Best Recipe Using Saffron

If you like the distinctive flavor of saffron, this Saffron Chicken with Parsley and Lemon is a traditional way to use it, and this delicious chicken is a classic dish!

Have you ever cooked with saffron? It’s widely acknowledged to be the most expensive spice in the world, but you only need a tiny pinch to add delicious flavor to famous dishes like Paella and Saffron Rice. And one of the most traditional dishes made with saffron is this delicious Saffron Chicken with Parsley and Lemon which I first tasted when my Iranian friend Massoud made it for me many years ago.

Today I’m excited to be updating this popular recipe with better photos, and a few minor changes that I think make this recipe a bit more authentic. I decided it was a sign that I should update the recipe after my friend Mary Caputo brought me some Saffron from Turkey, thanks Mary!

Expensive, Gorgeous, Perplexing: How To Cook With Saffron

Saffron is probably an acquired taste, but people crave it all over the middle east, and I think the saffron flavor is so delicious in this Saffron Chicken.

(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

When I first made this recipe for the blog I consulted Mark Bittman’s The Best Recipes in the World (affiliate link) and tried to remember how Massoud had done it. And in those days I made the recipe with cut pieces of chicken breast, which was not traditional but still tasty if that’s what you prefer. For the updated version I did a little more online research and ended up using chicken thighs for a more authentic Saffron Chicken recipe.

Crispy Chicken And Saffron Rice Skillet

There are a few reasons why Saffron is so expensive. First it’s very labor-intensive to harvest. It comes from the stigmas of the crocus plant, and each flower only produces three threads, so it might take thousands of flowers to get just one ounce of saffron. Also, the saffron threads are delicate, so they have to be harvested by hand. Be cautious when buying Saffron, because if it’s too inexpensive it may not be good quality or could have other spices mixed in. If you want to learn a lot more about saffron, check out my friend Lydia’s great post about it at The Perfect Pantry.

The flavor is not exactly the same of course, but the spice that is most recommended as a replacement for Saffron is Ground Turmeric (affiliate link), which is what gives curry powder the yellow color. This will give your chicken a nice flavor and the traditional golden color that you get from Saffron.

If you’re interested in another amazing recipe with saffron, you may enjoy trying Salmon Packets with Tomatoes and Olives, which is something I’ve made many times for guests..

Best Saffron Rice Recipe

(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)

This Saffron Chicken would be delicious with Roasted Cauliflower with Parmesan, Garlic-Roasted Green Beans with Shallots and Almonds, Cauliflower Rice with Garlic and Green Onions, Roasted Turnips, or Stir-Fried Spinach with Garlic and Parmesan for a low-carb meal.

I would always use my homemade chicken stock if I had some in the freezer, but canned chicken broth will be fine for this. I would use my fresh-frozen lemon juice.

Fragrant Saffron Recipes To Spice Up Your Life

Nutrition information is automatically calculated by the Recipe Plug-In I am using. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee 100% accuracy, since many variables affect those calculations.

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This recipe would be suitable for low-carb, Keto, low-glycemic, and gluten-free diets. Saffron Chicken with Parsley and Lemon made with boneless-skinless chicken breasts would be approved for any phase of the original South Beach diet. South Beach would prefer limited amounts of butter, but you could use more butter if you’re following a low-carb/high-fat eating plan.

Popular Indian Recipes With Saffron, Top 10 Saffron Recipes, Saffron Rice To Kesar Kulfi

Use Chicken Recipes to find more recipes like this one.Use the Recipes by Diet Type photo index pages to find more recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

This Saffron Chicken recipe was first posted in 2005, probably without a single photo. The photo above is from 2011, and can you tell I tried to make the new photos similar since this recipe has been so popular. The recipe was updated with new photos and better instructions in 2023.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.Justina Huddleston is a food writer living in Los Angeles. When she's not busy writing, she spends her time in the kitchen creating both virtuous and decidedly junky vegan food. Buffalo chickpea pizza, anyone? She's also been known to eat a plain block of tofu or beans straight out of the can for lunch, but somehow those culinary adventures don't make it to her Instagram. You can follow Justina on Twitter or see what's cooking in her kitchen on her blog, A Life of Little Pleasures.

Delicious Recipes With Saffron To Make Your Mouth Water

We're always looking for easy meal upgrades that make cooking satisfying weeknight meals a no-brainer. Sometimes that means trying a new technique, like pressure cooking; other times it means introducing a new spice, like ginger. But nothing makes a meal feel instantly more elegant and refined than just a pinch of saffron. The stamens of crocus plants, saffron threads are hand-picked, and a little pricy, but totally worth it. Just a pinch of saffron lends a unique aroma and irresistible flavor to the 12 recipes below.

Chicken and rice is always a comforting dish, but in this case, it gets a little fancier. This chicken pilaf dish is infused with saffron, then tossed with dried fruits, cashews, and herbs to make a more complex dish. (via Nutrizonia)

Homemade tagliatelle will change your pasta game forever. Pair it with a flavorful zucchini sauté that will complement but not overwhelm the tender noodles. (via Healthy World Cuisine)

Saffron Recipes & Menu Ideas

This fresh rice and chicken dish is a one-pot cook, making it super easy to bring the heat even if you don't have a lot of time. (via Cilantro Parsley)

Boneless pork chops are a go-to weeknight option, thanks to their quick cooking time and big flavor. A creamy sauce elevates the dish so it tastes like more than just a quick meal. (via Italian Recipe Book)

Move over clam chowder — there's a better soup on the table. A saffron-infused fish stock is the base of this elegant stew made with shrimp, flaky white fish, and mussels. (via Family Style Food)

Simple Saffron Risotto

Sautéed eggplant and bell pepper add hearty texture to this pasta recipe. Add some chicken on the side for extra protein, and pine nuts on top for crunch. (via Pinch Me I'm Eating)

Use a blend of healthy whole grains to make this pilaf. Nuts, fruits, and spices keep each bite interesting within this comfort meal. (via At the Corner of Happy and Harried)

Chicken thighs become meltingly tender when gently cooked in a tagine or Dutch oven. Marinating them before they cook in a blend of aromatics will pack each bite full of flavor. Top this simple dish with olives and preserved lemons for the ultimate dinner. (via White Plate Blank Slate)

Easy Saffron Recipes

Flavors of saffron, red wine, cinnamon, and turmeric come together in this layered Greek dish. It also features eggplant, ground turkey, veggies, and a creamy topping of potatoes and cheesy yogurt. (via Simply Sophisticated Cooking)

Crispy angel hair pasta delicately cradles crab meat to make these delicious seafood cakes. The accompanying saffron aioli is so good, you'll want to put it on everything. (via Rhubarb and Cod)

This hearty risotto dish comes together in under an hour, and is definitely going to impress anyone with its deep saffron and mushroom flavors. (via Chef Bai)

Saffron Recipes, Benefits, How To Buy

Curry dishes are a super cozy option during the winter months. Try out this abridged version of Rogan Josht for bold flavors that come together in a pinch. (via A Spicy Perspective)

You had us at fries. This crunchy combo is the perfect side dish that delivers a kick of saffron. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Dig into some comforting flavors and a unique texture with this caramelized basmati and saffron rice dish. Serve as a side or main dish and simply enjoy! (via Feel Good Foodie)

Moroccan Saffron Chicken Recipe

We adore a pasta dish. Try out this noodle-based paella recipe that embraces seafood flavors perfect for the summer. (via Cilantro Parsley)Chicken breasts, cooked in a creamy saffron sauce with spinach, deserve a place on your table! Explore the flavours of