Marinade: To a mixing bowl, add the ingredients mentioned under the tittle Marinade - chicken, yogurt, ginger garlic, turmeric, salt, red chili powder and garam masala. Mix well to coat the chicken with the ingredients. Cover and keep aside.
Make the korma paste: Heat a pan with ghee/oil and add 2 cardamoms and onions. Saute until they turn golden brown and begin to caramelize (not burnt). Add the nuts and cool down. Blend to a smooth paste with yogurt.
Saute chicken: In the same pan, heat ghee/oil and add the optional whole spices - bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves and cardamom. When they begin to sizzle, add green chili and chicken. Saute on a medium heat for 5 to 6 mins.
Make Chicken Korma: Add the onion puree, salt, coriander powder, garam masala and chili powder (optional, for deeper color). Stir in the hot water and rise the heat to bring to a boil. Cover and cook on a medium low heat until the chicken is cooked through & you see traces of oil over the korma.
Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick to your liking, stir little hot water and simmer. If it is runny cook uncovered on a high heat, for a few minutes until thick. Taste test and adjust salt.
Garnish with coriander leaves. Serve chicken korma with Jeera rice, plain Basmati Rice, Butter Naan, roti or paratha.
