Grilled to perfection, this saffron chicken is the juiciest chicken you will eat. Deceptively easy to make, serve it with a delicious green sauce for the ultimate dinner.
We love cooking with chicken.
It’s versatile, affordable, and pretty much a blank canvas. Some of our favorite chicken recipes include Tuscan chicken, baked chicken legs, Peruvian chicken, and this gorgeous chicken with saffron.
Why this recipe works
- Takes 20 minutes to cook. Marinate the chicken a few hours in advance and this takes barely any time to cook!
- High-protein and healthy. Grilling chicken is one of the healthiest and most delicious ways to cook it. The addition of Greek yogurt adds extra protein, too!
- Pairs with a range of dishes. This is a very versatile dish. You can serve it with rice, roasted vegetables, fresh salads, and pasta, as well as use it to make sandwiches and wraps.
What I love about this saffron-marinated chicken is just how fancy it tastes! Honestly, this is the kind of chicken dish I’d expect at restaurants!
Ingredients needed
Besides the saffron and chicken, there really isn’t much else that goes into this recipe. Here is what you’ll need:
- Saffron. Saffron is the main ingredient of this dish. It is very mild yet fragrant. I use saffron threads for this grilled chicken recipe to give the chicken an appetizing golden look and a delicate floral aroma.
- Chicken. I prefer using a mix of different chicken cuts for this recipe, including skin-on thighs, drumsticks, and legs. Feel free to solely use chicken breasts.
- Yogurt. The yogurt-based marinade tenderizes the chicken gently and effectively. Yogurt also gives the chicken a nice tangy flavor.
- Garlic. Using garlic to add extra flavor to chicken is always a good idea. Use fresh minced garlic in the yogurt marinade.
- Lemon juice. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice to further tenderize the chicken and make it flavorful.
- Butter. Saffron-flavored melted butter to make the grilled chicken extra juicy.
- Water. You will need warm water to steep the saffron.
- Salt and pepper. To taste.
- Cilantro. Chopped cilantro to sprinkle over the chicken before serving it.
How to make saffron chicken
Simple is an understatement for this recipe. Besides marinating the chicken, there isn’t very much hands-on time whatsoever.
Step 1- Steep the saffron
Combine ½ teaspoon of saffron with a tablespoon of warm water and let it steep for 10 minutes.
Step 2 – Marinate the chicken
For the marinade combine the yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to the steeped saffron.
Add this mixture to the chicken pieces and mix well. Cover and refrigerate overnight giving the chicken a good mix several times.
Step 3 – Grill the chicken
Preheat the grill to medium heat and grease it generously. Remove the excess marinade from the chicken pieces and place them on the grill.
Cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Flip the chicken a few times to get it evenly charred on all sides or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees.
Step 4 – Brush with saffron butter and serve
Whisk melted butter with the remaining saffron. Brush it on the grilled chicken pieces while they are hot. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and serve.
Tips to make the best recipe
- Make mini kebabs on skewers. Cut the chicken into even pieces and thread them onto skewers.
- Use high-quality saffron. Only high-quality saffron threads will provide the color, aroma, and subtle floral flavor that makes this dish unique.
- Don’t cook on high heat. Grilling chicken on high heat will burn it on the outside while leaving it raw inside. Cooking the chicken on medium heat allows you to achieve a safe internal temperature and an all-over golden look.
- Use leftover marinade as a sauce. The unused yogurt marinade can also be served as a sauce for the saffron chicken that is already cooked.
Storage instructions
- To store: Store leftover saffron chicken in the fridge in an airtight container. The grilled chicken lasts up to 2 days in the fridge.
- To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled chicken in a shallow container and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- To reheat: Reheat leftovers in a covered pan over medium heat, flipping the pieces a few times to get them evenly heated. You can also reheat the chicken in the oven or in the microwave.
More chicken recipes to try
- Air fryer chicken breast
- Butter chicken
- Garlic parmesan wings
- Stuffed chicken breast
- Black pepper chicken
- Tandoori chicken
Frequently asked questions
You can use saffron threads for cooking so long as you steep them in a warm liquid. Steeping saffron threads in warm water, milk, or white wine is essential for drawing out their color and flavor and making a dish that has a distinct saffron aroma.
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Saffron Chicken | Cooks In Just 20 Minutes
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine ½ teaspoon of the saffron with warm water. Let it stand for 5 minutes.
- Add in the yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and mix until combined.
- Add the chicken and mix very well, until all the chicken is well coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight, if possible.
- Preheat a hot grill to medium heat and grease generously.
- Remove the excess marinade from the chicken. Place them on the grill, and cook for 15 minutes, turning once or twice, or until the chicken reaches an internal temp of 165F.
- Once the chicken is grilled, whisk together the melted butter with the remaining ¼ teaspoon of saffron. Brush over the grilled chicken pieces.
Notes
Nutrition
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Oh my gosh this looks amazing!! I’ve been waiting so patiently for you to share this recipe!! I can’t wait to make it, and the best part… It’s advocare challenge friendly! Woohoo!!
I’ve never tried a saffron based dish but always wanted to. I think my go to chicken recipe is a simple roasted bird with yummy seasoning on to!! There’s nothing better then a farm fresh roasted bird!!
Thanks heaps, Alex- AND BONUS!!!
I still need to roast a bird from scratch- that has been on my foodie bucket list for like… 2 years now. Oops.
Mum has outdone herself yet again. I’m glad you got her to share the recipe; the world needs this chicken.
I think some of the best dishes also are some of the most basic to make with the fewest ingredients possible. A ripe tomato paired with fresh mozzarella and basil and then dusted with olive oil, a touch of vinegar and S&P is just about heaven on a plate for me. I could eat this every day in the summer.
That would be absolutely perfect, with a slice of white sourdough toast as a vehicle and an extra drizzle of balsamic. Why must you mention this when we are entering Winter now :p
Finally! Me and my chicken were waiting for this saffron version. I might be obsessed with saffron, I throw it at anything and everything. I even use it as make up. That was a bad joke.
Grilled chicken is my favorite, but in winter I just make it in the oven. It allows me to have a predrink while it’s roasting.
I’m obsessed too! Arman, can we adopt your mum?
Sure thing. But adopt me first!
I know you love your saffron but you must try this out- seriously, it is so simple and so delicious! Mmmm you can never beat grilled chicken to chuck in all things and everything!
Say whaaat- this recipe looks fool-proof and I can’t wait to try it…big thanks to your momma for sharing! I’ve been looking for a good chicken curry type recipe that doesn’t contain Indian flavors and this sounds right up my alley. Recently I’ve been loving chicken in burger form- mince, add loads of fresh herbs and a few veggies and bind. And of course ketchup, avocado and mustard are almost always a given ;)!
I’ll let her know! This is so good over some rice or even with a pita! YES! I love using chicken mince with cumin, salt and pepper and simply fry them- delicious!
I have been waiting for this recipe! It looks so good and I’m glad it’s a pretty basic recipe – sometimes simple is best. I love chicken, and it’s probably where I get most of my protein from (meat wise). I make a good chicken curry with chicken breast, canned tomatoes, rogan josh curry paste and coconut milk! But if I just want quick chicken I cook it with a marinade of balsamic vinegar, dijon mustard, dried italian herbs, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper!
No worries! I hope you do try it out- it really is delicious and so simple to make! That quick marinade sounds great!
Yum!!!!
Easy to make and can be frozen too, this post has made Jen very happy! 🙂
You should see the two tupperware containers just chilling in my freezer….;)
YES! I’m so excited for this! Truth be told I have saffron in my cupboard, but I’ve actually never cooked with it. This will be the perfect way to try it out. 😀
My fallback recipe is either Mexican or some kind of stir fry. Truth be told I don’t cook a lot of chicken because I find it boring, but this recipe looks anything but boring!
Thanks, my favourite stalker.
Actually, I hear you on that- try cooking with chicken mince (NOT the lean kind)- they make amazing burgers, especially mixed with parmesan cheese!
This seems so simple and tasty! I have saffron, but I only ever add it to rice…which I haven’t actually done for a while. Might have to do that next time and cook rice…
Fallback dinner: eggs or pancakes (woot breakfast for dinner!) or a big salad. Gets the job done.
I LOVE adding saffron to rice too- especially paella!!! Your fallback dinners are well approved. Well approved!
YUMMMM hahah about the old stove— my stove from last year was from the 70s I swear and I was so confused as to why the apartment wouldn’t replace it. Are they that expensive??? Anyway, this looks awesome and my favorite way to eat chicken hmmm honestly probably just grilled with olive oil–suuuuuper simple and still flavorful.
Haha seriously, what is with some places and replacing their electrical equipment? When I was in the temporary accommodation my work provided, their ovens there cooked food in like, 15 minutes. My mind was blown.
Bless your Mum for cooking your favorite dish in your shoebox twice 🙂
This sounds totally yummy and easy. The best combination when it comes to recipes! I can’t remember I ever ate a saffron based recipe. Would be a new experience.
my fallback dinner? Chili con Carne of course 🙂
Hahaha thank you, Juli. Try it- Saffron makes things smell so good and look…fluro.
You forgot the sweet potato under the chili con carne 😉
I love saffron but I’ve never cooked with it. Can your mom make this for me? Or you. Which reminds me… why aren’t you hopping a plane to Switzerland?
Lucie is a genius with saffron so I reckon this is the best recipe to test out together 😉
I had a tomato saffron soup once and that was delicious and warming! I love chicken thighs too, so much tastier then the old breast 😉
I don’t really eat that much meat, perhaps twice a week or so… The J man has been making a really good coconut chicken lately though. He coats a chicken breast in coconut oil, mix of random spices, dessicated coconut and then griddle pan fries it – so good – try it!
Stupid chicken boobs- once moving down to the thighs, you never go back! Tomato + saffron is an epic combination!
Okay, you need to remind me to make it- that might make the chicken boobs taste nice 😉
I love the simple ingredients in this dish, but I bet it’s super, super flavorful! It looks like the most perfect comfort food – add a side of crusty bread and that sounds like perfection! I haven’t actually tried a saffron based dish before, but I love trying new things, so I’m excited to try out a new herb!
Definitely give it a go, Holly- it is sooo good and I love mopping up the excess sauce with French baguette or a sourdough loaf!
Yum, yum, yum! I’ve had numerous Persian dishes with saffron but never one like this. Do you use sumac much? I am hoping to carve out time this weekend to make your caramelized onion and eggplant dip. (Then sit down with a wooden spoon and it all by my lonesome.) Do you use regular large eggplant or the smaller Japanese variety? The woman who taught me how to make eggplant stew (ghormeh bademjan? I probably horribly butchered the spelling.)
My mom makes an Italian barbecue chicken. It is simple and delicious. Basically, she marinates chicken in olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and lemon for 24 hours before grilling.
Enjoy your well earned weekend!
Mum uses sumac when she makes huge vats of Persian style rice- she melts butter through it then tops it with sumac!
With the eggplant, try a regular one! That chicken actually sounds delicious- good marinating is absolutely key!
I’ve never cooked with saffron! This looks so good. Do you deliver?
Yes……if the plane ticket is included, and a fresh sourdough loaf waiting! 😉