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Home›Rice Dishes

🍚 Rice Dishes

From Persian saffron tahdig to Indian biryani, Afghan Kabuli Palaw to Azerbaijani plov - explore rice dishes that are the centerpiece of cuisines across the saffron belt.

263 recipes

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Persian · Rice Dishes
Polo Morgh-e Sorkh Shodeh (پلو مرغ سرخ‌شده) — Saffron-Tinted Persian Fried Chicken Rice
A modern home-style polo inspired by Persian tahdig-era rice technique, pairing fluffy basmati with pan-fried chicken, saffron, and bright vegetables. Tart citrus and warm curry spice echo Iran’s love of aromatic, balanced rice dishes.
80 min 4 635 cal

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Tahchin Morgh or Bareh — Persian Saffron Rice Cake with Crispy Tahdig - authentic persian recipe

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Persian · Rice Dishes

Tahchin Morgh or Bareh (ته چین مرغ یا بره) — Persian Saffron Rice Cake with Crispy Tahdig

Tahchin is a celebratory Persian rice cake with a saffron-gold crust (tahdig) and a tender filling of chicken or lamb. It’s often served at gatherings, where the dramatic unmolding reveals crisp edges and jeweled barberries.

130 min 6 690 cal

Nokhod Polo — Persian Aromatic Chickpea Rice with Saffron - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Nokhod Polo (نخود پلو) — Persian Aromatic Chickpea Rice with Saffron

Nokhod Polo is a comforting Persian home-style rice dish where chickpeas, tomatoes, and turmeric perfume fluffy basmati rice. Finished with saffron and often served with a crisp potato tahdig, it’s a nourishing staple for family tables.

90 min 6 520 cal

Felfel Polo ba Morgh — Peppery saffron rice with tender chicken - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Felfel Polo ba Morgh (فلفل پلو با مرغ) — Peppery saffron rice with tender chicken

Felfel Polo is a comforting Persian rice dish where basmati turns fragrant with saffron and a pronounced black-pepper warmth. Served with turmeric-braised chicken and sweet carrots, it’s a home-style classic for cool evenings.

100 min 4 735 cal

Bell Pepper Rice with Eggs — Kateh-Style Comfort Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Bell Pepper Rice with Eggs (فلفل پلو با تخم مرغ) — Kateh-Style Comfort Rice

Fel Fel Polo is a homey Persian kateh-style rice where sautéed bell peppers perfume the pot and tint the grains sweet and savory. It’s commonly finished with sunny-side-up eggs, making it a simple, satisfying family meal.

60 min 4 520 cal

Shirin Polo — Persian jeweled wedding rice with saffron chicken - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Shirin Polo (غذای شب‌های عروسی) — Persian jeweled wedding rice with saffron chicken

Shirin Polo is a celebratory Persian rice crowned with candied orange peel, carrots, nuts, and saffron chicken. Often served at weddings, its jeweled colors and sweet aroma symbolize a prosperous, joyful life together.

120 min 6 785 cal

Reshteh Polo ba Gosht — Persian Noodle Rice with Braised Meat - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Reshteh Polo ba Gosht (رشته پلو با گوشت) — Persian Noodle Rice with Braised Meat

Reshteh Polo is a festive Persian rice dish layered with toasted noodles and topped with tender braised meat. Often served for Nowruz, it symbolizes “unraveling life’s threads” and welcoming clarity in the new year.

150 min 6 820 cal

Kalam Qomari Polo — Saffron-Scented Kohlrabi Rice from Shiraz - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Kalam Qomari Polo (کلم قمری پلو) — Saffron-Scented Kohlrabi Rice from Shiraz

A beloved Shirazi-style pilaf, Kalam Qomari Polo pairs tender, lightly sweet kohlrabi with aromatic basmati rice. Warm cumin, cinnamon, and saffron create an earthy fragrance that feels both homey and celebratory.

85 min 6 385 cal

Shirazi Tahchin — Saffron Yogurt Rice Cake with Chicken and Barberries - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Shirazi Tahchin (ته چین شیرازی) — Saffron Yogurt Rice Cake with Chicken and Barberries

Shirazi tahchin is a celebratory Persian rice cake from historic Shiraz, prized for its saffron-gold layers and dramatic crispy crust. Chicken, barberries, and pistachios add a jeweled contrast that feels both regal and comforting.

135 min 6 760 cal

Polo Makhlout — Saffron-Scented Mixed Rice with Spiced Meat - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Polo Makhlout (پلو مخلوط) — Saffron-Scented Mixed Rice with Spiced Meat

Polo Makhlout is a beloved Persian home-style mixed rice where parboiled basmati is layered with spiced ground meat, herbs, and saffron. It’s often served family-style, prized for its aroma, golden crust, and comforting balance of savory and fragrant notes.

100 min 6 690 cal

Polo Sabzijat — Persian-Style Vegetable Pilaf with Ginger and Soy - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Polo Sabzijat (پلو سبزیجات) — Persian-Style Vegetable Pilaf with Ginger and Soy

Polo Sabzijat is a Persian-inspired rice dish where fluffy basmati meets colorful vegetables and fragrant aromatics. This version nods to modern Iranian home cooking by pairing classic polo technique with ginger, garlic, and a light soy-sesame finish.

55 min 4 430 cal

Baghali Polo — Persian Dill and Broad Bean Rice with Saffron - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Baghali Polo (باقالی پلو) — Persian Dill and Broad Bean Rice with Saffron

A celebratory Persian rice known for its vivid green dill, sweet broad beans, and saffron aroma. Traditionally served at feasts alongside lamb or chicken, it’s built with parboiled basmati rice and steamed into fluffy, fragrant layers.

90 min 6 430 cal

Spicy Kateh with Chicken — Northern Persian steamed rice with verjuice and herbs - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Spicy Kateh with Chicken (کته تند) — Northern Persian steamed rice with verjuice and herbs

Kateh is the beloved northern Iranian method of steaming rice until fluffy and lightly crusted. This “tond” (spicy) version perfumes the pot with turmeric, curry, herbs, and tangy verjuice, then cooks chicken right alongside the rice.

80 min 4 690 cal

Masaleh Polo — Persian Spiced Rice with Saffron Meatballs and Barberries - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Masaleh Polo (مساله پلو) — Persian Spiced Rice with Saffron Meatballs and Barberries

Masaleh Polo is a celebratory Persian rice layered with aromatic spices, saffron, and jeweled barberries. The fluffy basmati and tender meatballs echo classic festive flavors often served at family gatherings and special nights.

105 min 6 690 cal

Dami Adas va Havij — Persian Lentil and Carrot One-Pot Rice - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Dami Adas va Havij (دمی عدس و هویج) — Persian Lentil and Carrot One-Pot Rice

Dami Adas va Havij is a cozy Persian one-pot rice where lentils and carrots cook together until fragrant and tender. It’s a practical home-style dish often served with yogurt and pickles, showcasing the “dami” method of absorption cooking.

75 min 4 520 cal

Sabzi Polo ba Mahi — Persian Herbed Rice with Crispy Fish - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Sabzi Polo ba Mahi (سبزی پلو با ماهی) — Persian Herbed Rice with Crispy Fish

A Nowruz centerpiece, Sabzi Polo ba Mahi pairs fluffy basmati rice with a bright mix of spring herbs and crisp, lemony fish. It’s served to welcome renewal and abundance, with greens symbolizing rebirth at the new year table.

105 min 4 760 cal

Albaloo Polo — Persian Sour Cherry Saffron Rice with Chicken - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Albaloo Polo (آلبالو پلو) — Persian Sour Cherry Saffron Rice with Chicken

Albaloo Polo is a jewel-like Persian rice layered with tart sour cherries, saffron, and a gentle sweetness. Often served at weddings and summer gatherings, it’s traditionally paired with chicken and finished with nuts for crunch.

110 min 6 760 cal

Shekar Polo — Shirazi Sweet Saffron Rice with Citrus and Pistachio - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Shekar Polo (شکر پلو) — Shirazi Sweet Saffron Rice with Citrus and Pistachio

A celebratory specialty from Shiraz, Shekar Polo is a jeweled sweet rice perfumed with saffron and citrus zest. Its golden color and gentle floral sweetness make it a classic accompaniment for festive tables and family gatherings.

80 min 6 458 cal

Adas Polo — Persian Lentil and Raisin Rice with Saffron - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Adas Polo (عدس پلو) — Persian Lentil and Raisin Rice with Saffron

Adas Polo is a beloved Persian rice dish that layers fluffy basmati with tender lentils and sweet raisins, finished with saffron. Often served as comforting family food, it balances savory onions with warm spices in a classic Iranian style.

80 min 6 520 cal

Esfenaj Polow — Persian Spinach and Carrot Pilaf - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Esfenaj Polow (اسفناج پلو) — Persian Spinach and Carrot Pilaf

Esfenaj Polow is a classic Iranian pilaf where fragrant rice is layered with sautéed spinach, carrots, and warm spices. It’s a home-style dish that highlights Persian balance: sweetness from vegetables, savoriness from onions and garlic, and gentle aromatics.

80 min 4 520 cal

Mushroom and Chicken Polo — Saffron-scented layered rice with chicken and mushrooms - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Mushroom and Chicken Polo (پلو مرغ و قارچ) — Saffron-scented layered rice with chicken and mushrooms

A Persian-inspired polo where fluffy basmati rice is layered with saffron-braised chicken, sautéed mushrooms, and sweet fried onions. The dish balances earthy umami with the regal perfume of brewed saffron, perfect for family-style gatherings.

90 min 6 585 cal

Shirazi Polo — Fragrant layered saffron rice with chicken, eggplant, and jeweled barberries - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Shirazi Polo (پلو شیرازی) — Fragrant layered saffron rice with chicken, eggplant, and jeweled barberries

From Shiraz’s celebratory tables, Shirazi Polo layers saffron-steamed basmati with tender meat, golden fried eggplant, and jeweled zereshk. The tahdig is enriched with yogurt and egg yolk for a crisp, rich crust.

120 min 6 780 cal

Shirazi Kalam Polo — Herb-Scented Cabbage Rice with Meatballs - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Shirazi Kalam Polo (کلم پلو شیرازی) — Herb-Scented Cabbage Rice with Meatballs

Kalam Polo is a beloved Shiraz specialty that layers fluffy basmati rice with sweet sautéed cabbage, fresh herbs, and tiny spiced meatballs. It’s a comforting Persian polow often finished with saffron and a crisp tahdig.

110 min 6 640 cal

Reshteh Polo — Persian Noodle Rice with Black-Eyed Peas - authentic persian recipe

Persian · Rice Dishes

Reshteh Polo (رشته پلو) — Persian Noodle Rice with Black-Eyed Peas

Reshteh Polo is a beloved Persian rice dish where toasted noodles mingle with fluffy basmati and legumes. Often served for Nowruz, the “noodles” symbolize life’s threads—hoping the new year’s paths become easier to untangle.

90 min 6 520 cal