Walnut Chicken Strips With Pomegranate Sauce Recipes

FESENJAN (PERSIAN POMEGRANATE CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Toast and grind the walnuts: You can toast the walnuts in one of two ways. You can either spread them out in a single layer in a large skillet, and toast them on medium high heat, stirring frequently until lightly toasted, OR you can spread them out in a single layer in a baking rimmed baking sheet, and toast at 350°F in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes. In either case, once toasted, remove from heat and allow to cool. Once cool enough to handle, pulse in a food processor or blender until finely ground.
• Brown the chicken pieces on all sides: In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 2 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. When the butter has melted, pat the chicken pieces dry again and place the chicken pieces in the pan, working in batches if necessary to not crowd the pan, and cook until golden brown on all sides. Sprinkle the chicken with salt while they are cooking.
• Sauté the onions: Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the chicken from the pan, set aside. Add a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of oil to the pan. Lower the heat to medium low. Add chopped onions to the pan and sauté until translucent, stirring on occasion to release the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Add chicken and stock: Return the chicken pieces to the pan with the onions. Pour 2 cups of chicken stock over the chicken and onions. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and simmer gently for 30 minutes.
• Add ground walnuts, pomegranate molasses, sugar, spices, cover and cook: Stir in the ground walnuts, pomegranate molasses, sugar, and spices. Cover and cook on very low heat for 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes or so to prevent the walnuts from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat and adjust sugar/salt to taste. At this point the chicken should be fall apart tender.
• Serve: Garnish with pomegranate seeds. Serve over parsi pulao or other favorite rice. Links: Slow cooker pomegranate chicken salad from Lydia of The Perfect Pantry

WALNUT CHICKEN WITH POMEGRANATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Finely chop walnuts with flour in processor. Transfer to plate. Pound chicken between sheets of waxed paper to 1/4-inch thickness. Dip chicken into beaten egg, then into walnut mixture to coat. Melt 1 tablespoon butter with 1 tablespoon oil in large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to plate; tent with foil to keep warm.
• Boil wine and shallots in heavy small saucepan until most of wine has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Add broth, pomegranate juice, pomegranate molasses and honey. Boil until reduced to 3/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Whisk in remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Season sauce with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce over chicken. Sprinkle with chives and serve.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH WALNUT-POMEGRANATE SAUCE

Steps:

• For Sauce: Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions; sauté 5 minutes. Add walnuts. Sauté until nuts are slightly darkened, about 12 minutes. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer until sauce thickens, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made one day ahead. Cover; chill. Rewarm, thinning with more broth if desired.).
• For Chicken: Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Mix molasses and cinnamon. Brush chicken with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook chicken glazing in the last minutes of cooking.

WALNUT CHICKEN STRIPS WITH POMEGRANATE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare the chicken strips: On a work surface, place chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap or wax paper. Using smooth side of a meat mallet, flatten to an even 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into 1/2-by-3-inch strips.
• Place walnuts, flour, salt, cinnamon, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Process until finely chopped and well combined; transfer to a shallow bowl. Pour cream into another shallow bowl.
• Dip chicken strips in cream with one hand, letting excess drip off; using your other hand, dredge in flour mixture, turning to coat both sides, and tapping off excess. Place on a baking sheet.
• Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add chicken strips; cook, turning occasionally, until golden brown all over, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Wipe skillet with paper towels, and repeat with remaining chicken, adding 2 tablespoons oil with each batch.
• Transfer baking sheet with chicken to the oven, and bake until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce: Melt butter in a clean skillet over medium heat. Add shallots and walnuts, and cook until shallots are tender and nuts are golden, about 2 minutes. Add wine; cook until most of the liquid has evaporated. Add 1 1/4 cups chicken stock, and pomegranate juice and molasses. Raise heat to medium-high; cook until liquid is reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup chicken stock and flour until well combined. Stir into sauce, and simmer until thickened, about 1 minute more. Stir in pomegranate seeds, and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with chicken strips.