
Chicken korma and butter chicken are two popular Indian dishes. Chicken korma is a creamy and mildly spiced dish with a nutty flavour. It is slow-cooked and typically includes yogurt, cream, and nuts. Butter chicken, on the other hand, has a tangy and slightly sweet flavour due to the use of tomatoes and cream. It is generally made with grilled or tandoori chicken cooked in a spicy curry sauce. While chicken korma is associated with the Mughal era, butter chicken is believed to have originated in Delhi in the 1950s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Spice level | Korma is mild, butter chicken is tangy and slightly spicy |
| Sauce | Korma: creamy, nutty, yogurt-based; Butter chicken: creamy, tangy, tomato-based |
| Preparation | Korma: slow-cooked; Butter chicken: grilled or tandoori-cooked |
| Meat | Korma: chicken, lamb, beef, fish, prawns, paneer, vegetables; Butter chicken: chicken |
| Origin | Korma: Mughal era, Indian subcontinent; Butter chicken: Delhi, India, 1950s |
| Calories and saturated fat | Butter chicken has higher levels of calories and saturated fat than korma |
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What You'll Learn

Korma is a creamy, nutty dish with a mild flavour
Chicken korma is a creamy, nutty dish with a mild flavour. It is a slow-cooked dish that originated in the royal kitchens of the Mughal Empire, blending Indian and Persian influences. The sauce, which is the defining element of korma, is made by blending yogurt, cream, and ground nuts, such as almonds, cashews, or coconut, creating a rich, nutty flavour. The chicken is simmered in this sauce, allowing the flavours to meld together harmoniously. The dish is then garnished with fried onions, raisins, and chopped nuts, adding texture and visual appeal. Chicken korma is often served with aromatic rice or naan bread.
The creamy texture of korma comes from its base of yogurt or cream, blended with aromatic spices such as cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, garam masala, turmeric, and Kashmiri red chilli powder. It is a milder dish compared to many Indian curries, with a subtle spice profile. The use of tomatoes in korma is not considered authentic. Instead, the sauce is typically a light colour, with a nutty essence.
Korma is a popular dish in Indian cuisine and is known for its intricate preparation and use of luxurious ingredients, making it a symbol of grandeur and refinement. It is often served during special occasions and celebratory gatherings, reflecting its association with the opulent Mughal era.
While butter chicken, or Murgh Makhani, also has a creamy sauce, it is tomato-based and has a tangy, slightly sweet flavour profile. It is a relatively modern dish, believed to have been invented in Delhi, India, in the 1950s. The chicken in butter chicken is typically cooked beforehand, either grilled or cooked in a tandoor oven, and then added to the sauce. This results in a bolder, more indulgent flavour than korma.
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Butter chicken is tangy and slightly sweet
Butter chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, is a rich and creamy dish with a tangy and slightly sweet flavour profile. It is characterised by its use of butter, cream, and tomatoes, which lend a bold and indulgent taste to the dish. The sauce is further enhanced with a blend of aromatic spices such as garam masala and paprika, resulting in a deeply delicious and irresistible curry.
The tanginess of butter chicken comes from the combination of tomatoes and cream, which creates a velvety smooth sauce with a subtle hint of sweetness. This distinct flavour sets it apart from other Indian curries and makes it a popular choice for those who enjoy a bold and tangy flavour with a slightly spicy kick. The chicken in butter chicken is typically cooked in a tandoor (traditional clay oven) or grilled, resulting in tender and smoky meat that complements the rich sauce.
The preparation of butter chicken involves marinating the chicken in a mixture of yogurt and spices before cooking it in the tandoor or grilling it. The sauce is made by blending tomatoes, butter, cream, and spices, creating a creamy and tangy base. This sauce is then simmered with the cooked chicken, allowing the flavours to meld together and create a harmonious taste.
The origin of butter chicken can be traced back to Delhi, India, in the 1950s, making it a relatively modern dish compared to chicken korma. It is believed to have been invented by accident when someone had the ingenious idea to cook leftover tandoori chicken in a buttery, creamy tomato sauce. This fusion of grilled chicken and a creamy tomato sauce showcases the culinary innovation of its time and has become a beloved dish worldwide.
While butter chicken is known for its tangy and slightly sweet flavour, it can also be customised to suit different preferences. By adjusting the amount of spices and ingredients used, such as reducing the spice level or adding more cream, one can create a milder or richer version of the dish. This versatility allows individuals to experiment and create a butter chicken recipe that caters to their unique taste preferences.
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Korma is slow-cooked, braised meat
Korma, or chicken korma, is a slow-cooked dish that originated in the royal kitchens of the Mughal Empire in India. It blends Indian and Persian culinary influences, combining Indian spices with Persian slow-cooking techniques. The name "korma" is derived from the Urdu word "qorma," which means braising or slow cooking.
The process of making korma involves marinating chicken pieces in a mixture of yogurt and aromatic spices such as cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, garam masala, turmeric, and Kashmiri red chili powder. This step not only adds flavour but also tenderises the meat. The sauce, which is the defining element of korma, is created by blending nuts (such as cashews, almonds, and sometimes coconut), poppy seeds, and occasionally a touch of cream. This blend results in a creamy, nutty base that characterises the dish.
The chicken is then slowly cooked in this sauce, allowing the flavours to meld together harmoniously. The slow cooking process is essential to the dish, as it results in tender, juicy, and flavourful meat. The final dish is garnished with fried onions, raisins, and chopped nuts, adding texture and visual appeal. Korma is often served with aromatic rice or naan bread.
Korma is known for its creamy texture and mild spice level. It has a nutty essence and a delicate, aromatic taste. It is a popular choice for those who prefer a milder, less spicy dish with a rich, nutty flavour. The slow cooking and braising techniques used in korma contribute to its distinctive flavour and texture, setting it apart from other Indian curries.
In summary, korma is a slow-cooked, braised meat dish that originated in the Mughal era. Its combination of Indian spices and Persian cooking techniques results in a creamy, nutty, and mildly spiced dish that is a favourite among those who prefer a milder curry. The slow cooking process is key to the dish's unique flavour and texture.
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Butter chicken uses pre-cooked tandoori chicken
Butter chicken and chicken korma are two popular Indian dishes with tender chicken pieces and creamy sauces. However, they have distinct characteristics that set them apart. One of the key differences lies in the preparation and cooking techniques of the chicken used in each dish.
Butter chicken, also known as Murgh Makhani, is believed to have originated in Delhi, India, in the 1950s, making it a relatively modern dish compared to chicken korma. The chicken in butter chicken is pre-cooked using a traditional cooking method called tandoori, where it is baked in a tandoor, a clay oven, giving it a tender and smoky flavour. Alternatively, for those without access to a tandoor, the chicken can be grilled, baked, or pan-fried before being added to the sauce. This pre-cooked chicken is then combined with a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet tomato-based sauce, enriched with butter, cream, and a blend of spices such as garam masala and paprika. The fusion of flavours and cooking techniques in butter chicken showcases culinary innovation.
On the other hand, chicken korma has its roots in the Mughal Empire, blending Indian and Persian influences. It is a slow-cooked dish, where the chicken is not cooked beforehand but is marinated and simmered in a creamy, nutty, and aromatic sauce. This sauce is typically made with a base of yogurt or cream and spices like cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, and Kashmiri red chilli powder. The chicken korma preparation process is intricate, reflecting its association with opulent celebrations and the Mughal era's cultural fusion.
The use of pre-cooked tandoori chicken in butter chicken contributes to its distinct flavour profile, setting it apart from chicken korma, which has a milder and less tangy flavour. This difference in chicken preparation methods is a key factor in the overall taste and texture of these two beloved Indian dishes.
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Korma is healthier than butter chicken
Chicken korma is a creamy and mildly spiced dish with a rich, nutty flavour. It typically includes yogurt, cream, and nuts (such as almonds or cashews), and aromatic spices like cardamom, coriander, and cinnamon. The chicken is not cooked beforehand; instead, it is slowly cooked in a lightly spiced caramelized onion yogurt sauce, resulting in chicken that is succulent and juicy.
On the other hand, butter chicken has a tangy, slightly sweet, and creamy tomato-based sauce enriched with butter, cream, and a blend of spices such as garam masala and paprika. Butter chicken is made with pre-cooked tandoori chicken. The chicken is marinated in yogurt and spices before being cooked in a tandoor (traditional clay oven) or grilled.
Korma has fewer calories and less saturated fat than butter chicken, making it the healthier option. Additionally, korma is a slow-cooked dish, which allows the flavours to meld together and create a harmonious taste. The sauce, a defining element of korma, is crafted by blending cashews, almonds, poppy seeds, and occasionally a touch of cream, creating a creamy, nutty base.
Butter chicken, on the other hand, has a bolder, more indulgent, and robust flavour profile due to its tangy tomatoes, buttery richness, and smoky tandoori flavours. It is generally more affluent and creamier than korma.
In summary, while both dishes have their unique merits and appeal to different palates, korma is the healthier option as it contains fewer calories and less saturated fat.
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Frequently asked questions
Korma is a yogurt-based curry with a creamy, nutty sauce, while Butter Chicken is a tomato-based curry with a tangy, buttery sauce.
Korma is a mild curry with a subtle spice profile. Butter Chicken has a more robust, tangy flavor and is slightly spicy.
Korma originated in North India during the Mughal era, blending Indian and Persian influences. Butter Chicken was invented in Delhi, India, in the 1950s, making it a relatively modern dish.
Korma is considered healthier than Butter Chicken as it has lower levels of calories and saturated fat.











































