Budget Fesenjan Chicken Thighs (Printer View)

Tender chicken thighs cooked with walnuts and pomegranate molasses for rich, tangy-sweet flavors.

# What You'll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 6 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (approx. 28 oz)

→ Nuts

02 - 1 1/2 cups walnut halves or pieces (approx. 5.3 oz)

→ Produce

03 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

→ Liquids

05 - 3 cups water or unsalted chicken broth (24 fl oz)

→ Condiments

06 - 1/2 cup pomegranate molasses (approx. 3.4 fl oz)

→ Pantry

07 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

→ Spices

08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
10 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus additional to taste

→ Sweetener

12 - 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar, optional

# Method Steps:

01 - Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes until fragrant. Allow to cool, then grind finely in a food processor until the texture resembles coarse sand.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until soft and golden, about 8 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
03 - Stir in ground turmeric and cinnamon, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add chicken thighs to the pot. Season with salt and black pepper, then brown lightly on both sides for approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
05 - Sprinkle the ground walnuts into the pot. Pour in water or unsalted chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Stir in pomegranate molasses and sugar if using. Continue simmering uncovered for an additional 30 to 40 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and the chicken becomes very tender. Adjust salt and sugar to taste.
07 - Serve hot, ideally over steamed basmati rice.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Rich and tangy-sweet flavor
  • Budget-friendly and hearty
02 -
  • Contains tree nuts walnuts
  • Adjust sugar and pomegranate molasses to balance tartness and sweetness
03 -
  • Add a pinch of ground cardamom for extra flavor
  • Use boneless thighs for quicker cooking if preferred
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