Iranian Chicken With Turmeric, Saffron, and Lemon Juice

Submitted by Barbell Bunny

"I love the recipes found on My Persian Kitchen, as they are authentic and delicious Iranian dishes. I chose this one, "Mitra's Sunshine Chicken" not only because it had my name in it, but because I remember my step mother having made this dish and I absolutely love it! The flavors are elegant and delicious. From My Persian Kitchen."

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 6
• Serves: 5

ingredients

• 10 chicken drumsticks (you can use any chicken, but it is best made with chicken legs)
• 1 large onion
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon saffron mixed with water
• 1⁄2 cup lemon juice

directions

1. Rough chop the onion and place in a large pot.
2. Add chicken on top.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Add turmeric.
5. Add 1/2 cup of water.
6. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked all the way through. 10 minutes into the cooking, give the whole pot a stir to allow the turmeric to coat the chicken and onions.
7. If you choose to use fresh lemon juice, squeeze your lemons now.
8. When the chicken is done, remove it from the pot and keep warm.
9. Add saffron mixed with water and lemon juice to the water remaining in your pot. Adjust seasonings if needed.
10. With a hand or regular blender, process the juice and onion until nice and smooth. Let reduce for a few minutes on low hear until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
11. Arrange your chicken in a platter and pour the sauce over the chicken.
12. Serve with Iranian polo (rice).

Reviews

[Bonita Y.]

Just found this recipe, I will definitely make this dish for my family. Looks so delicious, my mouth was watering!????. Thank God my three baybees are not picky at all!??

 

[snyderme]

I made this as written, except threw chicken under broiler to "crisp up the skin" during the keep warm phase. We loved it, even my young kids, will make again!

 

[redpoodlesrus_11504]

This is an amazing dish, yum. The whole family liked it. But I only used 2 TBS of lemon juice, Several pieces of fresh turmeric and extra onion and yogurt. I did use 1 TBS of saffron but I made 30 pieces of chicken thighs. YUM!!! And easy

 

[Odeliah]

This recipe calls for far too much saffron. I wonder if the author meant to write 1 tsp instead of 1 tbsp. The typical amount (even in Persian dishes) used for an entire chicken is a pinch (around 1 tsp). Since it's the most expensive spice in the world I thought I would caution anyone making this recipe that they could reduce the amount of saffron with equally good results.

 

[The Omnivore]

Yum! I've been trying to get more seafood into my diet so I actually substituted 2 pounds of shrimp (and cut the cooking times in half) for the chicken and it was delightful! The sauce was also great on kidney beans without the shrimp even in it.