Saffron and Spice Infused Chicken with Barberry Rice
A captivating dish featuring succulent chicken pieces simmered in a blend of spices, infused with saffron, and paired with fluffy basmati rice adorned with tangy barberries.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 6 pieces bone-in chicken (drumsticks or thighs)
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.75 teaspoons turmeric
- 0.25 teaspoon cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoon nutmeg
- 0.25 teaspoon cardamom
- 0.25 teaspoon cumin
- 0.25 teaspoon coriander
- 0.125 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2.5 cups chicken stock
- 0.25 teaspoon ground saffron
For the Rice
- 1.5 cups basmati rice, dry
- 0.33 cup dried barberries
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 0.25 teaspoon sugar
For the Shirazi Salad
- 1 cucumber diced
- 2 tomatoes diced
- 0.5 of a red onion, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1 tablespoon juice of lemon
Additional Seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Saffron Water
- Sprinkle your ground saffron over an ice cube in a small dish. Allow the ice to melt to release the saffron's flavor.
Cook the Chicken
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Season the chicken pieces with turmeric, cumin, and cinnamon.
- Once hot, add chicken and chopped onions to the pot and brown the chicken.
- Once browned, add minced garlic and the remaining spices.
- Stir in the tomato paste, saffron water, and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer.
- Cover and cook on low heat for about 4 hours, or until the chicken is tender.
Cook the Rice
- Cook basmati rice according to package instructions.
- In a separate pan, melt butter and add dried barberries with sugar. Sauté for 30 seconds.
- Mix some of the cooked rice with the barberry mixture and saffron water.
- Layer the saffron-infused rice on top of the plain rice in a serving dish.
Prepare the Shirazi Salad
- Combine diced cucumber, tomatoes, and finely chopped red onion in a bowl.
- Drizzle lemon juice over the salad and sprinkle with mint.
- Mix gently and chill in the refrigerator before serving.
Notes
Let saffron steep longer in the ice-cube water for enhanced flavor. Marinate the chicken for extra depth of flavor. Feel free to customize spices and consider adding yogurt for a creamier texture.