Persian-Style Chicken

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 medium-sized onions, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons chopped garlic (about 2 cloves)
• 1 whole chicken, cut into eighths
• 1 cup seeds from 1 medium pomegranate (about 1 cup), divided
• 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds, divided
• 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 cups hot cooked rice