Adam Liaw’s chicken korma

Name: Adam Liaw’s chicken korma
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 2 large brown onions, peeled and sliced; ½ cup natural cashews; ½ cup yoghurt; 1 cinnamon stick; 4 cloves; 3 green cardamom pods, bruised; 1 dried bay leaf; 1 green bird’s eye chilli, halved (optional); 1 tsp garam masala; 2 tsp ground coriander; 2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, roughly chopped

Adam Liaw

April 25, 2025

easyTime:2 hours +Serves:6

Korma comes from the Urdu word for “braised”, and most modern varieties include a rich gravy of browned onions, yoghurt and nuts.

Ingredients

3 tbsp vegetable oil
2 large brown onions, peeled and sliced
½ cup natural cashews
½ cup yoghurt
1 cinnamon stick
4 cloves
3 green cardamom pods, bruised
1 dried bay leaf
1 green bird’s eye chilli, halved (optional)
1 tsp garam masala
2 tsp ground coriander
2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, roughly chopped

CHICKEN AND MARINADE

800g chicken thigh fillets, cut into 5cm pieces
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground turmeric
½ tsp garam masala
2 tbsp garlic and ginger paste
2 tbsp yoghurt

Method

Step 1
Combine the chicken and the marinade ingredients and set aside for at least an hour, but preferably refrigerated overnight.
Step 2
Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil and the onions. Fry the onions for about 6 minutes until browned, then transfer to a blender with the cashews, yoghurt and about ½ a cup of water. Blend to a smooth purée.
Step 3
Return the saucepan to the heat and add the remaining oil. Add the cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, bay leaf and chilli (if using) and fry for a minute until fragrant.
Step 4
Add the chicken and fry for about 5 minutes until the chicken starts to brown. Pour the onion puree over the chicken, stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Simmer for about 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and a little oil rises to the top of the pot. Stir through the garam masala and ground coriander, scatter with the coriander leaves, then serve with steamed rice.