Saffron Chicken Freekeh

Ingredients

• 6 chicken thighs or breasts, depending on preference
• 2 medium onions, cut into cubes
• 1 1/2 cups freekeh
• 3 cups chicken cooking stock
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 cardamom pods
• 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
• 1 teaspoon chopped ginger
• 1 teaspoon rose water
• 1 teaspoon authentic pink saffron
• Olive oil, as needed
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Chicken marinade:
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon seven-spice blend
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
• Garnish:
• Coarsely chopped parsley
• Pine nuts
• Pistachios
• Almonds
• Cashews
• or any available mixed nuts

Method

1. Soak the freekeh in water for 1 hour, then drain and set aside.
   Timers: 60 min
2. Wash the chicken, drain it, and pat it dry well, then coat it with the marinade after mixing all the ingredients together.
3. Leave the chicken marinating in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
   Timers: 120 min
4. Put a little olive oil in a pot, then add the cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, and chopped or diced onion. Stir until the onion softens.
5. Add the ginger and garlic over the onion and stir until the garlic aroma appears, then add the freekeh and stir well. Leave it over medium heat until lightly toasted, stirring from time to time.
6. In another pot, add a little olive oil to brown the chicken. Remove the pieces from the marinade and cook them in the oil over medium heat until they turn a beautiful golden color on all sides.
7. When the chicken pieces are browned on all sides, add them over the freekeh, then add the saffron and rose water and cover everything with the previously prepared chicken stock.
8. Leave the pot over high heat until the stock boils, then cover it, reduce the heat, and leave it on low for 30 minutes or until the freekeh grains are well cooked. You can add a very small amount of hot water if the freekeh is still not fully cooked after 30 minutes, then cover the pot again and leave it on low heat.
   Timers: 30 min
9. Meanwhile, fry the nuts in a little oil.
10. When the saffron chicken freekeh is cooked, serve it and garnish with the nuts and a sprinkle of chopped parsley. It can be served with salads or cucumber in yogurt.
11. Authentic Chicken Rice Tray made in a way that's even tastier ... click the link
12. Here is how to make Chicken with Green Beans by Ruwaida as well
13. Ruwaida prepares freekeh in more than one way ... click the link to make Freekeh with Meat and Rice
14. Click the link to make Bulgur with Tomato