Pomegranate Stew with Chicken (Khoresh Fesenjan)
Khoresh Fesenjan is a rich Persian chicken stew built around finely ground toasted walnuts and tangy pomegranate juice, with onion, cardamom, and optional sugar balancing the sauce. The mixture simmers until thick, creating a deep, sweet-tart flavor that pairs naturally with saffron-steamed basmati rice for a warming main course.
- Prep15 mins
- Cook2 hrs 30 mins
- Serves6
- DifficultyEasy
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Pomegranate Stew with Chicken (Khoresh Fesenjan), not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactPoor
- 29 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 11 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 73 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 70
- Heart Health
- 53
- Metabolic
- 10
- Digestive
- 35
- Inflammatory
- 15
- Performance
- 46
- General Wellness
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and onions to the skillet and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in pureed walnuts, salt, pomegranate juice, and cardamom. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. If the sauce becomes too thick, stir in warm water. Stir in sugar, adjust the seasoning, and simmer for 30 minutes more.
- 2
Add the chicken and the onions to the skillet, and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 3
Stir in the pureed walnuts, salt, pomegranate juice, and cardamom.
- 4
Bring the mixture to a boil.
- 5
Lower the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. If the sauce gets too thick, stir in 1/4 cup warm water.
- 6
Stir in the sugar, adjust the seasoning, and simmer for 30 minutes more.
- Calories 540.49 kcal High 27%
- Protein 34.83 g Good Source 70%
- Carbohydrate 36.32 g 13%
- Total Fat 29.65 g High 38%
- Saturated Fat 2.57 g Moderate 13%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 82.79 mg High 28%
- Sodium 68.23 mg Low Source 3%
- Dietary Fiber 3.13 g Moderate 11%
- Total Sugars 27.88 g --
- Added Sugars 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Calcium 48.28 mg Low Source 4%
- Iron 1.81 mg Moderate 10%
- Potassium 989.0 mg Good Source 21%
- Vitamin A 11.82 mcg Low Source 1%
- Vitamin C 0.63 mg Low Source 1%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Tree Nuts 🌰
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Pomegranate Stew with Chicken (Khoresh Fesenjan) is a Persian dinner recipe made with 8 ingredients. It takes about 2 hrs 45 mins, serves 6, and is rated easy. Key ingredients include Chicken Leg Quarters, Ground Cardamom, Olive Oil, and Pomegranate Juice. Each serving provides about 540.49 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Pomegranate Stew with Chicken (Khoresh Fesenjan)?
- It is a Persian stew recipe made with 8 ingredients, usually served for dinner or lunch or soup.
- What is Pomegranate Stew with Chicken (Khoresh Fesenjan) made of?
- The main ingredients are Chicken Leg Quarters, Ground Cardamom, Olive Oil, Pomegranate Juice, Salt. The full list of 8 is above.
- What goes well with Pomegranate Stew with Chicken (Khoresh Fesenjan)?
- Explore these Persian side-dish recipes.
- How long does it take to make Pomegranate Stew with Chicken (Khoresh Fesenjan)?
- About 2 hrs 45 mins in total: 15 mins to prepare and 2 hrs 30 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 540.49 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Pomegranate Stew with Chicken (Khoresh Fesenjan) easy to make?
- This recipe is rated easy, with 8 ingredients and 6 steps.
- Is Pomegranate Stew with Chicken (Khoresh Fesenjan) healthy?
- Pomegranate Stew with Chicken (Khoresh Fesenjan) has an easyChef Pro health score of 38/100. Per serving, it provides 540.49 calories and 34.83 g of protein, or 70% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of potassium. Worth noting per serving: saturated fat at 2.57 g (13% of the Daily Value). It contains Tree Nuts and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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