It sounds fancy, but you can make Chicken in a creamy saffron sauce in about one hour. Really! Now, I will admit that saffron is kind of expensive, but a little goes a long way.

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Chicken in creamy saffron sauce. My mouth is watering. Chicken is so versatile. Entire books have been dedicated to numerous recipes for this feathery friend. I will admit, right off the bat, saffron is a favorite of mine. It’s expensive I know, but it is so delicious and delicate. By the way, in my book, you can’t go wrong with cream.

Growing saffron

It takes about 70,000 stems to get a pound of saffron.Holy cow!!! Yup, that’s a lot of stems, and a lot of picking.  Now, as far as a substitute? Sorry, but no! No spice or herb is a good substitute for the delicate taste of saffron.

Saffron background

The word saffron is of Arabic origin: Za’fran,  meaning yellow. Interestingly enough, the Spanish word for saffron is azafran, almost identical to its Arabic counterpart. The deep reddish threads (stigma) of the crocus turn a deep yellow when they come in contact with water. Saffron features prominently  in Persian and Mediterranean cuisine. You can’t possibly make a paella (the typical Spanish seafood and rice dish) or an Adas Polow ( a Persian dish consisting of rice, lentils and raisins) without saffron.  Apart from its use in savory dishes, saffron is also used in cakes and other sweets. More on that later.

Saffron in ancient times

In ancient Egypt it was used as a perfume dye and  medicine. It also had a religious use: saffron cakes were used as offerings the gods.  In ancient Mesopotamia saffron was used as both an aromatic and as an aphrodisiac.  In the Middle Age spice, it was considered  the most desired along with cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg. According to Greek mythology, the god Hermes accidentally struck his friend Croco lethally wounding him. In the spot where blood dripped, Hermes touched his sword and flowers began to grow.  These flowers were, well… crocuses! Another reference to saffron in Greek mythology has Zeus sleeping on a bed of saffron.

Saffron historical uses

Saffron also appears in the social rituals of antiquity. It was allegedly scattered at the feet of Roman emperors. Not surprising given the excesses that characterized the Roman Empire. Along the same vein, saffron was supposedly sprinkled on couches of fashionable homes so guests could breathe in the sweet aroma. I just hope the couches were not white!!!  It was also thrown on the beds of newlyweds in Ancient Rome (Remember saffron’s aphrodisiac use in ancient Mesopotamia?)

Step by step photos:

1. Preheat your oven to 200°F.  Slice your chicken breasts horizontally through the middle. 
2. Place one sliced half between two pieces of plastic wrap. Lightly pound each chicken breast until it is about 1/4 inch thick. Tip: Sprinkle a little water on the plastic before placing the chicken. It will make easier to pound out.
3. Beat 2 eggs in a pie pan and place each chicken breast in the egg to coat.
4. Take another pie pan and stir to combine the flour, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Dredge each chicken breast to fully coat.
5. Heat the oil in a skillet on medium and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side. Work in batches and you may need add a little more oil as you go. As the breasts are done cooking in the skillet place in an oven safe dish. Keep all the cooked chicken breasts warm in the oven while making the pan sauce.
6. Using the same skillet, sauté the shallot and garlic until the shallot is translucent.
7. Add the white wine to deglaze the pan. Scrape up all the little bits from the pan surface and cook until most of the wine has evaporated.
8. Add the cream and saffron to the pan.
9. Whisk the sauce on low for 5-10 minutes.
10. Continue stirring until the sauce thickens to a nappe consistency or coats as spoon when wiped as shown. Place all the chicken breasts on a serving platter, sprinkle with some chopped parsley.  You can drizzle the saffron sauce over the chicken or serve on the side, your choice.  

Frequently asked questions:

• How long can I store the chicken in the refrigerator? Once it has completely cooled you can store it in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
• Can I freeze the cooked chicken? Yes, wrap it tightly in a freezer bag after it has cooled. You can freeze it for 2-3 months when properly stored.
• Can I freeze the saffron cream sauce? I would not. It will separate or split once it thaws and have a grainy texture. It is edible but not an optimal texture.
• How do I reheat the chicken? Reheat the chicken in the microwave for 1-2 minutes per breast. Stop to flip over every 30-45 seconds until hot. Once reheated do not cool and store again in the refrigerator, consume it right away. So only reheat the amount you will consume.

I think you will enjoy making this delicious chicken in creamy saffron sauce. After all, saffron is a winner in my book, and chicken? Well you can never go  wrong with chicken, or cream! right?

Moroccan saffron chicken is a slow roasted dish you can make in a dutch oven, slow cooker or tagine.   Here is a version of a Persian rice dish (Albalou Polow) that is made with sour cherries but I like to use dried cranberries in mine.  Here is a low carb creamy cauliflower soup with saffron to try on a cold winter day.

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Originally published July 2016 and updated January 2021.