Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (2024)

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Fesenjan is a Persian chicken stew made with chicken breasts or thighs that are slowly cooked with ground toasted walnuts and pomegranate molasses.

By

Elise Bauer

Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (1)

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated September 29, 2023

Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (2)

37 ratings

Here is a stew made for fall! This chicken stew with walnut and pomegranate sauce recipe is a classic preparation in Persian cooking: Fesenjan.

Chicken pieces are first browned and then slowly cooked in a sauce with ground toasted walnuts and pomegranate molasses. You might not normally think to make a sauce with walnuts and pomegranates, but it's a perfect combination!

Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (3)

The toasted walnuts are rich and warm and the pomegranate molasses sharp and berry toned. Cooked slowly with the chicken, the sauce is spectacular. Bowl-licking good.

The only ingredient that might be a little hard to find at your local grocery store is the pomegranate molasses. You can make your own with pomegranate juice (see our recipe for pomegranate molasses), or look for it at Whole Foods or a store that carries Middle Eastern ingredients.

Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (4)

Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken)

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time2 hrs

Total Time2 hrs 10 mins

Servings6to 8 servings

Make your own pomegranate molasses by simmering 1 cup of pomegranate juiceuntil it reduces to 5 tablespoons of syrup.

Ingredients

  • 1 to 2 large yellow onions, chopped, (3 cups)

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 5 tablespoonspomegranate molasses

  • 8 ounces walnut halves (about 2 cups)

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs and/or breasts, trimmed of excess fat, cut into medium size pieces, patted dry and salted

  • 2 cups chicken stock

  • 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons of sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric

  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • Salt

  • 1/2 cup fresh pomegranate arilsfor garnish, optional

Method

  1. Toast and grind the walnuts:

    You can toast the walnuts in one of two ways. You can either spread them out in a single layer in a large skillet, and toast them on medium high heat, stirring frequently until lightly toasted, OR you can spread them out in a single layer in a baking rimmed baking sheet, and toast at 350°F in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

    In either case, once toasted, remove from heat and allow to cool. Once cool enough to handle, pulse in a food processor or blender until finely ground.

    Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (5)

  2. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides:

    In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 2 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.

    When the butter has melted, pat the chicken pieces dry again and place the chicken pieces in the pan, working in batches if necessary to not crowd the pan, and cook until golden brown on all sides. Sprinkle the chicken with salt while they are cooking.

    Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (6)

  3. Sauté the onions:

    Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the chicken from the pan, set aside. Add a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of oil to the pan. Lower the heat to medium low. Add chopped onions to the pan and sauté until translucent, stirring on occasion to release the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

    Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (7)

  4. Add chicken and stock:

    Return the chicken pieces to the pan with the onions. Pour 2 cups of chicken stock over the chicken and onions. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and simmer gently for 30 minutes.

    Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (8)

  5. Add ground walnuts, pomegranate molasses, sugar, spices, cover and cook:

    Stir in the ground walnuts, pomegranate molasses, sugar, and spices. Cover and cook on very low heat for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes or so to prevent the walnuts from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

    Remove from heat and adjust sugar/salt to taste. At this point the chicken should be fall apart tender.

    Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (9)

    Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (10)

  6. Serve:

    Garnish with pomegranate seeds. Serve over parsi pulao or other favorite rice.

Links:

Slow cooker pomegranate chicken salad from Lydia of The Perfect Pantry

Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (11)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
568Calories
37g Fat
31g Carbs
34g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6to 8
Amount per serving
Calories568
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 37g47%
Saturated Fat 7g36%
Cholesterol 148mg49%
Sodium 375mg16%
Total Carbohydrate 31g11%
Dietary Fiber 4g14%
Total Sugars 23g
Protein 34g
Vitamin C 10mg48%
Calcium 59mg5%
Iron 2mg14%
Potassium 737mg16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to thicken fesenjoon? ›

If fesenjoon is too watery and not of a thick consistency leave the cover a little ajar, to let the steam and moisture out and simmer more until it thickens. Fesenjoon should not be watery.

What is fesenjan made of? ›

Fesenjan or fesenjoon is a traditional Persian stew made with chicken simmered in a pomegranate molasses and walnut sauce. The combination of earthy walnuts, slightly sour pomegranate molasses and tender, juicy chicken create an unparalleled balance of flavors in this special occasion dish.

Where did the fesenjan come from? ›

Fesenjān (Persian: فسنجان; also called fesenjoon in Tehrani dialect) is a sweet and sour Iranian stew (a khoresh) from Northern Iran. It is typically served over rice in the Iranian manner. Like other khoresh stews served over rice, fesenjan is common also to Iraqi cuisine.

How do you reheat fesenjan? ›

To reheat fesenjan, place it in in a small pot and turn the heat on to medium low. Stir occasionally so it doesn't stick to the pot. It takes about 20 minutes to reheat completely.

What is traditional Persian food? ›

Major staples of Iranian food that are usually eaten with every meal include rice, various herbs, cheese, a variety of flat breads, and some type of meat (usually poultry, beef, lamb, or fish). Stew over rice is by far the most popular dish, and the constitution of these vary by region.

How many calories are in fesenjoon? ›

FESENJAN NUTRITIONAL VALUES & CALORIES

Fesenjan is a traditional Iranian dish. Fesenjan is high in manganese. 3.5 ounces (102 grams) of fesenjan has 338 calories.

What is the Persian name for pomegranate? ›

Iran. In Persian, pomegranate is known as anar.

What is a substitute for pomegranate molasses? ›

A mixture of honey or maple syrup with some lemon juice can be a great replacement for pomegranate molasses in many recipes where you don't really need that pop of bright red color, and are mainly concerned about getting the flavor right. You can also use lemon juice and sugar if you don't have maple syrup or honey.

What is the Arabic name for pomegranate molasses? ›

Pomegranate molasses, also known as Dibs Ar-rumman (Arabic: دِبْس الرُّمَّان), rakkaz rimonim (Hebrew: רכז רימונים), robb-e anâr (Persian: رب انار), melása rodioú (Greek: μελάσα ροδιού, "pomegranate syrup"), nar ekshisi (Turkish: nar ekşisi, "pomegranate sour"), and narsharab (Azerbaijani: narşərab, "pomegranate wine") ...

Why do Persians love pomegranate? ›

The pomegranate fruit is assumed to have originated in Iran and Afghanistan. The fruit was used as a holy symbol and respected in zoroastrian worshipping ceremonies and rituals. The pomegranate symbolized the soul's immortality and the perfection of nature for Zoroastrians.

What do Persians put on pomegranate? ›

Traditionally, in old-timey Iran, people would sprinkle golpar (ground angelica powder) over anâr seeds.

What fruit is native to Iran? ›

Iran produces Persian walnut, melon, tangerine, citrus fruits, Kiwifruit, dates, cherries, pomegranates, peach, oranges, raisins, saffron, grapes , Apricot , Pitted Prune and watermelon.

What do you drink with fesenjān? ›

A Beaujolais, a French wine made from Gamay grapes, would be a good match for Fesenjan. This wine is known for its light body and high acidity, which can help balance the richness of the stew.

Can you heat up pomegranate? ›

Add the juice from at least two (preferably more) pomegranates to a wide based pan and a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Simmer gently - low heat. Stop when the juice has thickened and coats the back of a spoon.

Can you reheat Persian rice? ›

You can even leave it on the serving plate if you have room in your fridge and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap, so it stays together. When reheating, I recommend reheating in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, crispy side down if possible, until warmed through and the exterior is crispy once again.

How do you thicken tagine sauce? ›

Mix the cornflour with the rosewater and 3 tbsp cold water, then stir into the tagine. Cook over a medium heat for 1-2 mins or until the sauce thickens. (Thickening the sauce with cornflour isn't traditional but helps the tagine to freeze more successfully.)

How do you thicken pottage? ›

Mix one teaspoon cornflour with a tablespoon of room temperature water and add to your stew. Then bring to the boil and cook until desired thickness is reached.

References

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