Syrian-Style Honey-Glazed Chicken with Currants and Spices Recipe
This Syrian Style Chicken recipe features tender chicken pieces simmered in a fragrant sauce of warm spices, honey, and currants. The combination of cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, and other spices creates a rich, aromatic flavor that pairs beautifully with rice or couscous. Garnished with fresh parsley, this dish embodies comforting Middle Eastern home cooking with a sweet and savory profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Syrian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
- Salt, to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Sauce and Seasoning
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup currants or raisins
- 1 cup water or chicken broth
Garnish
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper, then brown them in the pot until golden on all sides. Once browned, remove the chicken pieces and set aside.
- Make the Sauce: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the onion is softened and translucent. Add the ground cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, allspice, coriander, cloves, and black pepper. Stir well to combine and cook for an additional 2 minutes to release the spices’ aromas.
- Cook the Chicken: Return the browned chicken pieces to the pot. Add honey, currants (or raisins), and water or chicken broth to the pot. Stir everything together to evenly coat the chicken with the sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender.
- Serve: Transfer the cooked chicken pieces to a serving platter. Garnish generously with freshly chopped parsley. Serve this fragrant Syrian chicken with rice, couscous, quinoa, and optionally a dollop of Greek or coconut yogurt for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute raisins if currants are unavailable.
- Use chicken broth instead of water for a richer flavor.
- Adjust the honey amount to your preference for sweetness.
- Serve with your favorite grain like rice or couscous.
- Garnishing with fresh parsley adds a nice color and fresh taste.
Keywords: Syrian chicken recipe, Middle Eastern chicken, spiced chicken stew, honey chicken, currants chicken, flavorful chicken dish
