Fruity Persian Chicken That's Just a Bit Nuts

Transport your taste buds to the vibrant flavors of the Middle East with “Fruity Persian Chicken That’s Just a Bit Nuts.” This stunning dish combines tender, golden-seared chicken thighs with aromatic spices like cinnamon, turmeric, and cumin, simmered in a rich, savory broth. Sweet bursts of dried apricots and golden raisins add a luscious contrast, while crunchy toasted almonds and pistachios bring just the right amount of nuttiness. Finished with a splash of citrusy lemon juice and a garnish of fresh cilantro, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between savory, sweet, and tangy. Serve it over fluffy basmati rice or couscous for a beautifully fragrant meal that’s as comforting as it is elegant. Perfect for weeknights or special occasions, this Persian-inspired chicken recipe is a must-try for anyone seeking bold, exciting flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:65 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 6 pieces boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 0.5 cup golden raisins
• 0.5 cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted
• 0.5 cup pistachios, shelled
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and season both sides with 0.5 teaspoon of salt and 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper.

Step 2

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs on both sides until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic, ground cinnamon, ground turmeric, and ground cumin. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Pour in the chicken stock and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

Step 6

Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the liquid. Bring to a simmer, cover with a lid, and reduce the heat to low. Let it cook for 25 minutes.

Step 7

Add the chopped dried apricots and golden raisins to the skillet. Stir gently to incorporate. Allow to cook, uncovered, for an additional 10 minutes until the fruits are plump and the sauce has slightly thickened.

Step 8

Stir in the lemon juice and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Step 9

Sprinkle the slivered almonds and pistachios over the chicken just before serving.

Step 10

Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve warm with steamed basmati rice or fluffy couscous for an elegant and delicious meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1914.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3205.8

Total Fat 170.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 30.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 792.6mg	0%
Sodium 3183.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 225.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 33.1g	0%
Total Sugars 159.9g
Protein 216.3g	0%

Vitamin D 42IU	0%
Calcium 562.5mg	0%
Iron 22.2mg	0%
Potassium 4963.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.5%

Protein: 26.2%

Carbs: 27.3%