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Pomegranate Molasses Glazed Chicken Thighs

Pomegranate molasses glazed & baked chicken thighs are a simple centrepiece to a Persian-inspired meal with a delicious sweet & sour vibe.

This is a delightfully easy dish to cook, combine a few ingredients and marinate the chicken for 4-24 hours, then sear them and throw them in the oven!

Portrait image of pomegranate molasses glazed chicken thighs served with Israeli couscous and pomegranate seeds

Easy Baked and Glazed Chicken Thighs

I have a number of Persian or Levantine-inspired chicken recipes on my site, ranging from my made-up zaatar chicken to the classic Iranian dish Fesenjan, a walnut and pomegranate stew.

Both of those leverage the glory that is pomegranate molasses, which is also the star in this glazed chicken thighs recipe.

I love the stuff and use it all of the time on everything from the sauce that I serve with my lamb kofta to my zaatar halloumi cheese recipe!

This simple recipe is inspired by a recipe in a new book I picked up called Honey and Co!

It is gloriously easy, tastes divine and I think that it looks beautiful!

Portrait overhead image of pomegranate molasses glazed chicken thighs served with Israeli couscous and pomegranate seeds

Frequently Asked Questions

What is pomegranate molasses?

An ingredient that has become much more readily available here in Europe in recent years. In the main that is thanks to the popularity of great writers and chefs like Sabrina Ghayour and Yotam Ottolenghi.

It is essentially a sweetened reduction of pomegranate juice.

It has a long shelf life once opened of over a year and whilst it is relatively expensive a little goes a long way.

Can I use a different cut of chicken?

Yes, this dish can be cooked with whole legs, drumsticks or even chicken breast.

I prefer to use skin-on chicken for this recipe, despite the fact that it does not crisp up, I like the texture that the sweet and sour molasses lends to it.

But you can remove the skin if you wish.

Can I make this in advance?

Tentatively yes, although I think that it is much better served fresh and not reheated. But it is wonderful served in a salad either cold or close to room temperature.

If I am serving this either cold or reheated then I would use skinless chicken.

Can I shorten the marinade time?

The longer the marinade time the more flavour you will pack into the dish, but 5, 10 or 20 minutes is better than no minutes.

Portrait close up image of pomegranate molasses glazed chicken thighs served with Israeli couscous and pomegranate seeds

Serving Suggestions

Cooking this recipe leaves a whole lotta love in the pan.

As a result, whatever you decide to serve with this recipe needs to take advantage of those pan juices.

That means one of three things for me, a plain buttered couscous, bulgur wheat or giant couscous.

I chose giant couscous for this dish, but the process would be the same for any of the dishes.

Cook your choice of side simply, then remove the pomegranate chicken from the pan and allow it to rest.

Return the pan to a moderate heat, add in the couscous or bulgur wheat and maybe some more nuts and raisins and get it to soak up all of the flavour.

Remember, you are not trying to cook anything just to soak up all of that flavour. Finally, chuck in a load of herbs and job done!

You could take the same approach with everything from boiled potatoes, peppers, onions, broccoli, cauliflower… literally anything that you have knocking around the kitchen.

Pomegranate molasses glazed chicken thighs with giant couscous and almonds.

Equipment Used

I only name-check brands of equipment if I think that they make a material difference to a recipe. But if you have any questions feel free to ask them in the comments section below the recipe.

  • Oven.
  • Stovetop.
  • Bag or tub to marinate the chicken.
  • Paring knife to open the pomegranate.
  • Quick read meat thermometer.
Pomegranate molasses glazed chicken thighs with giant couscous and almonds.
Yield: 2 Servings

Persian Pomegranate Molasses Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Marinade Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes

Pomegranate molasses glazed chicken thighs, a truly delightful, exotic but simple focal point for any meal!

Ingredients

  • 400 g (14oz) Bone in, Skin On Chicken Thighs
  • 4 Tbsp Pomegranate Molasses
  • 2 Garlic Cloves
  • 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 Tsp Black Pepper
  • 2-3 Tbsp Flaked Almonds
  • 1 Small Pomegranate
  • 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil

Instructions

  1. Slice the garlic cloves as finely as you can.
  2. Mix together the pomegranate molasses, sliced garlic cloves, olive oil, and black pepper in a bag.
  3. Add the chicken and allow to marinate for at least 4 hours, overnight is better.
  4. Heat the cooking oil in an ovenproof 28cm or 11" frying pan or skillet.
  5. Remove the chicken from the marinade, season with salt and place in the oil skin side down. Be careful it will spit!
  6. Cook for 2-4 minutes to get a nice colour.
  7. Flip the chicken and pour any remaining marinade into the pan.
  8. Transfer to the oven and cook for 20-25 minutes at 200°C or 400°F.
  9. Remove the chicken from the oven when the internal temperature reaches 70°C or 158°F and let it rest for 5 minutes. It will continue to heat up and reach a safe temperature of 73°C or 165°F in this time.
  10. Whilst the chicken is cooking, remove the seeds from the pomegranate, toast the almond flakes and serve them as a garnish.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 805Total Fat: 50gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 37gCholesterol: 256mgSodium: 421mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 7gSugar: 34gProtein: 52g

Calorific details are provided by a third-party application and are to be used as indicative figures only.

Did you make this recipe?

If you made this recipe, I'd love to see what you did and what I can do better, share a picture with me on Instagram and tag me @krumplibrian and tell me how it went!

Jacqueline Debono

Wednesday 28th of March 2018

This recipe sounds divine! I'm not sure if I can find pomegranate molasses here in Italy but if I can I'd love to try this recipe out!

Jane

Friday 16th of February 2024

@Jacqueline Debono, I found pomegranate molasses on Amazon.

Brian Jones

Thursday 29th of March 2018

I have been surprised what you can find when you give it a shot rural Hungary is hardly a food diversity poster boy ;) However it is also easy to make, pomegranate juice, sugar and lemon juice reduced by 75% :)

Caroline

Wednesday 28th of March 2018

I have grown to love Persian dishes and pomegranate molasses are great in so many things. I can imagine this is delicious!

Brian Jones

Thursday 29th of March 2018

Thanks Caroline, it is a very comforting style of food for me :)

Ramona

Wednesday 28th of March 2018

I’m saving this Brian! It looks stunning. I have all the ingredients so it’s definitely a must try - lovely dish and beautiful pictures ??

Brian Jones

Thursday 29th of March 2018

Thanks Ramona, it is a really special dish.

Whitney

Monday 24th of October 2016

This looks amazingly delicious! The chicken has an awesome color, Brian!

Brian Jones

Monday 24th of October 2016

Cheers Whitney, that be the sugars in the pomegranate molasses, it means you don't get the crispy skin but the most wonderfully rich and tasty skin :)

Meaghan | Cook. Craft. Love.

Monday 24th of October 2016

Sweet and savory has my heart and I'm a sucker for anything with pomegranate!

Brian Jones

Monday 24th of October 2016

Despite not really having a sweet tooth in general I am a real sucker for a bit of sweetness on a savoury dish, it is that whole sweet, sour and salty combo that I love :)

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