Persian Chicken with Saffron Rice
Tender, juicy chicken marinated with aromatic spices and served over fragrant Persian saffron rice creates a timeless dish that embodies the richness of Persian cuisine. Elegant yet comforting, it is perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 h 20 min
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Medium
Ingredients
For the Chicken
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless) | 4 |
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp |
| Plain yogurt | 100 g |
| Garlic, minced | 2 cloves |
| Lemon juice | 1 tbsp |
| Paprika | 1 tsp |
| Ground turmeric | ½ tsp |
| Salt | 1 tsp |
| Black pepper | ½ tsp |
| Zadeh Organic Persian Saffron | ½ tsp |
| Hot water | 2 tbsp |
| Ice cubes | 2 |
For the Persian Saffron Rice
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Basmati rice | 2 cups |
| Unsalted butter | 40 g |
| Olive oil | 2 tbsp |
| Salt | 2 tbsp (for boiling water) |
| Barberries (optional) | 50 g |
| Chopped pistachios | 30 g |
Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare the saffron
Grind the saffron threads gently and combine them with the hot water and ice cubes. Allow to infuse for 10–15 minutesuntil a rich golden colour develops.
Step 2 – Marinate the chicken
In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, paprika, turmeric, salt and pepper.
Add half of the infused saffron and mix well.
Coat the chicken thoroughly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for the best flavour.
Step 3 – Cook the rice
Prepare the Persian Saffron Rice following the recipe instructions, adding the remaining infused saffron during the steaming stage.
Step 4 – Cook the chicken
Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium heat.
Cook the chicken for approximately 8–10 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until beautifully golden and fully cooked.
Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving.
Step 5 – Assemble
Arrange the saffron rice on a serving platter.
Top with the chicken and garnish with barberries, chopped pistachios and a few saffron threads.
Serve immediately.
Chef's Tip
Marinating the chicken overnight allows the yogurt and saffron to tenderize the meat while developing deeper flavours. Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon just before serving for extra brightness.
Perfect Pairings
- Persian Cucumber & Yogurt Salad
- Grilled Vegetables
- Saffron Cheesecake
- Persian Saffron Ice Cream
- Persian Black Tea
Products Used
✨ Zadeh Organic Persian Saffron
Carefully harvested from the finest Persian crocus flowers, our premium saffron delivers exceptional colour, aroma and flavour, making every dish authentically Persian.