Fesenjan (Chicken in Pomegranate and Walnut Sauce)

Name: Fesenjan (Chicken in Pomegranate and Walnut Sauce)
Prep time: 11 min
Cook time: 345 min
Total time: 356 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 2 cups walnuts; 3–4 cups cold water; 1½–2 lbs chicken thighs or breasts; 1 onion; 1 turmeric; 1 salt; 1 black pepper; ½–¾ cup pomegranate molasses; 1–2 tbsp sugar; 1 pomegranate seeds

Recipe by Casey Coulter (@caseycooks_sd) on Instagram · View original post

3.5/10 · PopularityBased on the original Instagram post’s likes and comments.

A classic Persian fesenjan: chicken simmered in a rich, dark pomegranate and walnut sauce, served with rice.

Health score 5.5/10
356 min
Prep 11 min
Serves 6
Medium
662 kcal

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Ingredients

walnutsfinely ground; extra for serving2 cups
chicken thighs or breaststhighs or breasts1½–2 lbs
oniondiced1
pomegranate molassesto taste½–¾ cup
pomegranate seedsfor serving1

To serve with (optional)

Persian rice (to serve)about 90 g per personabout 540 g

You probably have these

cold water3–4 cups
turmericfor seasoning the chicken1
salt1
black pepper1
sugarto taste1–2 tbsp

Method

Grind the walnuts very finely in a food processor.
Add the ground walnuts to a dry pan and toast over low heat for 7–10 minutes, stirring often so they don't burn.
Add the cold water and bring to a gentle simmer.
Cover and let the walnuts cook low and slow.
Add a few ice cubes along the way if it needs more water; the cold temperature helps the walnuts release their oil.
Continue simmering until the sauce begins to darken and thicken; this part takes about 3 hours, so don't rush it.
Meanwhile, season the chicken with turmeric, salt and black pepper.
Sear the chicken on each side.
Add the diced onion.
Add water.
Simmer until the chicken is tender, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Add the pomegranate molasses and sugar to the walnut sauce, adjusting both to your sweet and tart preference.
Transfer the chicken into the sauce and simmer together for another 30–45 minutes, until the chicken is very tender and the fesenjan is thick, dark and glossy.
Top with pomegranate seeds and walnuts and serve with rice.

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