Pilaf with Saffron

* If poaching your own chicken: Place chicken in a pot with the poaching ingredients. Add enough water to just cover chicken. Place over medium-high heat and bring to low rolling boil. Season water with salt, reduce heat and poach 45-60 minutes, turning once. Cool in the poaching liquid to room temp. Remove chicken from skin and bones and dice or pull into bite-sized pieces. Strain poaching liquid. 

Heat stock in a medium pot with saffron threads--do not boil, just heat stock enough to steep in the flavor of the saffron.

Heat a large, deep skillet with a lid over medium heat. Add butter and melt. When it foams, add pasta and stir to toast until deep golden. Remove to plate and add olive oil, onions and garlic to the skillet, and stir 3-5 minutes to soften. Add rice and stir 1 minute; add salt, pepper, thyme and raisins. Add saffron-infused stock and pasta, and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and cover pan. Simmer 15 minutes, add chicken and peas, and stir. Cover and cook 3 minutes longer then turn off heat and let stand 5 minutes. Add nuts, citrus zest and parsley, fluff with fork and serve.