Description
Zereshk polo with chicken is a classic Persian dish featuring saffron-infused rice, tart barberries, and tender chicken. It combines sweet, sour, and savory flavors for a delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
- 1/2 cup zereshk (dried barberries)
- 1/4 tsp saffron, dissolved in 2 tbsp hot water
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Rinse and soak the rice for 30 minutes.
- Fry the onions in oil until golden, then add chicken, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Cook until the chicken is browned.
- Add water, cover, and simmer until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Parboil the rice, drain, and layer it in a pot with the chicken, melted butter, and saffron water.
- Cook on low heat for 30 minutes to create a crispy tahdig (crust).
- Rinse and drain the barberries, then sauté with sugar and a bit of saffron water.
- Serve the rice topped with barberries and chicken.
Notes
- Use high-quality saffron for the best flavor.
- Adjust sugar for barberries based on your taste.
- Let the rice rest for 10 minutes before serving to set the tahdig.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Persian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Zereshk polo, Persian rice, barberry rice, saffron rice, chicken and rice