Saffron Chicken
This saffron chicken is a rich and aromatic dish that combines warm spices, creamy yogurt, and the delicate floral notes of saffron for a meal that feels truly special. The saffron-infused sauce adds depth and warmth, while the blend of spices creates a beautifully balanced flavor. Served over rice, this dish is indulgent yet surprisingly simple to make at home!
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Servings: 6 people
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter or ghee
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 1 pound chicken breast or thigh cut into large pieces
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced or crushed
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon crushed green cardamom pods
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ⅓ cup plain yogurt
- ¼ cup almond flour or ground almonds
- 1 ½ teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon saffron threads
- 2 tablespoons warm milk to bloom the saffron
- ⅔ cup water
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Start by blooming the saffron by soaking the threads in 2 tablespoons of warm milk for ~10-15 minutes.½ teaspoon saffron threads, 2 tablespoons warm milk
- While the saffron is blooming, melt butter (or ghee) with the oil in a large frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Once heated, add the chicken pieces and fry until lightly browned. This should take about 5 minutes. The chicken does not need to be cooked through at this point. Remove the chicken and set aside, leaving behind as much of the fat as possible.2 tablespoons butter or ghee, 1 pound chicken breast or thigh, 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- Add the chopped onion to the same pan and fry over medium heat until lightly browned but before they are fully caramelized. While the onions are frying, mix together the garlic, black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, chili powder, yogurt, almond flour, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and bloomed saffron threads in a mixing bowl.1 medium onion, 1 tablespoon garlic, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon crushed green cardamom pods, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 ½ teaspoon chili powder, ⅓ cup plain yogurt, ¼ cup almond flour or ground almonds, 1 ½ teaspoons fresh lemon juice, Salt, ½ teaspoon saffron threads
- Once the onions are ready, pour the sauce mixture into the pan and fry for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken pieces and fry for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add the water and bring the entire mixture to a simmer. Lower the heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes stirring occasionally until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through.⅔ cup water
- Once the chicken is cooked through, stir in the heavy cream. Garnish with fresh cilantro, serve with pulao or plain rice, and enjoy!⅓ cup heavy cream, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Nutrition Facts
Saffron Chicken
Amount per Serving
Calories
255.17
% Daily Value*
Fat
19.67
g
30
%
Saturated Fat
5.5
g
34
%
Cholesterol
71.83
mg
24
%
Potassium
125
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
2.83
g
1
%
Fiber
0.83
g
3
%
Sugar
0.83
g
1
%
Protein
16.17
g
32
%
Calcium
36.67
mg
4
%
Iron
0.17
mg
1
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.