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This Vegan Shahi Chicken Korma with Jackfruit is a decadent and complex flavor delicious dish that your entire family will love. It is not too spicy and tastes so much better than the restaurant-style korma you get at most Indian restaurants!

a serving of vegan shahi chicken korma with jackfruit served with rice and spinach
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Here’s an vegan spin on the restaurant favorite Shahi Chicken korma – Shahi Jackfruit Korma. ‘Shahi‘ literally means ‘Royal‘ and refers to Korma that was made in the royal kitchens of the Mughal Era in India.

My Vegan Shahi Chicken Korma with Jackfruit is a rich, fragrant plant-based curry made by simmering jackfruit in a rich cashew-based cream sauce. There are many korma variations and recipes based on region, restaurant and chef. Shahi kormas usually are more decadent with nuts like cashews compared to other kormas that may use lighter nuts such as almonds or coconut. Learn how to make this vegan korma at home, with this easy, step-by-step recipe.

This is a dish that your entire family will love. It is not too spicy! The secret is in the creamy white sauce, which is onion based with some added color from the spices. Onions are ideally fried and blended with the cashews. But we cook them to golden and then blend them. Tomato paste or purรฉe is added just to cut the flavor and richness. It usually isnโ€™t the dominant flavor.

vegan jackfruit korma served with rice and spinach

We use jackfruit as a chicken sub. You can also use other vegan chickin subs like soycurls or seitan or vegan chicken . This vegan jackfruit korma is a rich and luxurious Indian dish that pairs amazingly well with Naan or Basmati rice or roti.

This korma is based on chef ranveer brars shahi korma and some other shahi sauces from books Iโ€™ve referenced before.

a black skillet with vegan jackfruit korma sprinkled with herbs

More Vegan Jackfruit Recipes:

Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches

Chili Lime Roasted Veggies & Jackfruit with Jalapeno Cream Sauce

Berbere Spiced Jackfruit Tacos ; 1 Bowl

Jackfruit Chickpea Coconut Stir fry ; Fanasachi Bhaji

Easy Jackfruit Curry

Shahi Chicken Korma with Jackfruit

5 from 8 votes
By: Vegan Richa
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
This Vegan Shahi Chicken Korma with Jackfruit is a decadent complex flavored dish that your entire family will love! Glutenfree , Soyfree, option for Nutfree
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Ingredients 
 

  • 20 oz can young green jackfruit, drained, washed and squeezed with a kitchen towel. (See instructions for prep)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon corn starch, or tapioca starch
  • 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning, or use generous pinches of sage, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, celery salt, black pepper

For the sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 2 cups chopped red onion
  • 2 tablespoons cashews
  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds, or use hemp seeds or melon seeds
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1.5 Cups water
  • 2 whole cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne or Indian red chili powder
  • 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika or use Kashmiri chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 3 tablespoons plain non dairy yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste or use 1/2 inch of minced ginger and 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste, or use 1.5 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, julienned
  • ยฝ teaspoon or more salt

To add later:

  • 4 strands of saffron mixed in 1 tablespoon hot water,, optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon garam masala

For garnish:

  • Cilantro and lemon juice., and julienned ginger

Instructions 

  • Drain and wash the jackfruit really well. Then use a paper towel to wrap the jackfruit and then wrap it up in a kitchen towel and squeeze really well, to remove any excess brine. Squeeze by wringing the towel.
  • Open tbe towel. If the jackfruit pieces are too large then break them apart into halves and add to a bowl.
  • Mix the poultry seasoning and the corn starch and sprinkle all over the jack fruit. Toss to coat and set aside.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 teaspoons oil, onion and a pinch of salt and cook until the onion is golden brown. This can take anywhere from 7 to 9 minutes.
  • Deglaze the skillet with splashes of water if the onion starts to scorch on the edges but is not evenly golden brown. This depends on the pan and stove. The deglazing also helps conduct the heat evenly and that will help the onion brown evenly .
  • Once the onion is golden brown all over, transfer to a blender, add the cashews, pumpkin seeds and 1 1/2 cups of water and blend until the cashews break down. I usually blend for a minute and let it sit for 5 minutes or so, then blend again, and repeat for another 2-3 cycles, so that the cashews and pumpkin seeds are very creamy. Set this mixture aside.
  • Heat another teaspoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot add all of the whole spices; bay leaves, cloves, black pepper corn, and cinnamon stick.ย  Cook for 30 seconds or until the bay leaves start to change colour.
  • Once the whole spices are golden brown, add the corn starch coated jackfruit to the skillet and cook until the jackfruit is golden on some of the edges. This can take anywhere from 5 to 7 minutes.
  • In the meanwhile, mix all of the ground spices in the yogurt and keep ready. Thatโ€™s the coriander, turmeric, cayenne, paprika, garam masala and nutmeg. Mix really well. You can also add 1/8 teaspoon of allspice for additional flavor.
  • Add in the yogurt mixture to the skillet. Then add a splash of water and the ginger garlic paste and mix really well. Cook until the mixture thickens a little bit. It will take just about a minute because the pan is going to be hot.
  • Add in the julienned ginger, tomato paste and the blended cashew paste and salt and mix really well. If the mixture is already really thick, add in some water then partially cover and cook until there is a little bit of oil on top of the sauce.
  • Stir in between so that the thickening sauce does not scorch the bottom of the pan. Once thickened evenly, open the lid and add in saffron water and the remaining garam masala, and stir in. Taste and adjust the flavor, you can add more salt and more spiciness, Using some cayenne if needed. Take off the heat. Garnish with cilantro, julienned ginger and lemon juice.
  • Serve this with rice or flatbread or add to a bowl with some roasted veggies and other Indian dishes or a side salad.

Video

Notes

To make this nut free substitute the cashews with more pumpkin seeds or hemp seeds or melon seeds. You can also use 4 oz of silken tofu instead for the sauce.ย 
Jackfruit substitute :. If you donโ€™t like jackfruit you can substitute the jackfruit with 4 oz soy curls or 8 oz seitan and make the korma. If using soy curls, soak them in water and drain. Then coat in the corn starch and continue with the recipe. You donโ€™t need to soak the seitan, just coat it in the cornstarch and continue with the recipe.
You can also make this recipe with roasted vegetables or chickpeas. Add the 1.5 cups roasted vegetables or ย chickpeas after the sauce has thickened and not before and then mix and simmer in the sauce for 3-4 minutes and serve.
No onion garlic: use zucchini instead of onion. Add 1/8 teaspoon asafetida or 1/2 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves instead of garlicย 

Nutrition

Calories: 288kcal, Carbohydrates: 51g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 367mg, Potassium: 439mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 395IU, Vitamin C: 9mg, Calcium: 126mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Ingredients:

  •  jackfruit – drained washed and squeezed with a kitchen towel.
  • the jackfruit is coated with a small amount of corn starch and poultry seasoning before cooking it
  • the base of the vegan korma sauce is made by blending sauteed red onions with cashews and pumpkin seeds to form a creamy gravy
  • whole spices: bay leaves, cloves,  black peppercorns, and cinnamon stick – these are tempered in oil
  • to the tempering we add ground spices: coriander,  turmeric, cayenne, paprika, garam masala, nutmeg
  • yogurt is added for some tang and for that creamy smooth texture
  • tomato paste helps add some color and cuts through the richness
  • I like to add store-bought ginger garlic paste for convenience’s sake but you can also mince 1/2 inch of ginger and 3 cloves of garlic
  • right in the end, I add some saffron mixed in 1 tablespoon of hot water or non dairy milk for that vibrant golden color but this is really optional
  • garam masala, cilantro and lemon juice are added right in the end to bring the whole dish together

Tips & Substitutions:

  • To make this nut free substitute the cashews with more pumpkin seeds or hemp seeds or melon seeds.
  • This curry is already gluten-free and soy free.
  • If you donโ€™t like jackfruit you can substitute the jackfruit with 5 oz soy curls or 8 oz seitan and make the korma. If using soy curls, soak them in water and drain. Then coat in the corn starch and continue with the recipe. You donโ€™t need to soak the seitan, just coat it in the cornstarch and continue with the recipe.
  • You can also make this recipe with roasted vegetables or chickpeas. Add the roasted vegetables and chickpeas after the sauce has thickened and not before and then mix and simmer in the sauce for 3-4 minutes and serve.
ingredients needed for making vegan chicken korma with jackfruit

How to make Vegan Jackfruit Korma

canned jackfruit on a sheet of paper towels

Drain and wash the jack fruit really well.

canned sliced of jackfruit being blotted dry on a sheet of paper towels

Then use a paper towel to wrap up and then wrap it up in a kitchen towel and squeeze really well, to remove any excess brine. Squeeze by wringing in the towel.

jackfruit chunks in a small white bowl coated with cornstarch

If the jackfruit pieces are too large then break them apart into halves and add to a bowl.

jackfruit tossed with cornstarch in a small white bowl

Mix the poultry seasoning and the corn starch and sprinkle all over the jack fruit. Toss to coat and set aside.

chopped onions in a black skillet

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 teaspoons oil, onion and a pinch of salt and cook until the onion is golden brown. This can take anywhere from 7 to 9 minutes.

browned onions in a black skillet

Deglaze the skillet with splashes of water if the onion starts to scorch on the edges but is not evenly golden brown. This depends on the pan and stove. The deglazing also helps conduct the heat evenly and that will help the onion brown evenly .

Once the onion is golden brown all over, transfer to a blender, add the cashews, pumpkin seeds and 1 1/2 cups of water and blend until the cashews break down. I usually blend for a minute and let it sit for 5 minutes or so, then blend again for another 2-3 cycles, so that the cashews and pumpkin seeds are very creamy. Set this mixture aside.

Heat another teaspoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot add all of the whole spices; bay leaves, cloves, black pepper corn, and cinnamon stick.  Cook for 30 seconds or until the bay leaves start to change colour.

spice mix for vegan jackfruit korma in a small glass bowl

Once the whole spices are golden brown, add the corn starch coated jackfruit to the skillet and cook until the jackfruit is golden on some of the edges. This can take anywhere from 5 to 7 minutes.

In the meanwhile, mix all of the ground spices in the yogurt and keep ready. Thatโ€™s the coriander, turmeric, cayenne, paprika, garam masala and nutmeg. Mix really well. You can also add 1/8 teaspoon of allspice for additional flavor.

Add in the yogurt mixture, a splash of water and the ginger garlic paste and mix really well. Cook until the mixture thickens a little bit. It will take just about a minute because the pan is going to be hot.

Add in the julienned ginger, tomato paste and the blended cashew paste and salt and mix really well. If the mixture is already really thick, add in some water then partially cover and cook until there is a little bit of oil on top of the sauce.

a black skillet with vegan chicken korma with jackfruit

Stir once the sauce thickens so that it does not scorch the bottom of the pan. Then open the lid and add in saffron water and the remaining garam masala, and stir in. Taste and adjust the flavor, you can add more salt and more spiciness. Using some cayenne if needed. Take off the heat.

Serve this with rice or flatbread or add to a bowl with some roasted veggies and other Indian dishes  or a side salad.

a serving of vegan chicken korma with jackfruit on a white plate served with rice and spinach

About Richa

Hi, I'm Richa! I create flavorful plant based recipes that are inspired by my Indian upbringing, including many gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free options.

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5 from 8 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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12 Comments

  1. Carrie M says:

    5 stars
    Wow! This curry is amazing! I didnโ€™t have jackfruit so I added baked tofu and roasted some veggies I needed to use up. The gravy I made exactly as written and I wouldnโ€™t change a thing. Thank you so much for sharing your recipes (there are so many!).

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      Thank you for taking the time to comment! Glad you liked it.

  2. Christoph says:

    5 stars
    This takes a bit more effort in preparation and cleaning up but it’s very much worth it. Excellent rich taste, worthwhile for showing off!

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      Glad you liked it!

  3. Cinnamon says:

    5 stars
    I keep making your indian recipes and i should really leave reviews! this shahi korma was delightful. I had some homemade cashew yoghurt and cashew cream, the cream i used in place of cashews since they get blended anyway. the spices work great together and it had a lovely creaminess you look for in korma yet had a complexity of flavour that’s delicious! thank you

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      yay, thank you for reviewing!

  4. Patty says:

    Hi! Can the cornstarch be substituted? Thanks!

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      The best swap would be tapioca starch. Enjoy!

  5. Anna Brewer says:

    5 stars
    This was lovely! I didn’t follow the recipe exactly but I did use the spices/sauce as written, and it was great – creamy, fragrant, aromatic, spicy.

    For those interested:
    I fried the onion with the whole spices, then added the yoghurt/dry spices/garlic/ginger and fried for a min, then added the blended milk, tomato puree, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 drained can of chickpeas, and 120g cooked carrot. I let it simmer for a while, then added 1 tsp cornstarch to help it thicken up ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Vegan Richa Support says:

      Thank you for the info Anna and ๐ŸŒŸ rating.

  6. Emily says:

    5 stars
    This was so delicious! People always post the same tomato paste coconut milk Korma but this tastes so authentic and is fairly easy! I canโ€™t wait to use soycurls and chickpeas in the sauce!

    1. Richa says:

      Awesome