Description
Persian Chicken is a flavorful dish made with juicy chicken, warm spices, dried fruits, and almonds. It’s rich, aromatic, and perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
4 pieces of chicken (legs or thighs preferred)
1 large onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon salt (adjust to taste)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup dried apricots or prunes (or a mix)
½ cup toasted almond slivers
Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Rinse chicken pieces and pat dry with paper towels.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet and sauté onions until golden brown.
Add garlic, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, pepper, and salt; cook 2–3 minutes.
Increase heat and sear chicken 5 minutes per side until browned.
Deglaze with lemon juice, scraping flavorful bits from the pan.
Add chicken broth and dried fruits, then bring to a simmer.
Cover and cook on low heat for 40 minutes.
Stir in toasted almonds and cook uncovered for 5–10 more minutes.
Let rest 10 minutes, garnish with herbs, and serve with rice or bread.
Notes
Substitute dried apricots with prunes or raisins for a different sweetness.
Make ahead—the flavor deepens when reheated the next day.
Serve with basmati rice or flatbread to soak up the sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop Braising
- Cuisine: Persian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece with sauce
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg