Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (2024)

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Fesenjan is a Persian chicken stew made with chicken breasts or thighs that are slowly cooked with ground toasted walnuts and pomegranate molasses.

By

Elise Bauer

Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (1)

Elise Bauer

Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.

Learn about Simply Recipes'Editorial Process

Updated September 29, 2023

Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (2)

37 ratings

Here is a stew made for fall! This chicken stew with walnut and pomegranate sauce recipe is a classic preparation in Persian cooking: Fesenjan.

Chicken pieces are first browned and then slowly cooked in a sauce with ground toasted walnuts and pomegranate molasses. You might not normally think to make a sauce with walnuts and pomegranates, but it's a perfect combination!

Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (3)

The toasted walnuts are rich and warm and the pomegranate molasses sharp and berry toned. Cooked slowly with the chicken, the sauce is spectacular. Bowl-licking good.

The only ingredient that might be a little hard to find at your local grocery store is the pomegranate molasses. You can make your own with pomegranate juice (see our recipe for pomegranate molasses), or look for it at Whole Foods or a store that carries Middle Eastern ingredients.

Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (4)

Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken)

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time2 hrs

Total Time2 hrs 10 mins

Servings6to 8 servings

Make your own pomegranate molasses by simmering 1 cup of pomegranate juiceuntil it reduces to 5 tablespoons of syrup.

Ingredients

  • 1 to 2 large yellow onions, chopped, (3 cups)

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 5 tablespoonspomegranate molasses

  • 8 ounces walnut halves (about 2 cups)

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs and/or breasts, trimmed of excess fat, cut into medium size pieces, patted dry and salted

  • 2 cups chicken stock

  • 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons of sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric

  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

  • Salt

  • 1/2 cup fresh pomegranate arilsfor garnish, optional

Method

  1. Toast and grind the walnuts:

    You can toast the walnuts in one of two ways. You can either spread them out in a single layer in a large skillet, and toast them on medium high heat, stirring frequently until lightly toasted, OR you can spread them out in a single layer in a baking rimmed baking sheet, and toast at 350°F in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

    In either case, once toasted, remove from heat and allow to cool. Once cool enough to handle, pulse in a food processor or blender until finely ground.

    Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (5)

  2. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides:

    In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 2 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.

    When the butter has melted, pat the chicken pieces dry again and place the chicken pieces in the pan, working in batches if necessary to not crowd the pan, and cook until golden brown on all sides. Sprinkle the chicken with salt while they are cooking.

    Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (6)

  3. Sauté the onions:

    Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the chicken from the pan, set aside. Add a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of oil to the pan. Lower the heat to medium low. Add chopped onions to the pan and sauté until translucent, stirring on occasion to release the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

    Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (7)

  4. Add chicken and stock:

    Return the chicken pieces to the pan with the onions. Pour 2 cups of chicken stock over the chicken and onions. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and simmer gently for 30 minutes.

    Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (8)

  5. Add ground walnuts, pomegranate molasses, sugar, spices, cover and cook:

    Stir in the ground walnuts, pomegranate molasses, sugar, and spices. Cover and cook on very low heat for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes or so to prevent the walnuts from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

    Remove from heat and adjust sugar/salt to taste. At this point the chicken should be fall apart tender.

    Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (9)

    Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (10)

  6. Serve:

    Garnish with pomegranate seeds. Serve over parsi pulao or other favorite rice.

Links:

Slow cooker pomegranate chicken salad from Lydia of The Perfect Pantry

Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (11)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
568Calories
37g Fat
31g Carbs
34g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6to 8
Amount per serving
Calories568
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 37g47%
Saturated Fat 7g36%
Cholesterol 148mg49%
Sodium 375mg16%
Total Carbohydrate 31g11%
Dietary Fiber 4g14%
Total Sugars 23g
Protein 34g
Vitamin C 10mg48%
Calcium 59mg5%
Iron 2mg14%
Potassium 737mg16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is fesenjan in farsi? ›

Fesenjān (Persian: فسنجان; also called fesenjoon in Tehrani dialect) is a sweet and sour Iranian stew (a khoresh) from Northern Iran. It is typically served over rice in the Iranian manner.

What is fesenjoon made of? ›

Fesenjan or fesenjoon is a traditional Persian stew made with chicken simmered in a pomegranate molasses and walnut sauce. The combination of earthy walnuts, slightly sour pomegranate molasses and tender, juicy chicken create an unparalleled balance of flavors in this special occasion dish.

Can I use pomegranate molasses instead of juice? ›

Would think so but you may need more liquid from something else (water/stock/wine etc.) Pomegranate molasses is quite bitter - you wouldn't get the necessary sweetness. Plus also it is a different consistency. I would try get hold of the pomegranate juice tbh.

How do you reheat fesenjan? ›

To serve, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. To reheat fesenjan, place it in in a small pot and turn the heat on to medium low. Stir occasionally so it doesn't stick to the pot. It takes about 20 minutes to reheat completely.

What does pomegranate mean in Iran? ›

TEHRAN - The pomegranate enjoys great reverence and importance in Iranian culture, religion, art, and tradition. It often symbolizes abundance, blessings, and fertility. Every autumn, many pomegranate growers in Iran hold festivals to thank God and celebrate the harvest season.

What is the Iranian word for pomegranate? ›

میوه ها
انبه anbe 'mango'انار anār 'pomegranate'آناناس ānānās 'pineapple'
زردآلو zardālū 'apricot 'خربزه kharboze 'melon'توت فرنگی tūtfarangī 'strawberry'
شلیل shalīl 'nectarine'شاه توت shāhtūt 'blackberry'سیب sīb 'apple'
موز moz 'banana'گیلاس gīlās 'cherry'آلو ālū 'plum'
هندوانه hendavāne 'watermelon'هلو holū 'peach'
1 more row

Are pomegranates Iranian? ›

Mistaken origins. The Romans mistakenly assumed pomegranates derived from Africa. In fact, pomegranates are considered to have originated from Iran, south-west Pakistan and parts of Afghanistan. The pomegranate fruit was also given a classical Latin name, Malum granatum, meaning "grainy apple".

Is pomegranate a Persian fruit? ›

Pomegranate, known as “Anar” in Persian, grows widely and is cultivated throughout Iran. As a common food, Iranians use pomegranate fruit juice and paste in many dishes including sour chicken, Fesenjan, and Lavashak. Iranian culture has long used the pomegranate as a symbol.

What is pomegranate molasses called in arabic? ›

Pomegranate molasses is an important ingredient in Middle Eastern cooking. The Arabic name (dibs rumaan or rub rumaan) and the Farsi name (rob-e-anar) mean "thickened pomegranate juice." The Turkish name "sour pomegranate" (nar ekşisi) best fits what pomegranate molasses is.

Does pomegranate molasses tenderize meat? ›

The pomegranate molasses is both sweet and sour, and the acid in it will tenderize the meat. When ready to cook, take the meat out of the fridge, and season it with salt and black pepper.

Is pomegranate molasses high in sugar? ›

Pomegranate molasses is a rich source of B vitamins, as well as vitamin C and a variety of polyphenolic antioxidants. This is in addition to a low level of sugars, calcium, iron, no dietary fiber, and no fats or cholesterol. There are also approximately 40 calories in a 1 tablespoon serving of this molasses.

Should pomegranate molasses be refrigerated? ›

Opened bottles can be refrigerated for long periods, but it's not likely to sit around for long. You don't need to love Middle Eastern food to love what pomegranate molasses can do for the foods you already love.

How do you pronounce fesenjān? ›

If Ghormeh Sabzi is Michael Jackson, Fesenjan (pronounced fesen-joon) is Prince. Its fans are die-hard.

Can you freeze fesenjān? ›

I like to make a large pot of Fesenjan which serves 10-12 (without the chicken) and freeze individual portion containers that will serve 4-6 people. Night before serving, I simply take one container of prepared sauce out of the freezer; let it sit in the fridge over night until it thaws.

What is the origin of the word fesenjān? ›

Fesenjan is believed to have originated in Gilan province, a temperate green swath of land along the Caspian Sea in the north of Iran, where wild ducks are plentiful. Gilanis have a taste for tart, fruity flavors like those in this dish, which has been around in one form or another since the days of the Persian Empire.

Is pomegranate Persian? ›

Pomegranate, known as “Anar” in Persian, grows widely and is cultivated throughout Iran. As a common food, Iranians use pomegranate fruit juice and paste in many dishes including sour chicken, Fesenjan, and Lavashak.

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