Two Years Ago: Flax Seed Crackers
This is hands-down my all-time favorite grilled chicken recipe. It's slightly adapted from Steve Raichlen, the BBQ Guru, and he states "this will be one of the quickest, easiest and most delectable recipes you will ever prepare". He's not kidding, either. The yogurt helps the chicken stay moist while the lemon, onion and saffron give it the most heavenly flavor. Just be aware that the chicken needs to marinate overnight, so plan ahead. After that it's really fast so it would make a good weeknight meal.
Because of the yogurt, the marinade is unusually thick but that's a good thing. In addition to wonderful flavor, the saffron gives the chicken a beautiful yellow color.
If you haven't purchased saffron before you need to know that it's expensive, but you don't need much. And it's SO worth it. Do give this recipe a try - you won't be disappointed. One last thought - I want to try this recipe for chicken as the base for an exotic chicken salad sandwich with toasted almonds, currants, and a light lemon dressing in pitas. I bet it would be a knockout, so make some extra chicken and give it a try. (I wasn't smart enough this time.)
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Persian Grilled Chicken with Saffron
Serves 6-8
Note that the
chicken marinates overnight so be sure to plan ahead.
½ teaspoon saffron
1 ½ cups plain yogurt
½ cup fresh lemon juice
1 onion, finely chopped (about 2 cups)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1½“cubes
For the basting mixture:
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
¼ teaspoon saffron
3 tablespoons butter
Lemon wedges, for serving, optional
For the chicken:
place the saffron in a mortar and pestle and pulverize to a powder. Transfer the saffron to a gallon zip-top
plastic bag and add one tablespoon of warm water. Massage the water and saffron together, then
let stand for 5 minutes. Add the yogurt,
lemon juice, onion, salt, and pepper and massage the bag again to mix
everything together. Add the chicken
cubes and seal the bag, then massage again to coat the chicken evenly. Place in the refrigerator overnight.
Preheat a grill to medium-high.
Prepare the basting mixture: pulverize the saffron as
described above. Gently warm the lemon
juice in a small saucepan, add the saffron and let stand off the heat for five
minutes. Add the butter and gently warm
the mixture until the butter melts.
Grill the chicken about 4-5 minutes, basting with the
butter mixture, then turn over and grill for 2-3 minutes more while basting
until the chicken is cooked through.
Serve with optional lemon wedges.
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