Aromatic Azerbaijani Chicken Stew

Ingredients

• 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) chicken, cut into pieces 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 onions, finely chopped 2 onions, finely chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
• 2 cups (470ml) chicken broth 2 cups (470ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240ml) tomato puree 1 cup (240ml) tomato puree
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 8g, 3g
• Protein: 38g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat the vegetable oil and butter in a large pot over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until they turn golden brown.
3. 3.
   Add the chicken pieces to the pot and cook until they are lightly browned on all sides.
4. 4.
   In a small bowl, mix together the ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, and saffron threads.
5. 5.
   Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken and stir well to coat the chicken evenly.
6. 6.
   Pour in the chicken broth and tomato puree, and stir to combine.
7. 7.
   Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
8. 8.
   Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. 9.
   Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Saffron — To enhance the flavor and aroma of saffron, soak the threads in a tablespoon of warm water for 10 minutes before adding them to the stew.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to the spice mixture.
• Serve the stew with steamed basmati rice or warm crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
• If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little water and stir it into the stew during the last few minutes of cooking.

Serving advice

Serve the aromatic Azerbaijani chicken stew hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley. Accompany it with fluffy rice or warm bread to fully enjoy the flavors.

Presentation advice

Present the stew in a deep serving dish, allowing the vibrant colors of the saffron-infused sauce to shine through. Sprinkle some additional saffron threads on top for an elegant touch.