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Persian Saffron Chicken Recipe

Persian Saffron Chicken Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 24 reviews

Persian Saffron Chicken is a fragrant and flavorful dish featuring tender bone-in chicken simmered in a rich sauce infused with aromatic spices like turmeric, cinnamon, and saffron. Served alongside saffron-infused basmati rice garnished with tart barberries and a refreshing Shirazi salad, this recipe offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors, ideal for a comforting and elegant meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • A few tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 6 pieces bone-in chicken (drumsticks or thighs)
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1¾ teaspoons turmeric
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon coriander
  • ⅛ teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2½ cups chicken stock (or water if using bone-in chicken)
  • ½ of the saffron water (see below)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Saffron Water:

  • ¼ teaspoon saffron, ground with a pestle and mortar
  • 1 ice cube

For the Rice:

  • 1½ cups basmati rice (dry)
  • Half of the reserved saffron water
  • ⅓ cup dried barberries
  • 1 teaspoon butter
  • ¼ teaspoon sugar

For the Shirazi Salad:

  • 1 cucumber
  • 2 tomatoes
  • ½ red onion
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried mint)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare Saffron Water: Sprinkle the ground saffron over an ice cube in a small dish and allow the ice to melt completely. This will release the saffron’s aroma and color. Set aside the saffron-infused water for later use.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat a few tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Combine the turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cumin, coriander, and chili powder. Sprinkle a little of this spice mixture over the chicken pieces. Add the chicken and chopped onion to the pot, sautéing until the chicken is browned on all sides and the onions are softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the remaining spices, tomato paste, half of the saffron water, and chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and let simmer uncovered for about 4 hours until the chicken is very tender and the sauce thickens. For a quicker option, simmer at higher heat until tender, approximately 1-1.5 hours.
  3. Cook the Rice: Rinse the basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Cook the rice according to package directions, typically by boiling in salted water until tender, then draining. In a small pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the dried barberries and sugar, sautéing for about 30 seconds to soften the barberries and bring out their tartness. Mix about half a cup of the cooked rice with the barberries and the remaining saffron water. Pour the plain rice into a serving dish, then layer the saffron-barberry rice mixture on top for a beautiful, colorful presentation.
  4. Prepare the Shirazi Salad: Dice the cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion finely. In a bowl, combine the diced vegetables with lemon juice and chopped fresh mint. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss well and chill the salad until ready to serve alongside the chicken and rice.

Notes

  • If chicken thighs are available, use them for extra tenderness and flavor.
  • Barberries can be found at Middle Eastern or specialty grocery stores; if unavailable, substitute with dried cranberries but reduce added sugar accordingly.
  • Cooking the chicken low and slow enhances tenderness and flavor, but a higher heat option can be used for faster preparation.
  • Adjust the chili powder amount to control heat level.
  • For gluten-free option, ensure all spices and stock are certified gluten-free.
  • Use fresh saffron for the best flavor and color; however, powdered saffron can be substituted in a pinch but may yield a less vibrant result.

Nutrition

Keywords: Persian chicken recipe, saffron chicken, Persian rice dish, barberries, Shirazi salad, traditional Persian cuisine, saffron rice, healthy chicken recipe

Find it online: https://islawhite.com/persian-saffron-chicken-recipe/