Persian Grilled Chicken Recipes

PERSIAN GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 teaspoon saffron and water in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in yogurt, onion, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
• If using any chicken breasts, cut into 2 equal portions. Add chicken to the marinade and turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours or up to 24 hours, turning the chicken a couple times, if possible.
• When ready to cook, build a medium-hot, multi-zone fire (see Tips) or preheat one section of a gas grill to medium.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and drain well. (Discard the marinade.)
• Oil the grill rack. Grill the chicken, turning once or twice, until browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part without touching bone registers 165 degrees F, 16 to 24 minutes total. Move the chicken to a cooler spot, as needed, to dodge any flare-ups.
• Meanwhile, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Crumble the remaining 1/4 teaspoon saffron into the pan and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Transfer the chicken to a platter and drizzle with the saffron butter. Garnish with cilantro (or dill), if desired.

PERUVIAN GRILLED CHICKEN (POLLO A LA BRASA)

Steps:

• Marinate chicken:
• Blend soy sauce, lime juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and oil in a blender.
• Put chicken in a large sealable bag and add marinade. Seal bag and marinate, chilled, 8 to 24 hours.
• Grill chicken:
• If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom and lid of grill. Light a large chimney starter full of charcoal (preferably hardwood). When coals are lit, dump them out along opposite sides of bottom rack, leaving a space free of coals (the size of the quartered chicken) in middle. When you can hold your hand 5 inches above the grill rack directly over coals for 3 to 4 seconds, coals will be medium-hot.
• If using a gas grill, preheat all burners on high, then reduce heat to medium-high.
• Discard marinade, then pat chicken dry. Oil grill rack, then grill chicken over area with no coals (or over a turned-off burner), skin side down first, covered, turning over once, until cooked through, 30 to 35 minutes (add charcoal to maintain heat).

JUJEH KABOB (PERSIAN CHICKEN KABOBS)

Steps:

• Combine onion, lime juice, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and saffron in a large glass bowl. Mix in olive oil. Press chicken into the bowl lightly and cover with plastic wrap. Let marinate for 6 hours to overnight, mixing every few hours to make sure chicken is coated.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove chicken from the bowl, shake off excess marinade, and discard marinade left in the bowl. Place chicken onto metal skewers, making sure it's not too tightly packed.
• Cook skewers on the preheated grill until chicken is browned and no longer pink in the center, turning as needed, 10 to 15 minutes total.

GRILLED PERSIAN CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Juice lemon; combine juice with oil, cinnamon, salt, pepper and turmeric in large heavy-duty resealable plastic food storage bag.
• Gently kneed ingredients in bag to mix thoroughly; add chicken.
• Seal bag and turn to coat thoroughly.
• Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
• Remove chicken from marinade and gently shake to remove excess.
• Discard remaining marinade.
• Grill chicken 5 to 7 minutes per side or until chicken is no longer pink in center.

JOOJEH KABOB (PERSIAN STYLE GRILLED CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients in a bowl and let chicken sit in marinade for up to one day before grilling, preferably on a charcoal grill.
• Grill until juices from chicken run clear when chicken is pierced with knife.

PERSIAN CHICKEN WITH TURMERIC AND LIME

Steps:

• Mix chicken, onion, turmeric, chopped garlic, lime juice, 1 Tbsp. oil, 2 tsp. cumin, 1 tsp. salt, and 3/4 tsp. pepper in a medium bowl.
• Heat 1 Tbsp. oil over medium in a heavy medium saucepan. Add rice and smashed garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until lightly toasted and fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Stir in cardamom, cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. salt, and remaining 1/4 tsp. cumin and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Add 1 3/4 cups water and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and gently simmer, covered, until water is evaporated and rice is cooked, 18-20 minutes. Remove from heat. Let sit, covered, until ready to serve.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil over medium-high in a large skillet until very hot but not smoking. Add chicken mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through, 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in yogurt, if using, then adjust seasoning to taste. Cover to keep warm.
• Gently toss cucumber, herbs, and remaining 1/4 tsp. salt in a small bowl.
• Fluff rice with a fork and divide among bowls. Spoon chicken over. Top with cucumber salad, pistachios, and sumac, if using. Generously squeeze lime wedges over.