Persian
Fesenjan
Persian chicken braised in a dark walnut and pomegranate sauce balanced between tart and sweet.
6 servings · 25 minutes prep · 150 minutes cook
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 3 cups raw walnut halves
- 4 cups cold water, divided
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 pounds bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt, divided
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 cup unsweetened Persian pomegranate molasses, plus more to taste
- 1 to 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Prepare the Walnut Sauce
- Heat the oven to 325°F. Toast the walnuts at 325°F for 8 to 10 minutes, just until the nuts deepen slightly in color and smell toasted, with no bitter or scorched aroma; cool completely. Grind in a food processor to a fine, damp meal without turning them into butter.
- Combine the walnuts with 3 cups cold water in a heavy pot. Bring to a bare simmer and cook uncovered over low heat for 60 minutes, stirring and scraping often. Add 1/4 cup of the remaining cold water every 15 minutes to shock the walnuts and encourage their oil to release.
Brown the Chicken and Simmer
- Meanwhile, heat the avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high. Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon salt and brown for 8 to 10 minutes; transfer to a plate. Reduce the heat, add the onion, and cook for 10 minutes until golden. Stir in the turmeric for 30 seconds.
- Add the onion, pomegranate molasses, 1 tablespoon sugar, remaining salt, and pepper to the walnut sauce. Return the chicken, cover partially, and simmer very gently for 60 to 75 minutes, turning once, until the thighs reach at least {{temperature:175°F}} and are tender and the sauce is mahogany, glossy, and thick enough to coat a spoon.
Balance and Rest
- Add more pomegranate molasses or sugar a little at a time until the sauce is distinctly tart and gently sweet, with neither side dominating. Rest for 10 minutes and skim only any excess oil beyond the characteristic walnut sheen.
