"Jooje Digi" or "Pot-Cooked Chicken Kebab" is one of the most popular types of Iranian dishes and a variation of chicken kebab, which is cooked in a pan on the stove. For preparing it, you won’t need an oven, grill, or skewers.
How to Make Pot-Cooked Chicken Kebab (Jooje Degi) Without Skewers or Grill
"Jooje Degi" or "Pot-Cooked Chicken Kebab" is one of the most popular Iranian dishes, a variation of chicken kebab, cooked in a pan on the stove. You won’t need an oven, grill, or skewers to prepare it. While making this delicious dish, you can marinate the chicken pieces with various ingredients of your choice. If you like to try new cooking methods, stay with us in this article as we teach you how to make tender and juicy pot-cooked chicken kebab.
How to Make Pot-Cooked Chicken Kebab at a Glance:
According to Irna, to make pot-cooked chicken kebab without skewers or a grill, simply marinate the chicken pieces with sliced onions, yogurt, mayonnaise, pepper, and saffron. Let this mixture sit in the fridge for 2 hours so the chicken rests and absorbs the flavors. Then, add some butter to a suitable pan and heat it over medium heat.
Place the marinated chicken pieces in the pan, cover it, and cook the chicken on low heat until golden. Be sure to flip the chicken pieces during cooking to ensure all sides are evenly browned. You can serve this delicious dish with bread or rice.
For full details and step-by-step instructions on how to make pot-cooked chicken kebab, continue reading this recipe.
Ingredients Needed for Pot-Cooked Chicken Kebab (for 4 people):
Chicken breast or ready-made chicken kebab: 1 kg
Onion: 1 large
Saffron (strongly brewed): 3 to 4 tablespoons
Butter (animal-based): 2 tablespoons
Yogurt: 3 tablespoons
Mayonnaise: 1 tablespoon
Red pepper, salt, and black pepper: to taste
Rice or bread: to serve with the pot-cooked chicken kebab
Preparation Time for Ingredients: 2 hours
Cooking Time for Pot-Cooked Chicken: 25 to 35 minutes
Steps to Make Pot-Cooked Chicken Kebab:
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients for Pot-Cooked Chicken Kebab:
Before starting the recipe, slice the washed and peeled onion into thin strips and set it aside. Wash the chicken breast thoroughly and place it in a strainer to remove any excess water. Then, cut the chicken breast into pieces suitable for kebabs.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken with Saffron:
Place the chicken pieces in a suitable container, then add the saffron. Mix the chicken and saffron well, ensuring the chicken absorbs the color and flavor of the saffron.
Step 3: Add Onion and Spices:
Now, add the previously sliced onion along with salt, black pepper, and red pepper to the marinated chicken. Mix all the ingredients well so that the spices, including saffron, fully flavor the chicken.
Step 4: Complete the Marinade for Pot-Cooked Chicken Kebab:
Next, add the yogurt and mayonnaise (you can make instant mayonnaise) to the marinated chicken. Mix everything again and massage the chicken with your hands to make sure all the flavors are well absorbed.
Step 5: Let the Chicken Rest:
After mixing all the ingredients, cover the container or wrap it with plastic wrap. Place it in the fridge for 2 hours so the chicken can rest and fully absorb the flavors.
Step 6: Cook the Pot-Cooked Chicken Kebab:
After the marination time is up, remove the marinated chicken from the fridge. Melt the butter in a suitable pan over medium heat. Then, separate the onion slices from the chicken pieces so they don’t burn during cooking.
Place the marinated chicken pieces in the pan, cover it, and let it cook on medium heat for about 25 to 35 minutes. During this time, flip the chicken several times and pour some of the pan's oil over the chicken to ensure all sides are evenly browned. Cover the pan again and continue cooking until the chicken is fully cooked and golden.
Final Step: Serve the Pot-Cooked Chicken Kebab:
Once the chicken is fully cooked and golden, serve it on a plate. You can enjoy it with rice (chelow or kateh) or bread. Optionally, you can sauté some vegetables like tomatoes and bell peppers and serve them with the dish.
Important Tips for Making Pot-Cooked Chicken Kebab:
Animal-based butter has a great aroma and taste, which enhances the flavor of the pot-cooked chicken kebab. We recommend using this type of butter in the recipe.
Mayonnaise helps in making the chicken juicier and more flavorful.
Depending on your taste, you can add some sour orange paste, lemon juice, or fresh lemon juice to the marinade.
When marinating the chicken, start by adding saffron to the chicken and mix it well. Then, you can add the onions and other ingredients.
If you prefer, you can use chicken thighs, wings, or a combination of these cuts instead of chicken breast for the pot-cooked chicken kebab.
If using chicken thighs, it's best to remove the bones before cooking to ensure the meat cooks evenly.
We recommend cutting the chicken into smaller pieces to shorten the cooking time.
You can also add paprika powder, garlic powder, ginger powder, and black cumin to the marinade for additional flavor.
Tips for Making Pot-Cooked Chicken Kebab:
To prevent the chicken kebab from becoming dry, make sure to include mayonnaise or olive oil in the marinade. Also, remember to remove the onion slices during cooking so the chicken doesn’t become dry or burnt.
Adding mayonnaise to the chicken kebab mixture makes the chicken tender, juicy, and flavorful. If you want a tender and juicy pot-cooked chicken kebab, always add some mayonnaise to the marinade.
A medium-sized chicken is enough for 4 servings of chicken kebab.
For bone-in or boneless chicken kebabs, you’ll need around 300 to 400 grams of chicken per person.
