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.

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.

What is the meaning of fesenjoon? ›

Fesenjān is an elaborate dish that is often reserved for special occasions. It is considered "a rich man's dish", which is referenced in the Persian expression "he behaves as if he has had partridge and fesenjān", meaning to show off or act pretentiously.

Is fesenjan healthy? ›

Laced with tangy-sweet pomegranate molasses and fragrant spices, this healthy and delicious Persian stew is traditionally prepared for festive occasions.

How do you reheat fesenjan? ›

To serve, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. 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.

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 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") ...

What is pomegranate molasses in farsi? ›

Pomegranate Molasses (Robb-é-Anār)

The most important pomegranate-based ingredient in Persian cookery, made from pomegranate juice, is robe-é-anār, known in the West as pomegranate molasses.

What does pomegranate mean in Iran? ›

Ancient Iranians believed that the pomegranate was a sign of fertility due to its abundant seeds. It is a high pillar of festivities on Yalda Night. Narratives say the presence of pomegranates symbolizes blessings for a new life. The number of seeds scattered indicates how many children a young woman may give birth to!

What is pomegranate called in English? ›

British English: pomegranate /ˈpɒmɪˌɡrænɪt/ NOUN. A pomegranate is a round fruit with a thick reddish skin. It contains lots of small seeds with juicy flesh around them. American English: pomegranate /ˈpɒmɪgrænɪt/

Who invented fesenjan? ›

Fesenjan is believed to have originated in Gilan province, a temperate green swath of land along the Caspian Sea in the north of Iran, where wild ducks are plentiful. Gilanis have a taste for tart, fruity flavors like those in this dish, which has been around in one form or another since the days of the Persian Empire.

What does eating pomegranate do to your body? ›

Eating pomegranates may protect heart health, support exercise performance and recovery, and promote brain function. Plus, pomegranates provide a source of essential nutrients, such as vitamin C and folate, as well as a number of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant compounds.

How many pomegranates can you eat in a day? ›

One serving is about half a pomegranate, which has about 23 grams of carbohydrate and 20 grams of sugar. This is a fairly high sugar content, so though it's safe to eat pomegranate every day, you may want to limit yourself to one serving a day to keep from taking in too much sugar.

What is the healthiest part of a pomegranate? ›

Many of the nutrients in pomegranates come from the arils, but the seeds themselves provide a few nutrients as well. Studies show they're particularly high in vitamin E and magnesium (2).

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. Cornflour is a great gluten-free thickener. It has a slightly more gelatinous texture, so only add a teaspoon at time or your sauce may become a bit goopy.

Is fesenjan gluten-free? ›

The traditional Iranian stew with chicken and the deep flavors of pomegranate molasses and walnuts, now made easy right in the crock-pot! Slow Cooker Fesenjan Chicken is a hearty gluten-free & paleo dinner recipe that will warm the belly and soul! This delicious Iranian dish has been a longtime coming!

References

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