Pomegranate Chicken with Rice

Iranian cuisine
 Pomegranate 

Rice ingredients:
- 2 green onions, chopped with the tops.
- 1 tbsp butter.
- 1 cup long grain rice.
- 2 tsp grated fresh ginger.
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon.
- 2 cup chicken broth.
- ½ cup roasted salted pistachio nuts, shelled.
 - 1 cup pomegranate seeds.
- lemon peel strips.

Pomegranate chicken ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened pomegranate juice.
- 3 tbsp soy sauce.
- ½ tsp dry rosemary.
- ½ tsp fresh grated ginger.
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced or pressed.
- 3 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
- ½ cup heavy cream.
- ⅓ cup pomegranate seeds.
- Fresh rosemary or parsley sprigs.

Pomegranate rice directions:
- In large saucepan cook green onions in hot butter over medium heat 3 to 5 minutes or just until tender, stirring occasionally.
- Add rice, ginger, and cinnamon. Cook and stir 5 minutes or until rice begins to brown.
- Carefully add broth to rice. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer covered, 14 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.
- Stir in nuts and pomegranate seeds. Sprinkle with lemon peel.

Pomegranate chicken directions:
- In a 9×13 baking dish, combine pomegranate juice, soy sauce, rosemary, ginger, and garlic.
- Coat chicken wit marinade. Cover it and refrigerate for 8 hours or over night.
- Drain off and reserve marinade.
- Arrange chicken pieces slightly apart in baking dish.
- Bake uncovered in 350 degree oven about 30 to 45 minutes, basting occasionally with marinade.
- The chicken will be dyed red due to the pomegranate juice so you’ll use a thermometer for doneness, it should be 165.
- Transfer chicken to platter and keep warm.
- Pour drippings into a 1 ½ to 2 qt. pan, stir in cream.
- Bring to boil over high heat and boil rapidly until sauce is slightly thickened and reduced to about ¾ cup.
- Spoon sauce evenly over chicken. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and rosemary sprigs.
- Serve over Pomegranate Rice.