Chicken korma vs butter chicken: What’s the difference? As a registered dietitian and food scientist married into an Indian family, I’m here to spill the (chai) tea on the difference between these two creamy, dreamy chicken curries. 

Here is all you need to know about these two recipes: key differences, which is healthier PLUS how they are prepared.

Chicken Korma Vs Butter Chicken: A Quick Glance

Chicken Korma is a creamy and mildly spiced dish with a rich, nutty flavor. This outrageously good curry features thick yogurt, cream, nuts, and aromatic spices. 

Butter chicken, on the other hand, has a tangy, slightly sweet tomato-based sauce enriched with butter, cream, and a blend of spices. This ingredient blend delivers a beautifully rich and tasty dish. 

While both are wildly popular Indian dishes with tender chicken pieces, they differ in flavor profile, ingredients, and culinary origins. 

What is Chicken Korma?

Chicken Korma is a popular Indian dish originally from Delhi. It is known for its creamy texture and mild flavor. 

It typically consists of chicken pieces cooked in a rich sauce made from yogurt, cream. It also has various spices such as coriander, garam masala, and cardamom. 

The sauce is often thickened and enriched with nuts like almonds or cashews. 

Chicken korma is usually served with rice or naan bread and garnished with fresh coriander leaves or sliced almonds. 

This dish is perfect for those who prefer milder curries.

What is Butter Chicken?

Butter Chicken is a classic Indian dish from Mughlai featuring tender pieces of chicken cooked in a rich and creamy tomato-based sauce. 

It’s known for its velvety texture and mildly spiced flavor profile. The sauce is usually made with butter, heavy cream (or whipping cream), tomatoes, and various spices, such as garam masala.

Butter chicken is often served with rice or naan bread, making it a popular choice in Indian cuisine. Its indulgent taste and creamy consistency have made it a beloved dish both in India and around the world.

Chicken Korma Vs Butter Chicken : What is the Difference?

Chicken korma and Butter chicken can appear to be similar dishes, but they have some key differences in terms of flavor and origin.

Here is a summary of the main differences:

Flavor profile

• Chicken korma: It is a creamy and mildly spiced dish with a rich, nutty flavor. It typically includes yogurt, cream, nuts (such as almonds or cashews), and aromatic spices like cardamom, coriander, and cinnamon.
• Butter chicken: Also known as Murgh Makhani, it has a rich, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor profile. It is characterized by its creamy tomato-based sauce, which is flavored with butter, cream, and a blend of spices such as garam masala and paprika.

Region

• Chicken korma: It has roots in Mughlai cuisine, which originated in the Indian subcontinent during the Mughal Empire.
• Butter chicken: It is believed to have been invented in Delhi, India, in the 1950s, making it a relatively modern dish compared to chicken korma.

Which is Better? Chicken Korma or Butter Chicken?

Figuring out which dish is “better” between chicken korma and butter chicken ultimately depends on your personal preference and what you LOVE (spicy, mild, thick gravy, thinner sauce etc).

If you prefer mild to medium heat, a creamier dish with a hint of sweetness and a richer texture, chicken korma might be the better choice for you. Its blend of yogurt, cream, and ground nuts creates a luxurious sauce that complements the tender chicken well.

On the other hand, if you enjoy bold, tangy flavors with a slightly spicy kick and a smooth, velvety sauce, butter chicken could be more for you. Its combination of butter, cream, tomatoes, and aromatic spices are deeply delicious and irresistible.

Ultimately, both dishes have their own unique appeal, and it’s worth trying both to see which one resonates more with your taste preferences. 

Chicken Korma Vs Butter Chicken: Which Is Healthier?

Here is a breakdown of the nutritional values and breakdowns of both butter chicken and chicken korma to explore:

Notice the higher level of calories and saturated fat in butter chicken versus chicken korma.

In terms of which is “healthier”, using calories and saturated as a measure – chicken korma is healthier than butter chicken.

How to make chicken korma

I crave chicken korma on the regular. If you want to try making it, check out my super simple recipe for chicken korma. It’s totally lush and loved to pieces by my own family and everyone else who’s tried it.

Chicken korma recipes commonly use chicken breasts and thighs.

The steps involved are basically:

• Taking time to cook onions until deeply golden brown before adding garlic, ginger and chillies. Rich caramelized onions are key to the sauce.
• Stirring in spices and then adding tomato puree, almond butter and water.
• Finally the chicken cubes go in followed by yogurt and cream (stir), and salt.
  

What I Serve with Butter Chicken and Chicken Korma

Let’s go full out and make classic Indian sides to butter chicken and chicken korma! Here’s what I love serving these curries with:

Indian flatbreads: Roti, chapati, butter naan, or paratha are all delicious choices for dipping in this yummy masala sauce.

Basmati Rice: my viral basmati rice recipe based on my Indian mother-in-law’s game-changing method. you’ll never make it any other way!