🍽️Stew

Khoresh Morgh Saadeh – Simple Persian Chicken Stew

Name: Khoresh Morgh Saadeh – Simple Persian Chicken Stew
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Stew
Ingredients: 8 pieces skinned chicken; 1 large onion, finely chopped; 2 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; Salt, to taste; Black pepper, to taste; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; Oil, as needed for frying; 2 tablespoons tomato sauce; 2 tablespoons lemon juice

"Discover the soul-warming essence of Persian home cooking with this citrusy, cinnamon-infused chicken stew crowned with irresistible crispy potatoes."

Prep:15 min

Cook:45 min

LevelMedium

Analyzing...

● Ingredients

8 pieces skinned chicken
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Oil, as needed for frying
2 tablespoons tomato sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice

🌱 Dairy-Free🌱 Gluten-Free🌱 High-Protein🌱 Persian Cuisine⚡ Medium

❤️Health78%

😋Taste85%

🥳Joy82%

👨‍🍳Difficulty30/100

📜 The Story

Khoresh Morgh is a foundational pillar of Persian home cooking, traditionally served at family gatherings as a symbol of hospitality. This 'saadeh' or simple version focuses on the classic Iranian technique of balancing bright citrus notes with the warm, aromatic depth of cinnamon.

🧬 Flavor DNA

🍋Sour

7/10

🧂Salty

5/10

🌶️Spicy

2/10

🍯Sweet

2/10

🍄umami

6/10

☕Bitter

1/10

✨ Sensory Profile

"Aromatic clouds of cinnamon and tart lemon rise from a silky, sunset-hued broth. The tender, succulent chicken provides a soft contrast to the addictive, salty crunch of golden fried potatoes."

Chef's Mastery

💡

The Secret

For an authentic 'Majlesi' (celebration) style, bloom a pinch of crushed saffron in two tablespoons of hot water and add it during the final 15 minutes of simmering for incredible color and aroma.

⚠️

Avoid This

Using too much water at the start; the goal is a thick, concentrated sauce, not a thin soup. Ensure the liquid reduces to a rich glaze before serving.

❄️

Storage

Keep the chicken stew in an airtight container for up to 3 days; however, store potatoes separately to prevent them from becoming soggy.

Instructions

Place the chicken pieces in a large pot with the chopped onion and minced garlic. Add about 2 cups of water and set the pot over low heat.

Season with salt, black pepper, and cinnamon. Cover and let the chicken gently simmer for about 30 minutes, allowing it to release its natural juices.

Stir in the tomato sauce and lemon juice. Increase the heat to medium and continue cooking for another 40–45 minutes, until the chicken is tender and well infused with flavor.

If the liquid reduces too quickly before the chicken is fully cooked, add a small amount of water as needed. By the end of cooking, the stew should have no more than about 1 cup of broth.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a frying pan and fry the sliced potatoes until golden and crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Serve the stew hot, arranging the chicken in a shallow bowl and topping with the fried potatoes.

Alternative method: For a lighter version, skip frying and add the sliced potatoes directly to the pot after the first 30 minutes of cooking, allowing them to simmer with the chicken until tender.