This delightful dish fuses succulent chicken with aromatic spices and the tangy sweetness of pomegranate, all enhanced by the magic of olive oil. The luscious sauce created by the olive oil coats every bite, adding a unique depth of flavor that makes it truly stand out. The addition of sumac and pomegranate bursts with flavor and color, resulting in a dish that is sweet, sour, spicy, and savory all at once.
You can serve this dish with some rice or bread to soak up the sauce, or with some salad or roasted vegetables to make it a complete meal.
Preparation time: 15 minutes, plus the marinating time of at least 3 hours.
Cooking time: 30 minutes.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
- 8 large bone-in chicken thighs or a whole chicken (about 3 lbs | 1.4 kg), cut into 8 pieces
- 3 tablespoons Al Jouf organic olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the marinade
- 3 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons ground sumac
- 2 large garlic cloves, crushed or grated
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chili flakes (adjust according to your spice level)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For garnish
- Fresh parsley leaves
- Pomegranate seeds
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, whisk together all the marinade ingredients until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss well to coat them with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or up to 24 hours.
- When you are ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- Arrange the chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, skin side up. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with the sesame seeds. Season with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. The internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken should be 165°F (74°C).
- Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and garnish with parsley leaves and pomegranate seeds.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Per serving:
- Calories: 375 kcal
- Fat: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Protein: 32 g
