When it comes to Indian cuisine, two dishes that are often compared are chicken korma and butter chicken. Both dishes have a creamy, rich sauce and tender pieces of chicken, but they differ in their flavor profiles and cooking methods. In this article, we’ll compare and contrast these two dishes and provide you with two delicious recipes to try at home.
Contents
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Chicken Korma
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup unsalted cashews, ground
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
- Salt, to taste
- Cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together the yogurt, heavy cream, ground cashews, garam masala, turmeric, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, ground cardamom, and salt.
- In a large pan, melt the ghee over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until translucent. Add the garlic and ginger and sauté for another minute.
- Add the chicken to the pan and cook until browned on all sides.
- Pour the yogurt mixture over the chicken and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with rice or naan.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 481
- Protein: 29g
- Fat: 37g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 224mg
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Equipment:
- Large bowl
- Large pan
- Blender or food processor (for grinding cashews)
Serving Suggestions:
- Rice
- Naan
- Roasted vegetables
Variations:
- Use bone-in chicken for more flavor
- Replace the chicken with lamb or beef
- Add vegetables like potatoes, carrots, or peas
Substitutions:
- Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free option
- Replace the cashews with almonds or pistachios
- Substitute ghee with vegetable oil or butter
Storage:
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Tips:
- Marinate the chicken in the yogurt mixture for a few hours or overnight for more flavor
- Toast the ground cashews in a dry pan before adding to the yogurt mixture for a nuttier flavor
- Adjust the spices to your liking
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is garam masala? Garam masala is a blend of ground spices commonly used in Indian cuisine. It typically includes cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, coriander, and cloves.
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts? Yes, you can use chicken thighs if you prefer. Keep in mind that the cooking time may be slightly longer.
- Is korma spicy? Korma is typically not very spicy, but you can adjust the heat level by adding more or less chili powder or cayenne pepper.
Butter Chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp ginger, grated
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt, to taste
- Cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix together the yogurt, heavy cream, tomato sauce, garam masala, turmeric, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, and salt.
- In a large pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until translucent. Add the garlic and ginger and sauté for another minute.
- Add the chicken to the pan and cook until browned on all sides.
- Pour the yogurt mixture over the chicken and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with rice or naan.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 532
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 40g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 405mg
Cooking Time: 45 minutes
Equipment:
- Large bowl
- Large pan
- Blender or food processor (for making tomato sauce)
Serving Suggestions:
- Rice
- Naan
- Roasted vegetables
Variations:
- Use bone-in chicken for more flavor
- Replace the chicken with lamb or beef
- Add vegetables like potatoes, carrots, or peas
Substitutions:
- Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream for a dairy-free option
- Replace the tomato sauce with pureed tomatoes or canned crushed tomatoes
- Substitute butter with ghee or vegetable oil
Storage:
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Tips:
- Marinate the chicken in the yogurt mixture for a few hours or overnight for more flavor
- Make your own tomato sauce by blending together canned tomatoes, garlic, onion, and spices
- Adjust the spices to your liking
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Is butter chicken spicy? Butter chicken is typically not very spicy, but you can adjust the heat level by adding more or less cayenne pepper or chili powder.
- What is the difference between butter chicken and chicken tikka masala? Both dishes have a similar creamy tomato sauce, but butter chicken typically has a milder flavor and uses more butter or cream.
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts? Yes, you can use chicken thighs if you prefer. Keep in mind