Medium Red Onions (Pyaz) - puréed into a paste
3 cloves Fresh Garlic (Leh-sun) - grated into paste
1 inch piece Fresh Ginger (Adrak) - grated into paste
1 tsp Cumin Powder (Jeera Podi)
1 Tbs Coriander Powder (Dhania Podi)
½ tsp Mace Powder (Javitri Podi)
6 Green Cardamom Pods (Choti Elaichi)
3 inch Cinnamon Stick (Jungli Dalchini)
2 Bay Leaves (Tej Patta)
2 tsp Turmeric Powder (Haldi)
1 Fresh Red Chile (Lal Mirch) - seeded and minced
½ Cup Heavy Cream (Malai)
¾ Cup Plain Full Fat Yogurt (Dahi)
1 tsp Garam Masala
Kosher Salt (Namak) to taste
Preparation:
In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the marinade ingredients until smooth - Fold in the chicken until thoroughly coated - Cover and allow to marinate for a minimum 1 hour (overnight for better results)
-
When ready to cook, submerge the cashew nuts in water and set aside until needed
-
Heat the cooking oil in a medium/large skillet, wok, or kadahi over medium-high heat until shimmering - Once the oil is hot, shake off excess marinade and add to the oil (DO NOT DISCARD REMAINING MARINADE) - Stir fry your chicken pieces for 3-5 minutes until nicely seared on all sides and mostly cooked through - Remove from heat and set aside until needed
-
Heat ghee in a separate, large, heavy bottomed pan, wok, or kadahi over medium-high heat until shimmering
-
Once the ghee is hot, add the puréed onion and sauté until most of the water has evaporated and the onion paste is lightly browned (apx 7-10 minutes) - Add the garlic and ginger and continue to sauté for 2 minutes
-
Add the cumin, coriander, mace, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, turmeric, and fresh red chile - Continue to sauté for 1 minute
-
Remove from the heat and set aside until needed
-
Drain the cashew nuts and transfer to the work bowl of a small food processor, blender, clean coffee grinder, or a mortar and pestle and purée/pound into a smooth paste
-
Add the cashew paste to the korma and thoroughly combine - Stir in the heavy cream until fully incorporated - Stir in the yogurt until fully incorporated - Stir in the remaining marinade until fully incorporated - Add the prepared chicken (from Step 3) and thoroughly combine
-
Return to low heat, cover, and bring to a simmer - Add the garam masala and thoroughly combine - Adjust seasoning with salt to taste - Continue to simmer (stirring occasionally) for 7-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through (add a bit of water if necessary to keep from scorching and sticking)
-
Remove from heat, transfer to serving dish(es), garnish with some chopped fresh coriander and chopped cashews if desired - Serve hot
*
You can use either White or Dark Meat and can substitute 3 pounds bone in chicken if desired
(though you will have to extend the cooking time in step 10) for a truly authentic version of the dish