
5.0 from 6 votes
Grilled Saffron Chicken
Saffron Chicken is made with common Persian seasonings in a flavorful yogurt marinade. Grill it up in no time, and enjoy with rice or bread.
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Marinate Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr 7 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 310 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Persian
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breast
- 1/4 tsp saffron ground
- 1 cup PLAIN yogurt
- 1 medium yellow onion grated
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp parsley chopped
- 1 tsp sumac
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Grind the saffron threads in the palm of your hand, or in a mortar and pestle (preferred). Mix with 2 tablespoons of warm water in a large bowl. Let sit and allow saffron to bloom and draw out as much color as possible. It should be a deep ruby red. Set aside (I keep mine in the mortar).
- Over a bowl, grate the onion completely. This will get juicy! When complete, gather grated onion in hands and squeeze excess water out or let drain in colander. Place in another mixing bowl and discard onion water.
- Add the yogurt, garlic, parsley, sumac, bloomed saffron, salt and pepper to the grated onion. Mix thoroughly to incorporate completely. Toss with the chicken to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate 45 minutes (See Note 1).
- Preheat your grill to 350°F. Clean grill and coat with cooking spray. Shake excess marinade from chicken. Discard marinade.
- Here are approximate cooking times for chicken grilled at 350°F. Internal temp needed is 165°F.
- Boneless thighs: Grill for 4 minutes per side, then check the internal temp.Bone-in thighs: Grill for 6 minutes per side, then check the internal temp.Boneless breasts: Grill for 5 minutes per side, then check the internal temp.Bone-in breasts: Grill for 7 minutes per side, then check the internal temp.Boneless breast, cubed/skewers: Grill for 4 minutes per side, then check the internal temp.
- Serve with steamed rice and/or humuus, vegetables or salad of choice.
Cup of Yum
Bake it!
- Set the oven to 450°F and bake these for 15-18 minutes, or until internal temp reaches 165°F. Time depends on thickness of chicken pieces.
Notes
- Chicken should marinate for at least 45 minutes, but I recommend overnight but no longer than 24 hours. Unlike beef, poultry doesn't have any tough connective tissue that needs to be tenderized. It starts to break down and the texture gets mushy. While it’s OK to marinate overnight, longer than 24 hours would be far too long.
- Chicken should marinate for at least 45 minutes, but I recommend overnight but no longer than 24 hours. Unlike beef, poultry doesn't have any tough connective tissue that needs to be tenderized. It starts to break down and the texture gets mushy. While it’s OK to marinate overnight, longer than 24 hours would be far too long.
Nutrition Information
Calories
310kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
6g
(2%)
Protein
51g
(102%)
Fat
8g
(12%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
153mg
(51%)
Sodium
583mg
(24%)
Potassium
984mg
(28%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
133IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
6mg
(7%)
Calcium
96mg
(10%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 310
% Daily Value*
Calories | 310kcal | 16% |
Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
Protein | 51g | 102% |
Fat | 8g | 12% |
Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
Cholesterol | 153mg | 51% |
Sodium | 583mg | 24% |
Potassium | 984mg | 21% |
Fiber | 1g | 4% |
Sugar | 4g | 8% |
Vitamin A | 133IU | 3% |
Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
Calcium | 96mg | 10% |
Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.