This easy Persian-inspired chicken and rice dish has a beautiful golden color and a wonderful fragrance. If you have saffron in the cupboard, do add that optional pinch; just a little will enhance the flavor and aroma of the dish.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (1 1/4-1 1/2 lbs. total), trimmed
  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced
  • ½ teaspoon salt, divided
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 pinch generous pinch of saffron
  • 3 cups shredded cabbage (about 1/2 small head)
  • 4 cups cooked brown rice, preferably basmati or jasmine
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh italian parsley (optional)
  • 1 lemon, sliced (optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat two 8-inch-square baking dishes or foil pans with cooking spray (see Tip).
  2. Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 chicken thighs, and cook, turning once, until both sides are lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside. Repeat with the remaining chicken thighs. Pour off all but about 1 Tbsp. fat from the pan.
  3. Add the remaining 1 Tbsp. oil and onions to the pan and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. salt. Cook, stirring, until soft and golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in garlic, turmeric, paprika, and saffron, if using; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Transfer the onions to a plate and set aside.
  4. Return the pan to medium-high heat and add cabbage. Cook, stirring, until wilted, about 3 minutes. Stir in rice, lemon juice, the remaining 1/4 tsp. salt, and half of the reserved onion. Continue cooking until the rice is well coated and heated through, 5 to 7 minutes.
  5. Divide the rice mixture between the prepared baking dishes; nestle 4 of the reserved chicken thighs in each dish. Top each with half of the remaining cooked onions. Cover both dishes with foil. Label one and freeze for up to 1 month.
  6. Bake the remaining casserole, covered, for 30 minutes.
  7. Uncover and continue baking until a thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the chicken registers 165 degrees F and the onions are starting to brown around the edges, 5 to 10 minutes more. Garnish with parsley and lemon slices, if desired.