Zereshk Polo Morgh - Persian Barberry Rice with Chicken

Step 1

Place the ice cubes in a very small cup and sprinkle saffron on top. Let it sit in room temperature until fully melted and saffron is dissolved. For more details, check out how to bloom saffron.

Step 2

Heat oil in a sauce pan over medium heat.

Step 3

Add turmeric, salt and pepper and let the spices mix for 30 seconds.

Step 4

Add tomato paste and saute until dark red.

Step 5

Add water and bring to boil, let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. Put it aside.

Step 6

Sprinkle the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper.

Step 7

Heat oil in a big pan over medium heat.

Step 8

Add butter and let it melt.

Step 9

Put the chicken thighs in the pan, skin side down.

Step 10

Pour liquid saffron all around the pan, tilt the pan a bit so the saffron gets to the skin.

Step 11

Sear the chicken until the skin is golden brown and crispy, about 7 minutes.

Step 12

Flip the chicken thighs so the other side also gets golden brown. About 5 minutes.

Step 13

Take the chicken thighs out of the pan, add onion, bell pepper and carrots to the pan. There is no need for more oil as the chicken thighs have rendered fat.

Step 14

Saute the veggies for 2 minutes and place the chicken on them, skin side up.

Step 15

Add the tomato paste sauce to the pan and add the liquid saffron.

Step 16

Bring to simmer and let it cook on low heat for 40-45 minutes until veggies are soft and the chicken is fully cooked.

Step 17

Meanwhile make the rice. (Recipe on the blog)

Step 18

minutes before serving, prepare the barberries:

Step 19

Put the barberries, water, oil, sugar and liquid saffron. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

Step 20

Put the pan on low heat and cook the barberries until bright red and shiny.

Step 21

Take 4-5 tbsp of Persian style rice and mix it with 2 tbsp liquid saffron, set it aside. You can mix some cooked barberries into it or just serve the barberries on top.

Step 22

Serve some Persian style rice on a plate and add the saffron barberry rice on top of it.

Step 23

Serve the chicken on the side with some sauce drizzled on top and some served in a bowl for additional taste.