Step-by-Step Guide to Making Delicious Stuffed Chicken on the Stove Without an Oven

If you want to impress your guests or family with a delicious meal, stuffed chicken is a great choice. This special dish can easily be cooked either in the oven or on the stovetop. Here’s how to prepare stuffed chicken without using an oven.

Ingredients for Stovetop Stuffed Chicken

• Whole chicken: 1

• Unsalted butter: 1 tablespoon

• Salt and ground black pepper: to taste

• Cooking oil: 2 tablespoons

• Medium onion: 1, chopped

• Finely ground walnuts: 2 cups

• Raisins: 200 g

• Barberries: 1 tablespoon

• Pitted dried plums: 10

• Pitted dried apricots: 10

• Turmeric: 1 teaspoon

• Nutmeg: a pinch

• Salt: ½ teaspoon

• Ground black pepper: ¼ teaspoon

• Ground saffron: 2 teaspoons

• Hot water: ¼ cup

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by cleaning the chicken thoroughly and removing any internal organs. Then, make a marinade using 1 cup of dissolved saffron, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Rub this mixture all over the chicken and inside its cavity. Once coated, place the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours or overnight to fully absorb the flavors.

Step 2: Prepare the Stuffing

In a nonstick pot over medium heat, heat the oil and sauté the chopped onion until golden. Add the ground walnuts and stir-fry for 2 minutes, making sure not to burn them. Next, add the dried fruits, raisins, barberries, seasonings, and hot water. Mix well, reduce the heat, cover the pot, and cook for 5 minutes. Once done, remove from heat and set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Stuffed Chicken

In a suitably sized pot, combine water, saffron, salt, spices, and optionally a bit of pomegranate paste. If desired, add a few dried plums. Heat slightly, then pour the prepared stuffing inside the chicken cavity. Sew the chicken closed (or secure the opening with string if it tore) and tie the legs to keep the chicken intact. Cover the pot and cook over low heat for 1.5 hours.

Tip: If you notice the liquid is running low during cooking, add some boiling water.

Additional Tips for Perfect Stuffed Chicken

Variety in Stuffing:
The ingredients can be adjusted according to your taste. For a sweeter flavor, use more sweet dried fruits. For a tangier taste, add more sour fruits like plums. You can also dissolve a little sugar in water and mix it into the stuffing for added sweetness.

Preventing Sticking:
To prevent the chicken from sticking to the pot, place vegetables like potatoes, bell peppers, or carrots at the bottom. Herbs such as parsley or northern Iranian greens can also be added.

Keep the Skin:
It’s recommended to keep the chicken skin during cooking. The skin releases some oil, preventing the meat from drying, and also helps hold the stuffing in place.

Serving

Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a serving tray. Garnish with fresh herbs, fried potatoes, or bell peppers. Serve it with or without rice according to preference. If some find the outer layer of the chicken bland, top it with homemade sauces. Don’t forget fresh herbs when serving—it completes the dish.