One-pot chicken and rice with saffron and dill

One-pot chicken and rice with saffron and dill

Aromatic saffron, verdant dill and sweet pops of pomegranate bring plenty of life to this simple one-pot chicken dinner.

One-pot chicken and rice with saffron and dill

Discover more delicious one-pot recipes (and cut down on the washing up!).

  • Serves icon Serves 4
  • Time icon Hands-on time 25 min. Simmering time 20 min, plus 10 min resting

Aromatic saffron, verdant dill and sweet pops of pomegranate bring plenty of life to this simple one-pot chicken dinner.

Discover more delicious one-pot recipes (and cut down on the washing up!).

Nutrition: Per serving

Calories
886kcals
Fat
48g (15g saturated)
Protein
48g
Carbohydrates
65g (6g sugars)
Fibre
3.1g
Salt
1.2g

Ingredients

  • 300g basmati rice
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1kg free-range chicken thighs and drumsticks
  • 1 large onion, finely sliced
  • Pinch saffron threads
  • 700ml chicken stock, hot
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely sliced
  • Finely grated zest and juice 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp shelled pistachios, toasted in a dry frying pan
  • 20g dill
  • 4 tbsp pomegranate seeds
Sticky screen? No thanks! Tap to prevent your screen from going off while cooking.

Method

  1. Put the rice in a bowl, cover with cold water, swish it around, then drain. Repeat this a few times until the water runs clear, then cover again with water and set aside to soak.
  2. In a large pan or casserole (one with a lid), heat the oil over a medium-high heat and add the chicken skin-side down in a single layer (work in batches if you need to). Cook for about 8 minutes until the skin is really crisp and golden. Turn over and cook for 2 more minutes, then lift the pieces onto a plate.
  3. Add the onion to the pan and cook over a medium heat for 8 minutes. Meanwhile, put the saffron in the hot stock to infuse. Stir the garlic into the onion and cook for another minute. Drain the rice and add to the pan. Stir for a minute, then add the saffron stock, a good pinch of salt, the lemon zest and juice, pistachios and most of the dill and pomegranate seeds. Stir together well, then top with the chicken and cover with a tight-fitting lid.
  4. Return to the boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low to simmer gently for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat without removing the lid, then leave for 10 minutes to finish steaming. Scatter the remaining pomegranate seeds and dill over to serve.

Nutrition

Nutrition: per serving
Calories
886kcals
Fat
48g (15g saturated)
Protein
48g
Carbohydrates
65g (6g sugars)
Fibre
3.1g
Salt
1.2g

Buy ingredients online

Recipe By:

Emily Gussin
Food producer and sustainability lead, delicious.

Subscribe

Fancy getting a copy in print?

Subscribe to our magazine

Rate & review

Rate

Reviews

Share a tip

Or, how about...?

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe

Favourite chicken recipes

Spatchcock saffron chicken (joojeh kabab)

If you’re looking for a new and interesting way to...

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe

Pilaf recipes

Pot-roast chicken with pilaf rice, broad beans and lemon

Need a summery Sunday lunch? Richard Bainbridge’s chicken pot-roast is...

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe

Roast chicken recipes

Pressure cooker pot-roast chicken with freekeh and greens

Cook pot-roast chicken in a pressure cooker in next to...

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe

Chicken thigh recipes

Chicken provençal with sticky garlic potatoes

This simple chicken provençal recipe hails from the south of...

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe

30-minute meal recipes

Saucy romesco chicken with sautéed potatoes

Bring some sunshine to your weeknight chicken dinner with this...

Save recipe icon Save recipe icon Save recipe

Comfort food recipes

Julius Roberts’ epic roast chicken

You can’t beat a good roast chicken, and this version...

Subscribe to our magazine

Food stories, skills and tested recipes, straight to your door... Enjoy 5 issues for just £5 with our special introductory offer.

Subscribe

Unleash your inner chef

Looking for inspiration? Receive the latest recipes with our newsletter

We treat your data with care. See our privacy policy. By signing up, you are agreeing to delicious.’ terms and conditions. Unsubscribe at any time.