Tahchin with Chicken serving idea

From pantry to table

Tahchin with Chicken recipe

Golden saffron rice, tender chicken and a crisp crust, finished with tangy barberries.

Serves 4 | Prep 25 minutes | Cook about 1 hour 45 minutes | Plus 30 minutes soaking and 10 minutes resting

Ingredients

300 g basmati or Persian long-grain rice
500 g boneless chicken thighs
1 onion, quartered
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp saffron threads, finely crushed, steeped in 30 ml hot water for 10 minutes
200 g thick plain yoghurt
2 egg yolks
60 ml neutral cooking oil, divided
25 g butter, divided
30 g dried barberries, rinsed and drained
Salt, to taste, plus salt for the rice water
Optional: 1 tsp sugar for the barberries; 1 tsp rose water; 15 g slivered pistachios

Step-by-step method

Rinse the rice, cover with water and soak for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, put the chicken, onion, turmeric and pepper in a saucepan with 500 ml water and a little salt. Simmer gently for 25–35 minutes, until the chicken reaches 75°C in its thickest part. Lift out, cool briefly and shred; discard the onion.
Heat the oven to 180°C conventional (160°C fan). Grease a 20–22 cm deep ovenproof dish with 15 ml of the oil and 15 g butter. Boil the drained rice in plenty of salted water for 5–7 minutes: the outside should soften while the centre stays firm. Drain well and let steam escape for a few minutes.
Whisk the yoghurt, yolks, saffron water, remaining 45 ml oil and 1/2 tsp salt. Stir in the rose water if using, then gently fold through the rice.
Press half the rice into the dish. Spread the chicken over it, keeping it away from the edges, and cover with the remaining rice. Press gently and cover tightly with foil.
Bake for 65–80 minutes, until the edges are deep golden and the centre is thoroughly hot and set. Rest for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge and carefully invert onto a serving plate using oven gloves.
Warm the remaining 10 g butter in a small pan. Toss in the drained barberries and optional sugar for 1–2 minutes over low heat. Spoon over the tahchin and add optional pistachios.

Shopping notes & alternatives

Shopping labels: Rice and saffron are essential. Turmeric and pepper season this chicken version. Barberries are the traditional finishing touch. Rose water and pistachios are optional. Buy chicken, onion, yoghurt, eggs, oil, butter and salt separately if unavailable in the Ilex catalogue. Allergens: milk, egg; pistachio garnish contains nuts.

Shop the pantry ingredients

Choose one suitable product for each ingredient. Pack sizes and alternatives are not additional recipe quantities. Check product labels for ingredients and allergens.

Saffron is essential for this Tahchin recipe. View genuine Saharkhiz saffron in 1 g, 0.5 g or 4 g packs. Check each product page for current availability; unavailable items may not appear in the shopping grid.

Tahchin Ingredients

“Magic Premium White Basmati Rice 5kg (berenj)” has been added to your cart. View cart

Find rice, barberries and selected pantry ingredients for tahchin. Choose items for your own recipe and add fresh ingredients and any other seasonings separately.

Bestaste Premium Quality Barberry 250g

Dried Fruit

Bestaste Premium Quality Barberry 200g (Zereshk)

$15.21

Askari Shomal Persian Style Rice Extra Long 5kg

Gheymeh Ingredients

Askari Shomal Persian Style Rice Extra Long 5kg (Berenj)

$32.00

Rose Distilled Water Kambiz 400ml (golab)

Rose & Herbal Waters

Rose Distilled Water Kambiz 450ml (golab)

$8.00

Saharkhiz Saffron 2g

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Saharkhiz Saffron 2g (zafferan)

$28.75

Saffron Saharkhiz 1g (zaeferan)

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Saffron Saharkhiz 1g (zaeferan)

$16.10

Turmeric Powder Lunex 400g (Zardchoobeh)

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Turmeric Powder Lunex 400g (Zardchoobeh)

$12.00

Black Pepper Powder Lunex 400g (felfel Siyah)

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Black Pepper Powder Lunex 400g (felfel Siyah)

$12.00

Saffron Saharkhiz 5g (zaeferan)

Gheymeh Ingredients

Saffron Saharkhiz 5g (zaferan)

$66.00

Magic Premium White Basmati Rice 5kg

Gheymeh Ingredients

Magic Premium White Basmati Rice 5kg (berenj)

$47.23

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