Fesenjān
Persian Pomegranate Walnut Stew
A rich and festive Persian stew featuring tender chicken simmered in a luxurious sauce made from ground walnuts and pomegranate molasses. This dish is a classic for special occasions, balancing sweet, sour, and savory flavors.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Chicken pieces
- 300 g Walnuts
- 150 ml Pomegranate molasses
- 2 Yellow onion
- 2 tbsp Granulated sugar
- 1 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil or Ghee
- 500 ml Water
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the walnuts: Finely grind the walnuts in a food processor until they resemble a coarse meal. Be careful not to over-process into a paste. Toast the ground walnuts in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for about 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant and slightly darkened. This step is crucial for developing their flavor. Set aside.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 2
Sear the chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Do not overcrowd the pot. Remove the browned chicken and set aside.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 3
Sauté the onions: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil or ghee to the same pot. Add the grated or minced onion and sauté over medium heat until softened and translucent, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in the turmeric powder and cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Build the sauce: Add the toasted ground walnuts to the pot with the onions. Stir well to combine. Pour in the pomegranate molasses and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes to lightly toast the walnuts and molasses mixture. This helps deepen the flavor and color.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Simmer the stew: Return the seared chicken pieces to the pot. Add the water, sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir everything together. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Slow cook to perfection: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and let the stew simmer gently for at least 2 hours, or until the chicken is very tender and the sauce has thickened considerably. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The sauce should reduce and darken, and a layer of oil may separate from the surface, indicating it's ready. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more sugar if it's too tart or a pinch more salt if needed.
⏱️ 2 hours - 7
Rest and serve: Once cooked, let the Fesenjān rest off the heat for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld further. Serve hot, traditionally with fluffy Persian rice (chelow or polo).
⏱️ 15 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to a great Fesenjān is balancing the sweet and sour notes. Adjust the sugar and pomegranate molasses to your preference.
- ✓The stew should have a deep, rich, dark brown color. If it's too light, you can simmer it uncovered for a bit longer to reduce the sauce.
- ✓Fesenjān is often considered a celebratory dish, perfect for holidays and special gatherings.
- ✓For an even richer flavor, you can toast the walnuts in an oven at 180°C (350°F) for 8-10 minutes until fragrant.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Use duck pieces instead of chicken for a richer, gamier flavor.
- Form the meat into small meatballs (koofteh) and simmer them in the sauce.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or saffron for added complexity.