Tah Chin

Description
Iranian layered rice and chicken casserole, perfect for Thanksgiving and Christmas Season)

Tah chin — also pronounced tacheen — is an Iranian dish that is quick and simple to make. Partly cooked rice is flavored with saffron, yogurt and egg yolks and then layered in a dish with chicken, or lamb. For those of us American/Iranians, using Turkey is becoming common right after Thanksgiving or Christmas. The whole dish is baked and then turned out onto a platter, forming what seems like a cake with a golden, crispy crust.

Ingredients

 * 3 to 4 lbs chicken breasts (trimmed; small chunks)
 * 2 cups plain yogurt
 * ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
 * ¼ teaspoon salt
 * ¼ teaspoon pepper
 * 1 teaspoon saffron
 * 2½ cups rice
 * 1½ teaspoon salt
 * 1 egg, beaten
 * 2 quarts water
 * 2 tablespoons salt
 * ½ cup butter

Directions

 * 1) Marinate and refrigerate the chicken in yogurt, saffron and cinnamon.
 * 2) Combine rice and salt with enough cold water to cover and allow to soak  for a few hours or overnight if possible
 * 3) Remove lamb from yogurt mixture (save the yogurt),  and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.
 * 4) To the saved yogurt, add 1 egg and 1 tsp saffron; beat to mix.
 * 5) Drain rice that has been soaking.
 * 6) Bring to boil 2 quarts water. Add 2 teaspoons salt and drained rice and boil for 10-15 minutes. Pour rice into colander and rinse with lukewarm water.
 * 7) Remove chicken from baking dish and set aside.
 * 8) Mix yogurt/egg mixture with rice.
 * 9) In bottom of baking dish, melt ½ cup butter with 2 tablespoons of water. Over melted butter arrange half of rice. Scatter chicken cubes over rice. Top with remaining rice. Cover tightly. Bake at 400°F for 14 minutes.
 * 10) Then reduce heat to 325°F and bake for an additional 40 minutes. Serves 6.

Variations
Many Iranians add barberries to the rice for a more tart flavor. In some parts of the country they also add spinach, see below if you would like this option:


 * Tah chin Esfenjani: add a layer of chopped spinach and soaked prunes before each layer of chicken.
 * The crispy, crunchy layer of browned rice that forms on the tah chin as it bakes is called the tahdig and is a good indicator of whether or not an Iranian Chef is good or not ☺