Name: Fesenjan (Persian Walnut Pomegranate Chicken Stew)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 80 min
Total time: 95 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Persian
Ingredients: 450 g Chicken, bone-in pieces; ¾ cup Walnuts, finely ground; 3 tbsp Pomegranate Molasses, for the stew sauce; 1 Brown Onion, finely chopped; 2 tbsp Olive Oil, for browning the chicken; ½ tsp Ground Turmeric, for the stew base; ¼ tsp Ground Cinnamon, for gentle warmth; 1 tsp Sugar, optional balance for tart molasses; ¾ tsp Salt, adjust to taste; ¼ tsp Black Peppercorns, freshly ground; 2 cup Water, for simmering

Fesenjan (Persian Walnut Pomegranate Chicken Stew)

1 hr 35 mintotal

Prep 15 min · Cook 1 hr 20 min

Serves: 2
Difficulty: Medium
Spice: Mild

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Method

Heat the measured olive oil in a heavy pot. Add the chicken and brown it lightly on both sides, then remove it to a plate.
Add the onion to the same pot and cook until soft and golden. Stir in turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, and salt.
Add the ground walnuts and stir over low heat until they smell nutty and begin to release a little oil.
Add the measured water gradually, stirring to make a smooth sauce. Return the chicken to the pot.
Cover and simmer gently until the chicken is fully cooked and the walnut sauce thickens. Stir often near the bottom so the nuts do not catch.
Stir in the pomegranate molasses and sugar. Simmer uncovered until the sauce is glossy and coats the chicken.
Taste and adjust salt. Rest for a few minutes off the heat so the sauce settles before serving.

How to tell it's done

The sauce should be thick, smooth, and glossy, with tiny walnut grains visible but no watery separation.

Getting it right

Tip

Keep the simmer gentle after adding walnuts; high heat can make the sauce stick before the chicken becomes tender.

What to serve it with

Serve with steamed basmati rice and a simple herb plate or cucumber salad.

Substitutions

Chicken thighs work better than lean breast because the stew cooks for a longer time.
Pomegranate Molasses is central to the dish; pomegranate juice alone will make the sauce thinner and less intense.
Walnuts are essential and make this recipe unsuitable for tree-nut-allergic users.

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Ingredients