Easy Air Fried Persian Chicken Recipe
A delicious Persian-style upgrade to your chicken dishes!
Persian chicken is saffron-marinated chicken thighs and breasts cooked to juicy, tender perfection in the air fryer. Serve with tzatziki and plain basmati rice for a flavorful, satisfying dish, perfect for the whole family.
For more delicious Persian dishes, try my Persian Watermelon and Feta Salad and this Persian Tahchin: Baked Saffron Rice recipe.
Unveiling The Best Persian Chicken
Growing up in a Persian household, I remember feeling a little embarrassed when friends would come over for dinner because the flavors were SO DIFFERENT from traditional American food. Our dishes boasted vibrant colors, abundant use of fresh herbs and Persian spices, and a fondness for yogurt that seemed unconventional to outsiders. It wasn’t until I went off to college and experienced other cultures and people from different backgrounds that I learned to appreciate the richness of my own heritage and the remarkable flavors of Persian cooking.
This Persian chicken recipe is a masterpiece that showcases the very best parts of Persian cuisine. It harmonizes the earthy notes of saffron with the velvety tang of yogurt, resulting in an amazing dish that is truly exceptional.
Why You’ll Love This Persian Chicken Recipe
Easy. The air fryer is a easy way to cook it because a) it cooks way faster b) eliminates the need to preheat the oven, sparing you from heating up the entire house.
Flavorful. From taste to texture, this juicy chicken recipe stands out from the rest. It’s super moist thanks to a yogurt marinade that ensures each bite is succulent and bursting with mouthwatering flavors. The addition of saffron takes it to a whole new level of culinary bliss.
Healthy. Seeking a protein-packed, nutritious meal? Look no further! Persian chicken is an excellent source of protein, and the inclusion of Greek yogurt adds an extra boost of goodness.
What is Persian Chicken?
Persian chicken is marinated, tender chicken seasoned with saffron, a fragrant spice. Whether you choose to grill, bake, pan-fry, or even air fry, the result is a culinary masterpiece that will have you coming back for more.
Persian Chicken Ingredients
Chicken breast or chicken thighs: use whichever one you prefer or have on hand. Everyone has their own opinion. I love to switch it up between the two. I just always recommend using high-quality chicken, preferably organic! You can use boneless chicken but bone-in provides more flavor.
Onion: White or yellow onion works great for this recipe. You can either slice it, chop it or use grated onion. It’s up to you!
Organic Greek yogurt: I prefer using plain, full-fat organic Greek yogurt. It adds a wonderful tang, and it makes the chicken very tender! You can use any plain yogurt you prefer.
Olive oil: Use a high-quality oil for the best results.
Seasoning: I season the chicken with a spice blend of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and turmeric.
Saffron: I recommend using a powered saffron. If your saffron comes in threads, just grind them with a mortar and pestle. Then add your water! I prefer using saffron from Sadaf; you can get it on Amazon!
Water: Use warm water in order to bloom the saffron (saffron water).
Lemon juice: This a bright acidity to the chicken.
How to Make Persian Chicken
Begin by trimming off any fat from the chicken. Then, add the chicken to a large Tupperware container or ziplock bag. Next, add the onion, Greek yogurt, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and turmeric.
Next mix the saffron threads with warm water, mix it until it dissolves.
Combine the saffron infusion with the remaining ingredients and thoroughly mix everything together.
Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 15 minutes. However, the longer it marinates, the better. For optimal flavor, it would sit for 4 hours or even 12 hours in the fridge.
When you are ready to cook, place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer. Cook at 390 Fahrenheit for approximately 15 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Serve the chicken with a drizzle of fresh lemon juice and pair it alongside your favorite sides like cucumber salad or Persian rice for a complete and satisfying meal.
Tips to Elevate Your Persian Chicken Experience
Handle saffron with care: Do not add saffron directly to the chicken. Saffron isn’t cheap, so maximize the flavor, aroma, and color by blooming it (combining it with water) before adding it to the marinade. This technique ensures that you make the most of this precious ingredient.
Don’t rush the marination: Patience is key! Saffron needs time to seep into the chicken, infusing it with its exquisite flavor. This also allows the chicken to become tender for an even better tasting protein.
Plan ahead for a seamless cooking process: For a stress-free meal, marinate the chicken the night before you plan to serve it. This way, you can have a full meal ready in less than 30 minutes when it’s time to cook. Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, fear not! Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat it in the microwave or air fryer.
Delicious Recipe Variations and Substitutions
Dairy-Free: For a dairy-free version, just swap the Greek yogurt for a dairy-free plain thick yogurt! The result will be tantalizingly delicious.
Persian Grilled Chicken Recipe: To achieve the grilled variation, after marinating the chicken, you’ll want to just heat a large skillet on medium heat with some olive oil & cook on both sides to sear! Make sure your chicken comes out to an internal temperature of 165F.
Persian Chicken Kabobs: If you’re feeling adventurous and want to experiment with a kebab-style dish, you can adapt this recipe to make joojeh kabob. Simply slice the chicken pieces into 1.5-inch square pieces, marinade, and skewer them. From there, you can grill or bake the chicken skewers to perfection.
Citrus: Infuse a burst of citrus freshness by swapping the lemon juice with lime juice.
Finishing Touch: Elevate the dish’s presentation by garnishing it with pomegranate seeds.
FAQ
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To allow the flavors to meld beautifully, marinate the chicken for up to 12 hours. Much longer than that and the chicken will begin to break down and become mushy.
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For a complete Persian feast, serve the chicken alongside tzatziki and plain basmati rice. The combination will transport your taste buds to new heights.
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Saffron, derived from the flowers of the Crocus sativus plant, is not only a spice known for its delightful aroma and taste but also offers various health benefits. Packed with antioxidants, saffron has been proven to boost mood and libido, making it a valuable addition to your culinary repertoire.
Air Fryer Persian Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb chicken breast or thigh
- 1/4 onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup organic greek yogurt, plain
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon saffron
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 lemon, juiced
Instructions
- Trim off any fat off of the chicken.
- Add the chicken in a large tupperware container or ziplock bag.
- Add the onion, greek yogurt, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and turmeric.
- Next mix the saffron threads with warm water, mix it until it dissolves.
- Add the saffron in with the remaining ingredients and mix well either with your hands or with tongs.
- Let this sit for at least 15 minutes. However, the longer it marinates the better. Ideally, it would sit for 4 hours or even 12 hours in the fridge.
- When you are ready to cook, place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer.
- Cook at 390 fahrenheit for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through (165F).
- Serve the chicken with fresh lemon juice on top, alongside your favorite sides. I love this chicken with tzatziki and plain basmati rice.
Hey, I’m Jazz
I’m a nutritional therapist practitioner and spent 3 years as a personal chef to NBA athletes. Follow along for easy, attainable and healthy recipes in under 30 minutes!
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