Chicken Korma with Cashew and Cream

Korma is one of the gentler, creamier styles of Indian curry, known for its softly spiced sauce rather than sharp heat. In this version, boneless chicken thighs simmer in a blended cashew and onion base scented with coriander, cardamom, cinnamon, garlic and ginger, giving the sauce body and a mellow warmth. Double cream is stirred in at the end for a velvety finish, while fresh coriander lifts the richness. Served with basmati rice, it makes a comforting dinner with plenty of sauce for spooning over the grains.
Cuisine style Indian-style mild curry
Spice level Mild
Cooking style Make-ahead friendly • Meal prep friendly • Freezer-friendly
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Velvety sauce: Blended cashews thicken the sauce naturally, while double cream gives the korma a smooth, rounded finish.
  • Gentle spice depth: Softened onion, garlic, ginger and warm ground spices build flavour without making the curry hot.
  • Good for planning ahead: The curry keeps well and can be reheated gently, making it useful for batch cooking or next-day meals.

Get the most out of this recipe

Ingredient notes

  • Use boneless chicken thighs: Thigh meat stays tender during simmering and suits the rich, creamy sauce better than leaner cuts.
  • Blend the cashews thoroughly: A smooth cashew paste gives the sauce body without graininess; scrape down the blender if needed.
  • Almonds change the flavour: Blanched almonds can replace cashews, but they bring a slightly different nuttiness and a less naturally sweet finish.

Texture tips

  • For a silkier sauce: Blend the nut paste until completely smooth before adding it to the pan.
  • Keep the cream gentle: After adding the double cream, warm the korma over a low heat and avoid boiling to keep the sauce stable.
  • Adjust the consistency: Simmer until the sauce coats the back of a spoon; loosen with a splash of water if it thickens too much.

Make-ahead tips

  • Make the curry ahead: Cook the korma in advance, cool it quickly and refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze the curry, not the rice: The korma can be frozen for up to 2 months; defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.
  • Reheat slowly: Warm gently in a saucepan over a low heat, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce until piping hot.

Serving ideas

  • Serve with basmati rice: Steamed basmati rice absorbs the mild, creamy sauce and keeps the meal balanced.
  • Finish with coriander: Fresh coriander adds a clean herbal note that lifts the richness of the korma.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Rinse the basmati rice in cold water until the water runs mostly clear. Put it in a saucepan with 600 ml of the water and 1 tsp of the fine sea salt, bring to the boil, then cover and cook on the lowest heat for 10 minutes. Take off the heat and leave covered for 10 minutes to finish steaming.
  2. Meanwhile, peel and thinly slice the yellow onion. Peel the garlic and ginger root, then roughly chop both. Put the cashew nuts in a blender with 200 ml of the water and blitz to a smooth paste.
  3. Heat the ghee in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion with a pinch of the remaining salt and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring often, until soft and lightly golden. Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the ground coriander, ground cardamom, ground cinnamon and black pepper, and cook for 30 seconds. Add the chicken thighs and turn to coat in the spiced onion mixture. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring, until the chicken is no longer pink on the outside.
  5. Pour in the cashew paste and the remaining 100 ml water, then bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring regularly, until the chicken is tender and the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. If it starts to catch, add a splash of water and lower the heat.
  6. Lower the heat and stir in the double cream. Warm gently for 2 to 3 minutes until silky and piping hot, without letting it boil. Taste and adjust with the remaining fine sea salt if needed.
  7. Roughly chop the fresh coriander and scatter it over the korma. Fluff the rice with a fork and serve alongside the curry. Spoon extra sauce over the rice at the table.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For the smoothest sauce, blend the cashew nuts with hot water from the kettle, then blitz for a full minute and scrape down the blender once.
  • Keep the heat low after adding the double cream; a gentle warm-through prevents the sauce from splitting.
  • If serving vulnerable groups, make sure the chicken is cooked until piping hot throughout with no pink remaining in the centre.

Substitutions

  • Replace ghee with extra-virgin olive oil for a lighter, slightly fruitier base.
  • Replace double cream with cooking cream for a less rich finish.
  • Replace cashew nuts with blanched almonds for a similar creamy texture with a slightly different flavour.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool the korma quickly, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan over a low heat, adding a splash of water to loosen, until piping hot. Freeze the curry (not the rice) for up to 2 months; defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 55min (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Indian
  • Allergens:
    Cashews Milk
Freezer friendly Kid friendly

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