CHICKEN WITH APRICOTS, LEMON AND SAFFRON

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Chicken With Apricots, Lemon and Saffron image

Here is a spice-perfumed braised chicken dish that is greater than the sum of its parts, with complex flavor that belies the ease of preparation. As a bonus, you can prepare it up to 2 days in advance, since it reheats beautifully.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     dinner, lunch, poultry, main course

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

6 large bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (About 2 pounds total), fat trimmed
Salt and pepper
1/8 teaspoon crumbled saffron threads
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 large onion, diced (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup tomato purée
Pinch of cayenne
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon green cardamom pods
1 cup white wine
6 ounces dried apricots, about 1 cup
2 small lemons, thinly sliced (do not peel)
Cilantro leaves, for garnish
Mint leaves, for garnish
2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts, for garnish (optional)

Steps:

  • Season chicken generously on both sides with salt and pepper. (If time permits, do this an hour before cooking or up to 24 hours in advance. Keep refrigerated, but remove from refrigerator 1 hour before cooking.)
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, place chicken pieces skin-side down in one layer. Let chicken cook slowly to brown well on one side, about 15 to 20 minutes. When skin is crisp and lifts easily from the pan, it is ready. Flip and cook 2 minutes more.
  • Meanwhile, make saffron water: In a small cup, combine saffron with lemon juice and 1/4 cup water. Set aside to steep.
  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. Transfer chicken, skin-side up, to a baking dish. Pour off some fat from the skillet, reserving about 2 tablespoons. Add onions, salt lightly and cook, stirring, until softened and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes.
  • Add saffron water and threads, tomato purée, cayenne, coriander, fennel, cardamom and wine to onions and bring to a simmer.
  • Pour onion mixture over chicken. Tuck apricots and lemon slices among the chicken pieces. Cover tightly and bake for 1 hour. Remove cover and bake until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. (Recipe can be prepared to this point up to 2 days ahead. When ready to serve, reheat in a 350-degree oven, in a covered pot, 30 to 45 minutes.)
  • To serve, garnish with cilantro and mint leaves. Sprinkle with pine nuts and serve hot.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 464, UnsaturatedFat 16 grams, Carbohydrate 28 grams, Fat 25 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 27 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 712 milligrams, Sugar 19 grams, TransFat 0 grams

nozrul eslm
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I'm not a huge fan of chicken, but this dish changed my mind! The chicken was cooked perfectly, and the combination of apricots, lemon, and saffron was amazing. The sauce was also delicious, and I found myself dipping my bread in it.


Punjabi Jutti
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This dish is a bit time-consuming to make, but it's worth the effort! The flavors are complex and delicious, and the chicken is cooked to perfection. I served it with roasted vegetables, and it was a perfect meal.


ThatOneGuy420
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This is a great recipe for a weeknight meal. It's easy to make and the chicken is cooked perfectly. The apricots and lemon add a nice tartness, and the saffron gives it a subtle floral flavor.


Sara Estrada
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I'm not a huge fan of chicken, but this dish changed my mind! The chicken was cooked perfectly, and the combination of apricots, lemon, and saffron was amazing. The sauce was also delicious, and I found myself dipping my bread in it.


Hari xettri
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This dish is a bit time-consuming to make, but it's worth the effort! The flavors are complex and delicious, and the chicken is cooked to perfection. I served it with roasted vegetables, and it was a perfect meal.


Lydia Motsabe
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This is a great recipe for a weeknight meal. It's easy to make and the chicken is cooked perfectly. The apricots and lemon add a nice tartness, and the saffron gives it a subtle floral flavor.


Ahmed Dhuddi
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This dish is a great way to use up leftover chicken. I had some roasted chicken from the night before, and I used it to make this dish. The chicken was still moist and flavorful, and the sauce was delicious.


Hollywood movie in hindi
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I'm not a huge fan of chicken, but this dish changed my mind! The chicken was cooked perfectly, and the combination of apricots, lemon, and saffron was amazing. The sauce was also delicious, and I found myself dipping my bread in it.


Ray Ayda
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This dish is a bit time-consuming to make, but it's worth the effort! The flavors are complex and delicious, and the chicken is cooked to perfection. I served it with roasted vegetables, and it was a perfect meal.


Angel Dawson
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I love the combination of flavors in this dish. The apricots and lemon add a nice tartness, while the saffron gives it a subtle floral flavor. The chicken is cooked perfectly, and the sauce is delicious. I will definitely be making this again!


Prasjwal Gurung
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This dish is a great way to impress your guests. It's easy to make, but it looks and tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant. The chicken is cooked perfectly, and the sauce is rich and flavorful. I served it with roasted vegetables, and it was a


Ashley McDaniels
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I'm a big fan of saffron, so I was excited to try this recipe. It didn't disappoint! The saffron gave the dish a beautiful golden color and a subtle floral flavor. The chicken was cooked perfectly, and the apricots and lemon added a nice tartness. I


cust omer
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This recipe is a great way to use up leftover chicken. I had some roasted chicken from the night before, and I used it to make this dish. It turned out great! The chicken was still moist and flavorful, and the sauce was delicious. I served it over ri


Gayleen Ceasar
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I made this dish for a dinner party and it was a huge success! Everyone raved about the flavors and the presentation. The chicken was cooked perfectly, and the sauce was rich and flavorful. I will definitely be making this dish again!


Lalita Xetri
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This dish is a bit time-consuming to make, but it's worth the effort! The flavors are complex and delicious, and the chicken is cooked to perfection. I served it with roasted vegetables, and it was a perfect meal. I highly recommend this recipe for a


Enamul Hoqe
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I'm not a huge fan of chicken, but this dish changed my mind! The chicken was cooked perfectly, and the combination of apricots, lemon, and saffron was amazing. The sauce was also delicious, and I found myself dipping my bread in it. Will definitely


Michael Holder
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This recipe is a keeper! It's easy to follow and the end result is a delicious, flavorful dish that my whole family loved. The chicken is tender and juicy, and the apricots and lemon add a nice tartness. The saffron gives the dish a beautiful golden


DIAn
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I'm always looking for new and exciting chicken recipes, and this one definitely fits the bill! The apricot-lemon-saffron sauce is incredibly flavorful and adds a unique twist to the classic chicken dish. I served it over rice, and it was a hit with


kamran jan
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This dish is a delight to the senses! The combination of chicken, apricots, lemon, and saffron creates a symphony of flavors that dance on the palate. The chicken is cooked to perfection, tender and juicy, while the apricots add a touch of sweetness