BRAISED CHICKEN AND RICE WITH ORANGE, SAFFRON, ALMOND, AND PISTACHIO SYRUP
Here is a jewel of an Afghani dish. It is one I cook regularly, sometimes with shoulder of lamb instead of chicken thighs. I serve it with slow-cooked spinach, finished with leeks and a minuscule amount of rhubarb. This may sound strange, but the rhubarb is sweetened by the leeks and it really does work.
Provided by Tamasin Day-Lewis
Categories Chicken Citrus Fruit Nut Poultry Dinner Casserole/Gratin Orange Tree Nut Almond Pistachio Spice Saffron Potluck Advance Prep Required Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Rinse the rice in a sieve under cold running water until the water runs clear; put to one side.
- Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot and throw in the onions. Cook over medium heat until they soften and turn golden. Season the chicken thighs and add them to the pan. Brown on all sides, then pour in 2 1/2 cups water and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid and cook until the chicken is tender, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, peel the zest from the orange with a potato peeler, then cut it into matchstick strips. Blanch in a small pan of boiling water for a couple of minutes, then drain.
- Dissolve the sugar in 1/2 cup (scant) water in a small, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat, then bring to a boil and let bubble to reduce and thicken for 5 to 10 minutes until syrupy. Add the orange zest, slivered almonds, and pistachios and boil for 5 minutes, skimming off any froth. Strain the syrup and return to the pan; set aside the orange zest and nuts. Add the saffron and rose water to the syrup and boil again for 3 minutes, then add the cardamom seeds.
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Strain the stock from the chicken thighs and add the syrup to it. Make this up to 3 cups with more water. Bring it to a boil in an ovenproof casserole and add the rice. Season and add two-thirds of the orange zest and nuts, keeping the rest to one side. Bring back to a boil, then cover and simmer until the rice is cooked. The liquid should have all been absorbed by now.
- Bury the chicken and onions in the rice and add the fava beans and peas, if you are including them. Put the lid on and cook in the oven for 20 minutes.
- Serve straight from the pan or, if you prefer, in a large, warmed serving dish. Sprinkle the last third of the orange zest and nuts over the top before bringing it to the table.
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Sodiq opeyemi Ayomide
[email protected]I made this dish for a dinner party and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved the tender chicken and flavorful rice. The syrup was the perfect finishing touch. I will definitely be making this dish again.
Jenna griffin
[email protected]This dish was easy to make and the results were delicious! The chicken was fall-off-the-bone tender and the rice was perfectly cooked. The syrup was the perfect finishing touch, adding a sweet and tangy flavor. I will definitely be making this dish a
PATY FAME
[email protected]I followed the recipe exactly and the dish turned out perfectly. The chicken was tender and juicy, and the rice was cooked to perfection. The syrup was flavorful and added a nice touch of sweetness. I would definitely make this dish again.
Ahmad Altrsh
[email protected]This dish was a disappointment. The chicken was dry and the rice was undercooked. The syrup was too sweet and overpowering. I would not recommend this recipe.
Tiktok 01
[email protected]I wasn't sure about this recipe at first, but I'm glad I gave it a try. The chicken was delicious and the rice was cooked perfectly. The syrup was a bit too sweet for my taste, but overall I enjoyed this dish.
Tumane Mokoena
[email protected]This dish was a bit time-consuming to make, but it was worth it. The chicken was fall-off-the-bone tender and the rice was perfectly cooked. The syrup was flavorful and added a nice touch of sweetness. I would recommend this recipe for a special occa
Joseph John
[email protected]I'm not a big fan of chicken, but this dish was amazing! The chicken was so tender and flavorful, and the rice was cooked perfectly. The syrup was the perfect finishing touch. I will definitely be making this dish again.
Ahmad Afroze
[email protected]This recipe is a keeper! The chicken was so tender and juicy, and the rice was cooked to perfection. The syrup was flavorful and added a nice touch of sweetness. I would definitely make this dish again.
Pervez ali
[email protected]I made this dish for a dinner party and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved the tender chicken and flavorful rice. The syrup was the perfect finishing touch. I will definitely be making this dish again.
Daimond Daimond
[email protected]This dish was easy to make and the results were delicious! The chicken was fall-off-the-bone tender and the rice was perfectly cooked. The syrup was the perfect finishing touch, adding a sweet and tangy flavor. I will definitely be making this dish a
DARREN MAXWELL
[email protected]I followed the recipe exactly and the dish turned out perfectly. The chicken was tender and juicy, and the rice was cooked to perfection. The syrup was flavorful and added a nice touch of sweetness. I would definitely make this dish again.
Mohammad Mohsin
[email protected]This dish was a disappointment. The chicken was dry and the rice was undercooked. The syrup was too sweet and overpowering. I would not recommend this recipe.
Foxanda
[email protected]I wasn't sure about this recipe at first, but I'm glad I gave it a try. The chicken was delicious and the rice was cooked perfectly. The syrup was a bit too sweet for my taste, but overall I enjoyed this dish.
SUNNY SHAN
[email protected]This dish was a bit time-consuming to make, but it was worth it. The chicken was incredibly tender and the rice was cooked to perfection. The syrup was flavorful and added a nice touch of sweetness. I would recommend this recipe for a special occasio
Hsuh Hdhdhudg
[email protected]I'm not a huge fan of chicken, but this dish changed my mind. The chicken was so tender and flavorful, and the rice was perfectly cooked. The syrup was the perfect finishing touch. I will definitely be making this again!
Sonette Klaasen
[email protected]This recipe was easy to follow and the results were amazing! The chicken was fall-off-the-bone tender and the rice was cooked to perfection. The syrup was flavorful and added a nice touch of sweetness. I will definitely be making this dish again.
Muhoro Solomon
[email protected]I made this dish last night and it was a hit with my family! The chicken was juicy and the rice was fluffy. The syrup was the perfect finishing touch, adding a sweet and tangy flavor. I would highly recommend this recipe.
Real Magnet
[email protected]This dish was absolutely delicious! The chicken was so tender and flavorful, and the rice was cooked perfectly. The orange saffron almond and pistachio syrup added a unique and delightful flavor that really made the dish special. I will definitely be