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Meat, Maghreb and Middle East

Zereshk polo with chicken

Zereshk polo with chicken is a Persian celebration dish for 4 people, ready in 1 hour 30 minutes at medium difficulty, around €3.40 per person. It pairs saffron basmati rice with tart barberries and pistachios, served alongside chicken braised in tomato sauce. The key to getting it right is tender chicken and berries sautéed just before serving so they keep their shine.

Tonight, a Persian celebration dish, zereshk polo, saffron rice dotted with tiny ruby berries and pistachios, with chicken simmered in tomato sauce.

Zereshk polo with chicken
Total time
1 h 30
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€3.40
Calories per person
550 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Winter
The kids
They generally like it

Zereshk polo plays on the contrast between fragrant saffron rice and tiny barberries that bring a tart snap to every bite. Pistachios add crunch, and the tomato braised chicken creates a sauce that coats the rice without drowning it. It is a dish that works as much for the eyes as for the fork, with that red and gold color combination.

This is the kind of dish to plan for a Sunday or a dinner with guests, since it takes some coordination between simmering the chicken and cooking the rice. Kids tend to like the sweet and tart berries along with the mild rice, especially if you go easier on the saffron for them. Mon Chou turns to this one for nights when you want something different from the usual rotation without spending the whole day in the kitchen.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Chicken thighs 8

Pantry

  • Basmati riceoften in the pantry 320 g
  • Barberries or dried cranberries 50 g
  • Unsalted pistachios 40 g
  • Saffron 1 pinch
  • Sugaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp
  • Crushed tomatoesoften in the pantry 200 g
  • Tomato pasteoften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Dairy

  • Butter 40 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onion 2

Allergens Lactose, Tree nuts

The step by step recipe

  1. Brown the chicken with the sliced onions and turmeric, then add the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and half a glass of water.

    Sear the skin well before adding the liquid.

  2. Cover and let simmer over low heat until the chicken is very tender. 45 min

    There should be enough sauce left to coat the rice without drowning it.

  3. Rinse the berries in cold water, then sauté them for 1 minute in a knob of butter with the sugar. 2 min

    If using cranberries, add a little lemon juice to bring back that tartness.

  4. Cook the basmati rice in boiling salted water, drain it, then mix it with half the infused saffron and the melted butter. 15 min

    Save some plain white rice for the top, the color contrast looks great.

  5. Mound the rice into a dome, scatter with berries and crushed pistachios, and serve with the chicken.

    Add the berries last, otherwise they will stain the whole mound of rice.

Our tips to get it right

  • Steep the saffron in a little hot water for at least 10 minutes before using it, so it releases its full color and aroma into the rice.
  • Don't oversalt the rice cooking water, the tomato sauce and butter already season the dish plenty.
  • Make the braised chicken ahead of time, it only gets better reheated, leaving you just the rice and berries to handle at the last minute.

The variations

  • If you can't find barberries, dried cranberries with a splash of lemon juice give a similarly tart result.
  • For a vegetarian version, swap the chicken for roasted eggplant or squash chunks simmered briefly in the same tomato sauce.
  • For a quicker, kid friendly version, use boneless thighs which cook faster, and cut the saffron in half for a milder flavor.

What to serve it with

  • Plain yogurt with a squeeze of lemon
  • Cucumber and mint salad
  • Flatbread or pita

Storage

The chicken and rice keep for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container, ideally stored separately. The dish freezes well, especially the braised chicken, but it's best to add fresh berries and pistachios after reheating. Reheat gently in a pan or microwave with a splash of water so the rice doesn't dry out.

Questions about this dish

Can barberries be replaced with something else?

Yes, dried cranberries are the most common substitute, with a splash of lemon juice to bring back the original berry's tartness. The flavor won't be identical but it comes very close.

How do you keep the berries from staining the whole dish?

Always add the sautéed berries at the very last moment, on top of the mounded rice. Mixing them in too early lets their red color bleed through the whole dish.

Can this dish be made ahead for guests?

The braised chicken can be made a day ahead and reheats well. It's best to cook the rice and prepare the berries the same day to keep their texture.

Is saffron essential to this recipe?

Saffron gives the rice its signature color and aroma, it's the ingredient that defines this dish. A small pinch steeped in hot water is plenty, there's no need to use a lot.

How long does it take to make a zereshk polo with chicken?

Count 1 h 30 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.

How many calories are in a zereshk polo with chicken?

About 550 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 zereshk polo with chicken cost?

About €3.40 per serving, or €13.60 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.

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