Zereshk Polo ba Morgh (Persian Barberry Rice with Chicken)

Name: Zereshk Polo ba Morgh (Persian Barberry Rice with Chicken)
Total time: 18000 s
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 2 medium chicken legs; 1 1/2 tbsp tomato paste; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 1/4 bell pepper, finely chopped (I used a mix of yellow, orange, and red); 1 tsp ground turmeric; 1/2 tsp ground black pepper; 1/2 tsp garlic powder or 1 large garlic clove, minced; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground ginger; 1/4 tsp coriander seeds, lightly crushed (optional); 1/2 tsp salt; About 2 cups water (enough to almost cover the chicken); 1/2 tbsp lemon juice; 2 large potatoes, cut into fries and fried, for serving; 2 cups rice (preferably Persian rice); 2 tablespoons oil; to taste Salt; as needed Water; 2 tablespoons brewed saffron; as needed Cooked rice,; 2 tbsp barberries; 1/2 tsp sugar; 1 tbsp oil

Fateme Persian Kitchen @Fateme__1362

Iran ( Persia ) . Tehran

Golden saffron rice, jewel-like barberries, and tender chicken slowly simmered in a rich tomato-onion sauce... ✨

Zereshk Polo ba Morgh is one of the most iconic dishes in Persian cuisine. From family gatherings to weddings and special celebrations, this beautiful combination of fragrant saffron rice, sweet-tart barberries, and flavorful chicken has been loved for generations.

Every family has its own special touch, and this is the version I prepare at home. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. ❤️

Have you ever tried Persian Barberry Rice with Chicken?

#PersianFood #PersianCuisine #ZereshkPolo #ZereshkPoloBaMorgh #BarberryRice #SaffronRice #ChickenRecipe #MiddleEasternFood #TraditionalFood

Golden saffron rice, jewel-like barberries, and tender chicken slowly simmered in a rich tomato-onion sauce... ✨

Every family has its own special touch, and this is the version I prepare at home. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. ❤️

Have you ever tried Persian Barberry Rice with Chicken?

#PersianFood #PersianCuisine #ZereshkPolo #ZereshkPoloBaMorgh #BarberryRice #SaffronRice #ChickenRecipe #MiddleEasternFood #TraditionalFood

Fateme Persian Kitchen @Fateme__1362

Iran ( Persia ) . Tehran

Golden saffron rice, jewel-like barberries, and tender chicken slowly simmered in a rich tomato-onion sauce... ✨

Every family has its own special touch, and this is the version I prepare at home. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. ❤️

Have you ever tried Persian Barberry Rice with Chicken?

#PersianFood #PersianCuisine #ZereshkPolo #ZereshkPoloBaMorgh #BarberryRice #SaffronRice #ChickenRecipe #MiddleEasternFood #TraditionalFood

Golden saffron rice, jewel-like barberries, and tender chicken slowly simmered in a rich tomato-onion sauce... ✨

Every family has its own special touch, and this is the version I prepare at home. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. ❤️

Have you ever tried Persian Barberry Rice with Chicken?

#PersianFood #PersianCuisine #ZereshkPolo #ZereshkPoloBaMorgh #BarberryRice #SaffronRice #ChickenRecipe #MiddleEasternFood #TraditionalFood

Saved

Ingredients

About 1.5 hours

2 servings

For the Chicken 👇
2medium chicken legs
1 1/2 tbsptomato paste
2 tbspvegetable oil
1medium onion, finely chopped
1/4bell pepper, finely chopped (I used a mix of yellow, orange, and red)
1 tspground turmeric
1/2 tspground black pepper
1/2 tspgarlic powder or 1 large garlic clove, minced
1/2 tspground cinnamon
1/2 tspground ginger
1/4 tspcoriander seeds, lightly crushed (optional)
1/2 tspsalt
About 2 cups water (enough to almost cover the chicken)
1/2 tbsplemon juice
2large potatoes, cut into fries and fried, for serving
For the Kateh (Persian Rice) 👇
2 cupsrice (preferably Persian rice)
2 tablespoonsoil
to tasteSalt
as neededWater
For the Saffron Rice 👇(Optional)
2 tablespoonsbrewed saffron
as neededCooked rice,
For the Barberries 👇(Optional)
2 tbspbarberries
1/2 tspsugar
1 tbspoil

Saved

Steps

About 1.5 hours

1

Zereshk Polo ba Morgh is one of the most beloved dishes in Persian cuisine. It is often served at family gatherings, celebrations, weddings, and special occasions, although many families also enjoy it as a comforting weekend meal.
2

The dish combines fragrant saffron rice with bright red barberries, creating a beautiful balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. The chicken is slowly cooked in a rich tomato-onion sauce infused with warm spices, then often lightly pan-fried again before serving to give it a beautiful golden color.
3

Although there are many regional and family variations, this is the version I prepare at home.
4

Prepare the Chicken 👇
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the chicken legs and simmer for about 5 minutes per side. This step helps remove any raw odor and results in a cleaner-tasting sauce.
5

Drain the chicken, rinse it under cold water, and discard the boiling water.
6

Heat the oil in a clean pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and lightly golden.
7

Add the bell pepper and cook for another 2–3 minutes. If using carrot, add the sliced carrot at this stage and cook briefly until slightly softened.
8

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2–3 minutes, until its color deepens.
9

Add the turmeric, black pepper, garlic, cinnamon, ginger, crushed coriander seeds (if using), and salt. Stir for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Avoid overcooking the spices, as they can burn and become bitter.
10

Pour in 1 cup of water and the lemon juice, then stir well to combine.
11

Meanwhile, lightly brown the chicken in a separate pan with a little oil. This step is optional but gives the chicken a richer color and flavor.
12

Arrange the browned chicken in the sauce. If using chicken breast, cut it into smaller pieces before cooking to help keep it tender.
13

Add enough additional water to almost cover the chicken.
Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer gently until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
14

While the chicken cooks, occasionally spoon some of the sauce over the chicken to keep it moist and evenly coated.
15

For a more traditional presentation, lightly pan-fry the cooked chicken once more before serving until the skin is golden and slightly crisp.
16

Serve the chicken with the sauce on the side or spoon the sauce over the chicken before serving.
17

For the Barberries 👇
Sauté the barberries with the sugar in the oil over low heat for about 30–60 seconds, just until they become glossy. Do not overcook, as barberries burn easily.
18

Tahchin Tahdig (Persian Saffron Rice Crust) 👇
For detailed instructions, please refer to the Tahchin Tahdig recipe.

Tahchin Tahdig (Persian Saffron Rice Crust)
19

Kateh (Persian Rice) 👇
For detailed instructions, please refer to the Kateh recipe.

Persian Kateh (Steamed Persian Rice)
20

Shirazi Salad 👇(Optional)
For detailed instructions, please refer to the Shirazi Salad recipe.

Shirazi Salad (Persian Cucumber and Tomato Salad)
21

Saffron Rice 👇
For detailed instructions, please refer to the Saffron Rice recipe. (Saffron rice is mostly used for special occasions and gatherings to make the dish look more appealing. For everyday home meals, it’s completely optional.)

Persian Saffron Rice (for Garnishing Rice Dishes)
22

Notes👇
I used 1½ tablespoons of a concentrated tomato paste. Tomato paste varies in thickness and concentration between brands and countries, so adjust the amount as needed to achieve your preferred color and tomato flavor.

Linked Recipes

Tahchin Tahdig (Persian Saffron Rice Crust)

Persian Kateh (Steamed Persian Rice)

Shirazi Salad (Persian Cucumber and Tomato Salad)

Persian Saffron Rice (for Garnishing Rice Dishes)

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Cooksnaps

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Fateme Persian Kitchen @Fateme__1362

on July 02, 2026 10:47

Iran ( Persia ) . Tehran

Hi, I’m Fateme 👩‍🍳A home cook sharing traditional Persian recipes made simple.From stews to rice dishes, everything is explained step by step.Discover more on my Persian cooking page 👇 @Fateme_1362