Description
Persian Chicken with Yoghurt and Saffron is a fragrant, tender dish made by marinating chicken in a rich mixture of Greek yoghurt, lemon juice, saffron, and warm spices before grilling to perfection. It’s a flavorful and comforting Middle Eastern-inspired meal ideal for both casual and special occasions.
Ingredients
- 4 medium onions, thinly sliced
- Juice of 4 to 5 lemons (about 180 ml)
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for frying
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 400 grams full-fat Greek yoghurt
- 2 tablespoons crushed sea salt flakes
- 1 large pinch saffron threads
- 3 tablespoons boiling water
- 6 large boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 900 grams), cut into 5 cm chunks
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the sliced onions, yoghurt, lemon juice, olive oil, turmeric, and sea salt until well combined.
- Lightly crush saffron threads and steep in 3 tablespoons boiling water for 10 minutes until fragrant and deeply colored.
- Add chicken to the yoghurt mixture and stir to coat thoroughly. Pour in the saffron infusion and mix again.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight for best flavor.
- Preheat grill or oven broiler to highest setting. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Remove chicken from marinade with tongs or a slotted spoon and arrange in a single layer on the tray.
- Grill for 18–22 minutes, turning once, until lightly charred and cooked through.
- Meanwhile, heat a little olive oil in a frying pan. Remove onions from leftover marinade and fry over medium heat until sticky and golden yellow.
- Serve grilled chicken over the cooked onions on a platter. Serve hot.
Notes
- Marinate overnight for maximum tenderness and flavor.
- Saffron gives a distinctive aroma and color, but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Cooking the onions separately enhances their flavor and avoids burning.
- Use bone-in thighs or drumsticks for variation, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
- Pairs well with saffron rice, flatbread, or salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Persian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1150mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
