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Flavorful Persian Joojeh Kabab Recipe Easy Saffron-Marinated Chicken

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This Persian Joojeh Kabab features juicy, tender chicken marinated in a fragrant saffron, yogurt, and lemon juice blend, grilled to perfection for a delicious and authentic Persian dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
  • 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads, ground and steeped in 2 tablespoons hot water
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, full-fat preferred
  • Juice of 1 large lemon
  • 1 medium onion, grated or finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Optional fresh herbs: chopped parsley or cilantro for garnish

Instructions

  1. Place 1/2 teaspoon ground saffron in a small bowl. Pour 2 tablespoons of hot (not boiling) water over it and let steep for 10 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl, combine Greek yogurt, lemon juice, grated onion, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, black pepper, turmeric, cumin, and saffron water. Whisk until smooth and fragrant.
  3. Add chicken pieces to the marinade, toss well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight. Minimum 30 minutes if short on time.
  4. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes. Thread marinated chicken onto skewers, leaving space between pieces.
  5. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 200°C).
  6. Grill skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning carefully, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and has grill marks.
  7. Remove skewers and let chicken rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro if desired and serve hot.

Notes

Marinate chicken overnight for best flavor and tenderness. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). Let chicken rest after grilling to lock in juices. If chicken sticks to grill, wait until it sears properly before flipping. Keep a spray bottle of water nearby to control flare-ups when grilling outdoors. For dairy-free version, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt.

Nutrition

Keywords: Persian Joojeh Kabab, saffron chicken, grilled chicken, Persian recipe, saffron marinade, easy kabab, yogurt marinated chicken

Find it online: https://flurpchef.com/flavorful-persian-joojeh-kabab-recipe-easy-saffron-marinated-chicken/