When I became vegetarian, there was one Persian dish I really missed – Tacheen. But here I am, 12 years later, sharing a delicious plant-based Tacheen recipe!!
Tacheen is a simple Persian rice dish layered with marinated chicken and rich with saffron.
“Zereshk” are barberries in Persian. Zereshk Polo is traditionally a separate Persian rice dish made with chicken and barberries.
We have combined Tacheen and Zereshk Polo in this flavorful recipe. Barberries are tiny, red, tart fruit. They add a hint of sweet and sour to the recipe. They are also rich in vitamin C. You can find them at Persian or Afghan stores.
We hope you enjoy this recipe! I know I am excited to enjoy Tacheen again! And if you like our posts, be sure to subscribe and follow us on Instagram @plant_basedpersian.
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ingredients
- 8 oz package plant-based chik’n (we use the Sweet Earth Mindful Chik’n Strips)*
- “Chik’n Marinade”
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 3 Tbsp. plant-based yogurt (we use Kite Hill plain almond yogurt)
- 1tsp. of turmeric
- 1/2 tsp. of salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
- Pinch of cumin
- Pinch of ground saffron
- 1 tsp. oil
- Persian Rice
- 4 cups Basmati rice
- 3 Tbsp. salt
- 3 Tbsp. oil
- 2 Tbsp. brewed saffron (divided)
- 1 medium potato cut in 4 or 5 pieces (for tahdig)
- 1/2 cup dried barberry
- 1/4 small onion julienned
* If you prefer to use a soy alternative, you can use jackfruit instead of the plant-based chick’n. We recommend a 20 oz can jackfruit in brine (drained, washed, and dried by squeezing water out with a cheese cloth or kitchen towel). You can remove or roughly chop the harder end pieces.
Directions
- Prepare the “Chik’n Marinade.”
- Marinate the plant-based chik’n (or jackfruit) in a bowl in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
- Prepare the Persian Rice
- Wash over the rice by placing the rice in a large bowl and covering with water. Move the rice with your hand to clean the rice. Pour off the water. Repeat the process 3-4 times until the rice is clean.
- Fill a large pot with water. Add the 3 Tbsp. salt. Cover and bring to a boil on high heat. Add rice to the boiling water. Reduce heat to medium and cook uncovered for 10 minutes.
- Drain the rice.
- Add 2 Tbsp. oil to bottom of rice cooker (or non-stick pot with lid). Add 1 Tbsp. brewed saffron. Add sliced potatoes in one layer (for tahdig).
- Add half the rice and then the marinated chik’n (or jackfruit) mixture and cover with the remaining rice.
- Cover and cook 50 minutes in the rice cooker (or 50 minutes in a non-stick pot on medium heat).
- Add 1 Tbsp. oil in a nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until golden. Add barberry and 1 Tbsp. brewed saffron. Sauté for 2 more minutes!
- When serving, garnish the rice with the sautéed barberry.
- You may also garnish with saffron rice (as pictured). To make the saffron rice garnish, combine 1/2 cup cooked rice and mix it with 2 Tbsp. brewed saffron.
- Enjoy! Noosh-e-Jan!
SERVES 4-5 people
