Khoresh: Persian Chicken Stew with Rice & Fresh Salad
A fragrant one-pot chicken stew with aubergine and dried lime
Khoresh: Persian Chicken Stew with Rice & Fresh Salad
Traditional Persian khoresh made with chicken, aubergine and dried lime, served with moderate rice and a crisp salad. Comforting, aromatic and well-balanced.
Nutritionist’s Note
Traditional Persian stews like khoresh are naturally well-balanced — protein, vegetables and aromatics do the heavy lifting. The key is keeping the rice as a side, not the centrepiece, and loading up on the salad alongside.
Ingredients
- 120g skinless chicken breast or thigh, cut into pieces
- ½ small onion, finely chopped (about 40g)
- 1 small tomato, chopped (about 80g)
- ½ small aubergine, diced (about 80g)
- 1 tsp olive oil
- ½ tsp turmeric
- Black pepper to taste
- ½ tsp dried lime powder (optional)
- 140g cooked rice
- ¼ cucumber, sliced (about 60g)
- 1 small tomato, sliced (about 80g)
- A few lettuce leaves (about 30g)
- 2 radishes, sliced (about 20g)
- 2 tbsp plain unsweetened yogurt, optional (30g)
Method
- Heat 1 tsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over a low–medium heat. Gently cook the onion for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Add the chicken pieces, turmeric and black pepper. Cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken starts to brown on the outside.
- Add the chopped tomato and diced aubergine, followed by a small amount of water (about 100ml).
- Cover and simmer gently for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked through and tender.
- Stir in the dried lime powder (or a squeeze of fresh lime juice) towards the end for extra fragrance.
- While the stew cooks, prepare a generous fresh salad of cucumber, tomato, lettuce and radish.
- Serve the khoresh with 140g cooked rice, the fresh salad, and a little plain yogurt if desired.
Tips
- Dried lime (limoo amani) adds a distinctive sour-savoury depth — it is available from Middle Eastern grocers or online. Fresh lime juice is a good substitute.
- Keep the rice portion moderate and make the chicken, vegetables and salad the main event on the plate.
- Avoid adding sugar to the stew — tomato, herbs, turmeric and lime provide more than enough flavour.
Storage
Refrigerate the stew for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Cook fresh rice when reheating. Add yogurt and salad when serving.
Nutrition per Serving
801kcal
42gProtein
8gFibre
132gCarbs
11gFat
