Polo & Chelo🍚Crispy Saffron & Golden Crust

Havij Polo

Name: Havij Polo
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 4-6 servings
Cuisine: Persian
Ingredients: 4 cups basmati rice, soaked in salted water; 1 lb chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into pieces; 5 large carrots, peeled and grated (or julienned); 1 medium onion, chopped; 1/2 cup sugar (adjust to your taste); 2 tablespoons bloomed saffron; 1/4 cup cooking oil; 1 teaspoon turmeric; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

هویج پلو زعفرانی با مرغ

If you like sweet dishes and like carrots then you should try Havij Polo (Rice with Carrots). The combination of tender caramelized carrots, bloomed saffron, and chicken makes for a colorful, aromatic Persian feast.

Prep Time

25 mins

Cook Time

1 hour 15 mins

Total Time

1 hr 40 min

Servings

4-6 servings

Difficulty

Medium

The Authentic Sofreh Pairing

In Persian tradition, dining is a harmony of hot and cold temperaments (Garm o Sard). Serve this dish alongside:

Mast-o KhiarSalad ShiraziTorshi LitehSlivered Pistachios for Garnish

🍚The Tahdig Golden Guarantee

Master Crust Secret: Slick the pot bottom with 3–4 tbsp oil or melted butter and 2 tbsp bloomed saffron water. Sear on medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes until sizzling, then wrap the lid in a clean towel (damkoni) and steam on low for 40–45 minutes.

Ingredients

مواد لازم

Servings Stepper

4 servings

Unit System

Prep ready: 0 of 9

4 cups basmati rice, soaked in salted water

1 lb chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into pieces

5 large carrots, peeled and grated (or julienned)

1 medium onion, chopped

½ cup sugar (adjust to your taste)

2 tablespoons bloomed saffron

¼ cup cooking oil

1 teaspoon turmeric

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

طرز تهیه

Cook chicken: Sauté chopped onion in oil until golden. Add chicken pieces, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Add 1/2 cup water, cover, and cook on medium for 30 minutes until tender.

Sauté carrots: In a pot, heat oil, add grated carrots, and sauté for a few minutes. Add sugar, 3/4 cup water, and 1 tablespoon bloomed saffron. Cook until water evaporates and carrots are tender and glossy.

Parboil rice: Parboil soaked rice in boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain.

Layer and steam: Add oil and water to the pot for tahdig. Layer half the rice, add the cooked chicken and glazed carrots, then top with remaining rice and drizzle with chicken broth and saffron. Cover with a towel-wrapped lid and steam on low for 1 hour.

Serve: Gently mix the spiced rice with carrots and chicken as you spoon onto a platter. Serve with mast, torshi, or salad shirazi 🙂.

More in Polo & Chelo

View all Polo & Chelo

شله و کچری قروت

Polo & Chelo

Shole / Kecheri Quroot

Shola (Shole) is one of my favorite Afghan dishes! Its usually a sticky kind of rice with maash (mung beans)… and the stickiness depends on the amount of water used to make the dish. Kecheri Quroot (Kecheri Ghoroot) is a dish that still has Sholeh, but with ground beef and kashk (Ghoroot) on the rice as well.

25 mins prep1 hour cook

Medium

قابلی پلو (کابلی پلو)

Polo & Chelo

Quabili Pallow (Ghabali Polo)

This is a traditional Afghan recipe that anyone who likes raisins and carrots is sure to enjoy! The aromatic spiced rice with tender lamb, sweet raisins, and julienned carrots makes for an unforgettable feast dish.

30 mins prep1 hour 30 mins cook

Medium

مرغ پلو مجلسی با زرشک و زعفران

Polo & Chelo

Morgh Polo (Chicken Rice)

This dish is practically the same as Zeresk Polo ba Morgh (Barberry Rice with Chicken). When I first decided to make it I kept asking myself what is different about this dish compared to Zereshk Polo… but then I realized the main difference is that the chicken is steamed with the rice in Morgh Polo! Either way, whichever name you decide to call the dishes, it is incredibly fragrant and delicious.

30 mins prep1 hour cook

Medium