The juiciest, garlicky, citrusy chicken with a hint of saffron: Fool-proof Joojeh, Persian-style barbecue chicken. Using the grill to sear but finishing in the oven allows for total control. Gluten-Free.
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The first time I tasted this style of chicken, Joojeh, I had to get the recipe. We were at a family friend’s home and they used a charcoal grill they had made themselves. Long and slender, it fit the 20+ large kebab skewers that lay upon it perfectly. I asked how to make it and I received a list of ingredients without measurements, a non-recipe of sorts. Over the years I’ve been working on getting it right, and I’ve realized that with these ingredients, it’s hard to get it wrong. In conclusion, when following this recipe, use the measurements as a guide. While the measurements do not need to be precise, the method for cooking joojeh is important. I love the skewer method of cooking joojeh, but for this recipe I wanted a quick-prep version and fool-proof juicy chicken which is why I opted out of using skewers. Now, on to the good stuff…
Tips for making Joojeh, Persian-Style Barbecue Chicken
Marinade 2-8 hours. The marinade contains yogurt so do not exceed 8 hours marinade time or you will end up with mushy chicken. However, you may prepare the marinade sans chicken in advance and it will keep up to 5 days.
Sear-Only on the Grill. In this recipe, I use a method to sear the meat on the grill and finish in the oven to reduce the total cook-time. This is so that you get the smokey flavor that you want in barbecue chicken, without drying out the chicken when you’re in a hurry.
Transfer to the Oven. By transferring the seared chicken into a preheated oven you are able to manage the heat better and it results in juicy chicken with a faster cook-time than spending hours overseeing the grill.
Finish with Saffron Butter. Using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder, grind 1/8 tsp saffron to a powder. Melt 2 Tbsp butter and add the saffron powder. Brush the cooked chicken with this just before serving.
How to Find Ingredients for Fool-Proof Joojeh:
Sour Oranges. For years I used a 50/50 blend of fresh squeezed orange juice and lemon juice thinking that sour oranges are only available in other countries. During the pandemic I turned to online grocery shopping and found a great variety of organic citrus through Good Eggs. I love their selection and their service is amazing. If you cannot find sour oranges, I suggest using the 50/50 blend.
Saffron. This ingredient is not hard to find – even Costco sells organic saffron – but it can be expensive. Use rosewater or ground rose petals as a replacement or forego the saffron altogether, it will still taste delicious!
Health Talk
Please take my advice like you do from a friend, not your doctor as I am not a doctor, dietitian or nutritionist. I am just someone with a passion for health and cooking and my hope is to bring you information that will help you live a health-filled life.
Joojeh, Persian-style barbecue chicken is loaded with protein and contains the anti-inflammatory powerhouse turmeric and black pepper. A 2 piece serving offers 100% of your daily value (DV) protein, 10%DV protein, and 14%DV iron. It also contains 80%DV cholesterol so make sure you stick to the serving size or if cholesterol is an issue for you, opt for chicken breasts in place of dark meat. As with anything, moderation is key.
Chicken is a great source of protein and is relatively low in fat, especially if you opt for the breast and eat it skin-free. It also contains essential vitamins and nutrients, including vitamin B12 & B6, zinc, iron, and copper.
Print
Fool-Proof Joojeh, Persian-style barbecue chicken
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 Servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Multi
- Cuisine: Persian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
The juiciest, garlicky, citrusy chicken with a hint of saffron: Fool-proof Joojeh, Persian-style barbecue chicken. Using the grill to sear but finishing in the oven allows for total control. Gluten-Free.
Ingredients
- 4 lbs chicken (I used drumsticks but you can use any parts)
- 1 yellow onion
- 10 garlic cloves
- 1 1/2 tsp fresh ginger or 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 Tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup sour orange juice, or 50/50 lemon and orange juice
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil for grill
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1/8 tsp saffron threads ground
- optional: ground sumac
Instructions
- Add 1 yellow onion, 10 garlic cloves, 1 1/2 tsp fresh ginger, 1 Tbsp ground cumin, 2 tsp ground turmeric, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, 1 1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/3 cup sour orange juice, 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt to blender and purée until smooth.
- Place raw chicken in large bowl and cover with marinade, ensuring it gets on every part. Cover and refrigerate 2-8 hours. Remove from fridge one hour before cooking to remove chill.
- Melt 2 Tbsp butter and mix with 1/8 tsp ground saffron threads. Set aside
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Fire up the barbecue and get temperature to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Place chicken on grill and sear each side (about 2-3 minutes each side) and place on a sheet pan.
- Brush chicken with butter saffron. Transfer to oven and cook an additional 30-40 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit for breasts and 180 degrees Fahrenheit for thighs and legs including drumsticks
Notes
Serve with salad and parboiled basmati rice. Optional: sprinkle chicken and rice with ground sumac.
Sour Oranges. For years I used a 50/50 blend of fresh squeezed orange juice and lemon juice thinking that sour oranges are only available in other countries. During the pandemic I turned to online grocery shopping and found a great variety of organic citrus through Good Eggs. I love their selection and their service is amazing. If you cannot find sour oranges, I suggest using the 50/50 blend.
Saffron. This ingredient is not hard to find – even Costco sells organic saffron – but it can be expensive. Use rosewater or ground rose petals as a replacement or forego the saffron altogether, it will still taste delicious!
Keywords: Joojeh, Persian, Barbecue Chicken, Persian Chicken, Persian-style chicken, fool-proof chicken
Resources
For more information on the health benefits of chicken, check out these great sources:
WebMD, Chicken: Health Benefits
Healthline, Is Chicken Good For You?
