Authentic Khoresh Recipe: Persian Chicken Stew

A pot of khoresh, a Persian stew, simmering with chicken, green beans, and tomatoes in a rich sauce.

Persian cuisine is a world class tradition that deserves more recognition. While I don’t believe its diverse flavors and styles are as widely known as they should be, this classic khoresh offers a perfect introduction. It’s a foundational dish instantly recognizable to any Persian family and one of my personal favorites, refined over many years.

Interested in spicing your khoresh up with a little eggplant, click here Authentic Khoresh Bademjan: A Flavorful Eggplant Stew

Ingredients:

1 lb boneless skinless Chicken Thighs. 

3 Tbsp Vegetable Oil, I like avocado oil. 

1 lb Green Beans, ends removed, cut into 2-inch pieces

1 large yellow Onion, finely chopped

3 large Garlic cloves, minced

1 cup Tomato sauce or Passata

1 cup sliced Cherry Tomatoes 

1-2 Tbsp Tomato Paste 

1 Tbsp Fenugreek leaves 

1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder

1/4 teaspoon Cumin powder

1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

2 tablespoons fresh Lime juice

Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, add the chopped onion, saute until soft. 

Add the minced garlic and saute for another 2-3 minutes. Add turmeric, stir well. Add the chicken pieces, salt and pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper, cook until the chicken is no longer pink.

Add the chopped tomatoes, the tomato sauce and fenugreek, mix well. Add enough water or broth to cover. Add tomato paste and bring to a gentle boil for a few minutes. Reduce the heat, cover, and cook on low heat for 45-50 minutes.

In the meantime, in a large frying pan sauté the green beans lightly for a couple of minutes in 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the beans to the pan, add cinnamon, the lime juice, add additional hot water if necessary, taste, and adjust the seasoning. Cover and cook for another 15-20 minutes on low heat until the chicken pieces and green beans are tender, most of the water evaporated and the tomato sauce thickened. If you feel it is not as thick as you’d like, you can simmer it uncovered for this last 15-20 minutes.

Serve with steamed basmati rice or tahdig.

Authentic Khoresh Recipe: Persian Chicken Stew

Persian cuisine is a world class tradition that deserves more recognition. While I don’t believe its diverse flavors and styles are as widely known as they should be, this classic khoresh offers a perfect introduction. It’s a foundational dish instantly recognizable to any Persian family and one of my personal favorites, refined over many years.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Persian

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless skinless Chicken Thighs.
  • 3 Tbsp Vegetable Oil I like avocado oil.
  • 1 lb Green Beans ends removed, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 large yellow Onion finely chopped
  • 3 large Garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup Tomato sauce or Passata
  • 1 cup sliced Cherry Tomatoes
  • 1-2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 1 Tbsp Fenugreek leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cumin powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh Lime juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Heavy Pot

Method
 

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan over medium heat, add the chopped onion, saute until soft.
  2. Add the minced garlic and saute for another 2-3 minutes. Add turmeric, stir well. Add the chicken pieces, salt and pepper, cumin, and cayenne pepper, cook until the chicken is no longer pink.
  3. Add the chopped tomatoes, the tomato sauce and fenugreek, mix well. Add enough water or broth to cover. Add tomato paste and bring to a gentle boil for a few minutes. Reduce the heat, cover, and cook on low heat for 45-50 minutes.
  4. In the meantime, in a large frying pan sauté the green beans lightly for a couple of minutes in 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add the beans to the pan, add cinnamon, the lime juice, add additional hot water if necessary, taste, and adjust the seasoning. Cover and cook for another 15-20 minutes on low heat until the chicken pieces and green beans are tender, most of the water evaporated and the tomato sauce thickened. If you feel it is not as thick as you’d like, you can simmer it uncovered for this last 15-20 minutes.
  5. Serve with steamed basmati rice or tahdig.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

Authentic Khoresh Bademjan: A Flavorful Eggplant Stew

A khoresh is a Persian stew. There are many variations and all sorts of flavors, but this is a personal favorite. In Farsi, khoresh means stew and bademjam means eggplant. This particular khoresh is often made with beef or lamb, but I enjoy the chicken and find it lighter.

Interested in exploring other types of Persian khoreshes, click here Authentic Khoresh Recipe: Persian Chicken Stew

All of these ingredients are available online or in most Middle Eastern markets. It’s worth searching out the authentic ingredients.

Ingredients:

2 lbs Chicken Thighs, or boneless skinless chicken thighs.
1 Eggplant, peeled and sliced into quarters
3 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Onion, sliced
2 cloves Garlic, minced.
1 Tbsp Tomato Paste
1 tsp Tumeric
1 stick Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Saffron
Salt and Pepper
1- 2 cups Vegetable Stock
1/2 cup Sour Grapes
4 Dried Limes, pierced.
4 Tbsp Sour Grape Juice.

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400F. Peel eggplant and slice into quarters. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove to let cool.

In sauté pan, heat olive oil and brown chicken thighs. Remove from pan and add sliced onions and garlic and sauté until browned. Add tomato paste and cook further, add vegetable broth and turmeric and cook until a sauce is formed. Loosely chop the eggplant and add to the dish.

Add back the chicken and then add sour grapes, dried limes and sour grape juice. Crush the saffron and add to sauce and allow to cook gently for 1 hours. Serve with basmati rice.

Authentic Khoresh Bademjan: A Flavorful Eggplant Stew

A khoresh is a Persian stew. There are many variations and all sorts of flavors, but this is a personal favorite.
In Farsi, khoresh means stew and bademjam means eggplant. This particular khoresh is often made with beef or lamb, but I enjoy the chicken and find it lighter.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings: 6
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Persian

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs Chicken Thighs or boneless skinless chicken thighs.
  • 1 Eggplant peeled and sliced into quarters
  • 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 Onion sliced
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced.
  • 1 Tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 1 tsp Tumeric
  • 1 stick Cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp Saffron
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 1- 2 cups Vegetable Stock
  • 1/2 cup Sour Grapes
  • 4 Dried Limes pierced.
  • 4 Tbsp Sour Grape Juice.

Equipment

  • Heavy Pot

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400F. Peel eggplant and slice into quarters. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove to let cool.
  2. In sauté pan, heat olive oil and brown chicken thighs. Remove from pan and add sliced onions and garlic and sauté until browned. Add tomato paste and cook further, add vegetable broth and turmeric and cook until a sauce is formed. Loosely chop the eggplant and add to the dish.
  3. Add back the chicken and then add sour grapes, dried limes and sour grape juice. Crush the saffron and add to sauce and allow to cook gently for 1 hours. Serve with basmati rice.

Notes

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