Skip to content

Meat, Maghreb and Middle East

Havij polo with chicken, Persian carrot rice

Havij polo with chicken is a Persian dish that combines basmati rice, carrots candied with sugar and cinnamon, saffron, and braised chicken. For 4 people, it takes 75 minutes and a medium skill level, at about €3.10 per person. Success comes down to gently candying the carrots so they stay glossy, and to the final steaming that builds a golden crust under the rice.

Tonight, Persian rice with candied carrots, saffron, and cinnamon, golden like a jewel, with tender chicken.

Havij polo with chicken, Persian carrot rice
Total time
1 h 15
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€3.10
Calories per person
660 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter
The kids
They generally like it

Havij polo plays on a contrast that kids and adults both love. The saffron rice stays fragrant and light, while the candied carrot strips bring a sweet taste and a melting texture, lifted by a hint of cinnamon. The braised chicken, very tender, falls apart easily and mixes right into the rice.

This is a dish to plan for a Sunday or an evening when you have a bit of time, since steaming the rice takes patience. We love this dish for its quiet generosity, the kind you find at big family tables where everyone helps themselves freely, finished with toasted almonds for a crunchy last touch.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Chicken thighs 4

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onion 1
  • Carrots 400 g

Pantry

  • Sugaroften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Saffron 1 pinch
  • Cinnamonoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Basmati riceoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Sliced almonds 30 g
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Dairy

  • Butter 60 g

Allergens Lactose, Tree nuts

The step by step recipe

  1. Brown the chicken thighs with the chopped onion, cover with water and the saffron, and let simmer covered. 45 min

    The chicken should be very tender and the sauce well reduced.

  2. Cut the carrots into thin strips and cook them over low heat in the butter with the sugar and cinnamon. 15 min

    The carrots should stay glossy, not browned.

  3. Half cook the rice in salted water, then drain it. 6 min

    It should still be firm to the bite.

  4. In a pot, alternate layers of rice and carrots, drizzle with a little saffron water, cover with a kitchen towel and the lid, and let it steam. 30 min

    Cook over very low heat, you'll get a golden crust on the bottom.

  5. Serve the rice with the chicken and sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds.

    A few drops of lemon juice over the chicken add freshness to this sweet dish.

Our tips to get it right

  • Cut the carrots into thin, even strips, they candy faster and more evenly.
  • Dissolve the saffron in a little warm water before using it, it colors and flavors the rice better.
  • Don't lift the lid while the rice steams, the golden crust needs steady heat to form.

The variations

  • Swap the chicken thighs for boneless thigh fillets for a quicker cook.
  • For a vegetarian version, skip the chicken and serve the carrot rice with chickpeas simmered in saffron.
  • For kids in a hurry, skip the golden crust step and just serve the rice mixed with the carrots, it's faster to make.

What to serve it with

  • A cucumber and mint salad
  • Plain yogurt with a touch of lemon
  • Warm flatbread

Storage

Havij polo keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container, ideally with the chicken and rice stored separately. It freezes well, especially the chicken and its sauce. Reheat gently in a pan or microwave with a splash of water so the rice doesn't dry out.

Questions about this dish

Can you replace the saffron if you don't have any?

Saffron gives this dish its signature color and aroma, so it's hard to truly replace. You can use a bit of turmeric for color, but the flavor will be different.

Can you make havij polo ahead of time?

You can cook the chicken and candy the carrots the day before, then keep them in the fridge. Finish steaming the rice just before serving to keep that golden crust.

What type of rice works best for this dish?

Basmati rice is ideal since its grains stay long and separate well after steaming. Avoid round rice, which turns too sticky for this recipe.

How do you know when the carrots are candied enough?

They should turn soft and glossy, without browning or falling apart. Count on about 15 minutes over low heat, stirring regularly.

How long does it take to make a havij polo with chicken, the Persian rice with candied carrots?

Count 1 h 15 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.

How many calories are in a havij polo with chicken, the Persian rice with candied carrots?

About 660 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a havij polo with chicken, the Persian rice with candied carrots cost?

About €3.10 per serving, or €12.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose, tree nuts. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

Maghreb and Middle Eastern cuisine

See all

Recipes with carrots

See all