This recipe is my twist on a traditional Persian chicken and rice dish introduced to me by a good friend's wife at a family dinner. I like to serve this to my family as a main meal accompanied with a salad.
Preparation Time
15 mins
Cooking Time
1 hr 15 mins
Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
Calories
764 Calories
Recipe Instructions
Step 1
Bring water and 3 1/2 tablespoons olive oil to a boil in a large pot; stir in saffron rice. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, 20 minutes.
Step 2
Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir onions and garlic in hot oil until lightly browned and softened, 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 3
Stir chicken into skillet and cook until seared on all sides; add chicken broth. Bring broth to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until broth is reduced and chicken is tender, 30 to 45 minutes. Remove from heat. Shred chicken using two forks to pull chicken cubes apart.
Step 4
Preheat oven to 385 degrees F (196 degrees C). Grease a 9x12-inch baking dish.
Step 5
Spread 1/2 the rice in a layer on the bottom of the baking dish. Spoon chicken and onion mixture over rice; spread chickpeas and raisins over chicken mixture. Top with remaining rice and sprinkle with paprika.
Step 6
Bake in the preheated oven until liquid is almost completely cooked off and rice is lightly browned at the edges, about 30 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Ingredients
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon paprika
4 ounces raisins
2 yellow onions, chopped
5 ⅓ cups water
6 ½ tablespoons olive oil, divided
16 ounces yellow saffron rice
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into cubes
