Saffron Chili Chicken Recipes

CHICKEN-THIGH KEBABS WITH TURMERIC, CHILE AND SAFFRON

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a nonreactive dish (or a resealable plastic bag), and marinate in the refrigerator between 3 hours and overnight.
• Once the chicken has marinated, discard the onions (or grill them on the side in a grill basket, or sauté on the stovetop, if you like), and thread the chicken onto skewers. Heat a charcoal or gas grill; the flame should be fairly low and the rack about 6 inches from the heat.
• Grill the chicken slowly, turning as necessary and basting with any leftover marinade, until it's browned all over, 15 to 20 minutes.

SAFFRON CHICKEN

Steps:

• Toast the saffron strands in a dry pan over a medium heat for about 1 minute taking care not to burn them.
• Cool, and then crush them with the back of a spoon.
• Dissolve them in 1 tablespoon of very hot water.
• Heat the ghee (or whatever you use), and gently fry the onion, garlic, ginger and chillis until the onion is soft and golden.
• Add garlic.
• Add the dissolved saffron to the pan with the cardomon, then add the chicken.
• Turn the chicken pieces in the mix, coating well.
• Add the salt, cover and cook for 25 minutes until the chicken is tender.
• Uncover the pan and continue cooking, turning often until the liquid is almost gone.

SAFFRON CHILI CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 175ºC.
• Heat the oil in a fry pan and lightly brown chicken pieces. Place into a small casserole dish.
• Cut capsicum and onion into large pieces, cook in fry pan for 2-3 minutes with thyme, chilli and garlic .
• Add and saffron, stock and sugar, bring to the boil and pour over chicken. Sprinkle with cherry tomatoes and zest of lemon. Cover with lid or foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake a further 15 minutes.
• Sprinkle with the chopped parsley before serving over cooked pasta of your choice.

PERSIAN SAFFRON-BRAISED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Place saffron threads into a small bowl and crush them up a bit with a spoon. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of hot water and stir. Let bloom for about 10 minutes - the water should turn bright yellow/orange. Set aside.
• Season chicken thighs on both sides with about 1 teaspoon salt and freshly cracked pepper.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs and sear on both sides until golden, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove and place on a plate to the side. Add onion to the same skillet and cook until soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and curry powder and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Pour in chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and add saffron mixture. Season with remaining 1 teaspoon salt and freshly cracked pepper. Stir to combine. Return chicken thighs to the skillet, cover, and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, flipping thighs halfway through cook time. Season to taste and serve with the sauce.