Joojeh Kabob: A Taste of Persian Sunshine on Your Plate
A flavorful and tender Persian Saffron and Yogurt Chicken Kabob recipe. Marinated overnight for maximum flavor, this dish is a taste of sunshine on your plate!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Main Dishes
Ingredients
2 ¼ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch cubes
1 pinch saffron threads (about 10 threads) or ¼ teaspoon of ground saffron
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 large garlic clove, crushed or minced
Juice from 1 large lemon
⅓ cup Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon tomato purée
½ teaspoon turmeric
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Finely chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Bloom the saffron. Grind the saffron threads until powdered. Stir ¼ teaspoon of the ground saffron with 3 tablespoons of water. Allow to bloom for 10 minutes.
Make the marinade. In a large bowl, combine the sliced onion, garlic, lemon juice, yogurt, olive oil, tomato purée, turmeric, and bloomed saffron water. Stir to combine.
Add the chicken. Place the chicken into the bowl with the marinade and season with salt and pepper. Massage the marinade into the chicken.
Leave to marinate. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Skewer the chicken. Remove chicken from the fridge, shake off excess marinade, and thread onto soaked skewers. (Discard marinade and onions.)
Grill. Lightly oil and heat a gas grill or griddle to medium-high heat. Grill, turning, until cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. The internal temperature should register 165°F.
Serve. Place the cooked Joojeh Kabobs on a serving dish and sprinkle with finely chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Notes
For best results, use high-quality saffron.
Soaking the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling will prevent them from burning.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Serve with Persian Rice with Potato Tahdig and Persian Shirazi Salad for a complete meal.
Don't be afraid to experiment with the spices! A pinch of Aleppo pepper or cardamom can add a lovely depth of flavor.
Nutrition
- Calories: 251.7kcal
- Fat: 9.2g
- Carbohydrates: 2.6g
- Protein: 37.5g