Degchi
Chicken Qorma
Serves 4 · Total 60 min · Prep 15 min · Cook 50 min
A festive Pakistani chicken curry built on deeply fried onion and a rich yogurt gravy, slow-cooked until the oil floats on top and the spices are fully infused. A staple at weddings and Eid tables, it is traditionally served with naan, roti or plain rice.
Quick answer: 60 min in total · serves 4 · main ingredients: Chicken, Onion, Yogurt, Ginger · amounts in metric and US
Ingredients
- 800 g 1.75 lb Chicken, bone-in curry pieces
- 3 pc 3 pc Onion, thinly sliced
- 250 g 1 cup Yogurt, whisked
- 1 tbsp 1 tbsp Ginger, paste
- 1 tbsp 1 tbsp Garlic, paste
- 1.5 tsp 1.5 tsp Garam masala
- 1 tsp 1 tsp Red chilli powder
- 0.5 tsp 0.5 tsp Turmeric
- 5 tbsp 5 tbsp Clarified butter
- to taste to taste Salt
- 4 pc 4 pc Cardamom (Optional)
- 1 pc 1 pc Cinnamon (Optional)
- 2 tbsp 2 tbsp Dry fruits, slivered almonds, for garnish (Optional)
Steps
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- Heat clarified butter in a heavy pot and fry the sliced onion slowly over medium heat, stirring often, until deep golden brown.⏱ Frying onion · 10 min
- Add ginger-garlic paste and the chicken pieces, and fry well until the chicken changes colour.⏱ Frying · 7 min
- Lower the heat, add turmeric, red chilli powder, cardamom and cinnamon, and fry for a minute.⏱ Frying spices · 1 min
- Take the pot off the heat for a minute. Whisk the yogurt until smooth and add it one spoonful at a time, stirring constantly, then return the pot to medium heat.
- Cook on medium-high heat, stirring, for about 5 minutes, until the yogurt has dried into the masala and oil begins to separate at the edges.⏱ Cooking yogurt masala · 5 min
- Add salt and half a cup of hot water, cover and cook on low heat for 20–25 minutes, until the chicken is tender and the oil floats on top.⏱ Cooking covered · 25 min
- Sprinkle garam masala, cover and let the gravy simmer for 3 minutes to blend the flavours.⏱ Simmering · 3 min
- Garnish with slivered almonds and serve hot with naan, roti or plain rice.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Chicken Qorma take?
60 minutes in total: about 15 minutes of prep and 50 minutes of cooking.
Is Chicken Qorma hard to make?
Degchi rates it medium. The method has 8 steps, and 6 of them have a timer you can start on this page.
How many people does Chicken Qorma serve?
This recipe serves 4. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.
Is Chicken Qorma halal, vegetarian or eggless?
It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is not vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.
What will I probably need to buy for Chicken Qorma?
Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: red chilli powder, turmeric, salt. Spice-box items: garam masala. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: chicken, onion, yogurt, ginger, garlic, clarified butter.
Any tips for making Chicken Qorma?
Take the pot off the heat for a moment before adding yogurt, then return it — this helps prevent curdling. Frying the onion low and slow rather than on high heat gives a sweeter, deeper colour without burning.
Notes and questions
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