For a culinary journey worthy of Scheherazade's enchanting tales, let yourself be tempted by this exquisite recipe for roast chicken with pomegranate and garlic, borrowed from the delights of Levantine cuisine. In this region, pomegranate juice is used generously to marinate, season and enhance dishes and salads with its unique, refreshing flavour. The preparation is surprisingly simple, although the secret lies in a long marinating time that allows the aromas to soak delicately into the flesh of the chicken, enriching each bite with a deep, aromatic flavour. This recipe uses mainly chicken thighs and wings, but opting for chicken halves could magnify the visual effect, transforming each dish served into a real work of art.
Are you ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will awaken your senses and delight your taste buds? Don't miss the chance to transform your kitchen into a Levantine feast with our recipe for chicken with pomegranate and garlic.
Your list of ingredients for 4 people :
Chicken (thighs, wings or breast)
1.5 tablespoons honey
Pinch of turmeric
Salt to taste
4 cloves garlic
1 mix of spices and/or herbs of your choice
1 tablespoon Granaline Organic Pomegranate Vinegar
Crushed pistachios and sprigs of fresh rosemary for decoration
Preparation:
Prepare the marinade: Crush the peeled garlic cloves and place in a large bowl. Add the honey, a pinch of salt and turmeric, as well as the blend of spices and/or herbs of your choice. Mix these ingredients well before gradually adding the warm pomegranate juice until you have a smooth marinade.
Marinating the chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a baking dish and pour the marinade over them, making sure that all the pieces are well coated. Leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, ideally overnight to maximise flavour. Remove the chicken from the fridge 30 minutes before cooking to reheat slightly.
Cooking: Preheat your barbecue or oven. Cook the chicken until golden and cooked through, turning regularly to ensure even cooking.
To prepare the sauce: While the chicken is cooking, pour the remaining marinade into a saucepan and reduce over a medium heat. Add a tablespoon of pomegranate vinegar at the end of cooking to intensify the flavours.
Finishing and serving: Serve the chicken hot, topped with the reduced sauce. Garnish with crushed pistachios and sprigs of fresh rosemary for a textural contrast and a refined visual effect.
Accompaniments for your chicken with pomegranate sauce recipe :
To perfect your chicken with pomegranate sauce recipe, here are a few ideas for accompaniments that will make this dish sublime. Choose from aromatic grains, grilled vegetables or a fresh salad to complement the sweet and tangy flavours of the chicken. Each option is designed to perfectly complement your dish, adding a visual and taste dimension to your meal. Explore these suggestions for a truly memorable dinner.
1. Couscous or quinoa
Couscous and quinoa are two grains that lend themselves wonderfully to accompanying simmered or marinated dishes thanks to their ability to absorb flavours. To prepare a flavourful side dish, you could cook couscous or quinoa in vegetable or chicken stock to make them fragrant and moist. After cooking, add a drizzle of olive oil, lemon juice and fresh herbs such as parsley or mint. For a sweet and savoury touch, mix sultanas, chopped dried apricots or cranberries with toasted walnuts or almonds. This mix of textures and flavours will go perfectly with the sweetness and richness of the pomegranate-marinated chicken.
2. Arugula and spinach salad
A green salad is a classic way to lighten up a rich main course. Arugula and baby spinach offer a mix of crunchy and tender textures, with a slight bitterness that contrasts well with the sweetness of the pomegranate chicken. For the dressing, opt for something light but aromatic: mix extra virgin olive oil with lemon juice or balsamic vinegar, a touch of mustard and honey if you like it spicy and sweet. Add slices of avocado for sweetness, walnuts or pine nuts for crunch, and why not a few slivers of feta or goat's cheese for a creamy contrast.
3. Grilled vegetables
Grilled vegetables are a versatile and healthy side dish that goes well with almost any type of protein. Choose a variety of seasonal vegetables such as asparagus, courgettes, peppers and red onions. Slice them evenly, brush lightly with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and fresh or dried herbs such as thyme or rosemary. Grill the vegetables until tender and lightly caramelised. Their natural sweetness and roasted texture will complement the flavour and sweetness of the pomegranate chicken perfectly. For a finishing touch, a drizzle of reduced balsamic or lemon zest can take the dish to a new level of freshness and complexity.
4. Traditional Sunday chicken
And if you're a fan of the comforting classic Sunday chicken, we've got just the thing for you! Traditional Sunday chicken gets an innovative and nutritious twist with the introduction of sweet potatoes. Replacing traditional potatoes, sweet potatoes add a touch of sweetness and extra nutritional richness. Their lower glycaemic index makes them an ideal choice for avoiding a glycaemic spike, while also providing fibre and essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, potassium and magnesium. What's more, their naturally sweet taste perfectly complements the fruity flavour of the pomegranate, adding a dimension of complexity to this traditional dish. With this harmonious marriage of flavours and health benefits, Sunday Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Pomegranate offers a deliciously modern culinary experience, while preserving the comforting charm of Sunday family meals. It's sure to impress the whole family!
Each of these side dishes can be adapted according to your preferences or the ingredients you have on hand, offering a personalised culinary experience that complements your main course.
The little extras in our chicken with pomegranate sauce recipe :
Granaline pure organic pomegranate juice:
Granaline Pure Organic Pomegranate Juice is the drink of choice, made from freshly picked PREMIUM quality pomegranates. Cold-pressed using a traditional mechanical process, these pomegranates are a source of antioxidants, including vitamins C, E, K, B5 and B9, as well as magnesium and potassium. This pure juice, unfiltered and not from concentrate, stands out for its 100% fruit composition, with no added sugars, preservatives or colourings, bringing an explosion of freshness and vitality to your everyday life.
Granaline Organic Pomegranate Vinegar :
Granaline Organic Pomegranate Vinegar is a top-quality culinary accompaniment made from pure Granaline pomegranate juice. Aged in oak barrels, it offers a fruity flavour, perfect for salads, vegetables and roasted meats. With no added sugar or preservatives, this organic vinegar adds a touch of freshness and vitality to all your culinary preparations.
FAQ
How do you make chicken very tender?
To get the most tender chicken, we recommend basting your meat every 15 minutes with its own cooking juices to keep it tender and juicy. This method also allows the meat to slowly absorb the aromas and flavours of your preparation, while retaining its natural moisture.
What is the spice and/or herb blend for roast chicken?
The blend of spices and/or herbs for roast chicken is generally made up of the following ingredients:
paprika ;
garlic ;
salt ; rosemary
rosemary ;
thyme ;
hot pepper.
You can, of course, season to your own tastes and desires!
For more ideas, here is a selection of spice and/or herb blends to use in your dishes:
Herbes de Provence: A traditional blend of herbs such as thyme, rosemary, oregano, savory and sometimes lavender, which adds an aromatic, Mediterranean flavour to chicken.
Cumin, coriander and sweet paprika: This trio of spices offers a warm, slightly smoky flavour, with a subtly spicy note that goes well with chicken.
Curry blend: Made with turmeric, coriander, cumin, ginger, cinnamon and other spices, this blend adds an exotic, slightly spicy flavour to roast chicken.
Fresh herbs: Instead of a mix of dried spices, you can use fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, chives and coriander to flavour your roast chicken.
In short, this recipe for chicken with pomegranate and garlic takes us on a culinary journey inspired by the delights of Levantine cuisine. It skilfully blends the unique flavour of pomegranate juice with the simplicity of chicken, creating an unforgettable taste experience. A variety of accompaniment options add a personal touch to this feast, while the use of quality products such as pure Granaline Organic pomegranate juice and Granaline Organic pomegranate vinegar guarantees an explosion of flavour and vitality. All in all, this recipe promises a moment of conviviality and indulgence, where exotic flavours meet the simplicity of culinary pleasure.
Enjoy your meal!