Moroccan Chicken Stew

This dish is a celebration of profound flavors and intoxicating aromas from North African cuisine, featuring tender morsels of chicken that melt in the mouth alongside a masterfully balanced combination of briny olives, preserved lemon, and subtle sweet notes of raisins. It is a rich, comforting stew elevated by an aromatic spice blend and white wine, offering an authentic and impressive culinary experience perfect for festive gatherings or elegant entertaining.

Prep: 15 min
Servings: 4
Difficulty: Medium

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Instructions

Servings:4

1In a large bowl, mix the chicken thighs with garlic, 1 teaspoon of salt, paprika, turmeric, ginger, black pepper, cumin, ground saffron and 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
2Massage the mixture into the chicken to ensure an even coating.
3Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
4Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a cooking pot or Dutch pot on medium-high heat.
5Sear the chicken thighs on both sides for about 3-4 minutes until they are golden brown.
6Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and cut each thigh into 2 or 3 pieces. Keep a plate.
7Reduce the heat to medium and fry the onions until soft, about 5-8 minutes.
8Optional: Pour in the white wine and cook until it evaporates, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom.
9Mix the chicken stock and add the cinnamon stick, pickled lemons, raisins and olives. Season with a pinch of salt.
10Place the chicken thighs and all the liquid into the liquid.
11Reduce the heat to a low simmer, cover and cook for 40 minutes or until the chicken is very tender.
12Mix the chopped parsley and serve!

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp coarse salt, plus more to taste
1.5 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp turmeric
0.5 tsp ginger
0.5 tsp black pepper
0.25 tsp cumin
Pinch of ground saffron threads
0.25 cup olive oil, plus more if needed

Nutrition

Calories: 152
Protein: 6.1g
Carbs: 24.2g

Recommended Equipment & Products

Cast iron Dutch oven
Amazon

Disclosure: these are currently regular search links, not affiliate links, and we do not earn a commission. Check current prices, availability and product labels before buying.

Chef tips

For a heartier dish, add root vegetables like carrots or potatoes. If preserved lemons are unavailable, substitute with fresh lemon juice.

Culinary reasoning

This dish is a celebration of profound flavors and intoxicating aromas from North African cuisine, featuring tender morsels of chicken that melt in the mouth alongside a masterfully balanced combination of briny olives, preserved lemon, and subtle sweet notes of raisins. It is a rich, comforting stew elevated by an aromatic spice blend and white wine, offering an authentic and impressive culinary experience perfect for festive gatherings or elegant entertaining.

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3 large onions, sliced

0.5 cup dry white wine (optional)

1 cup chicken broth

1 cinnamon stick

1-2 preserved lemons, sliced

0.5 cup golden raisins

0.5 cup pitted green olives

0.5 cup pitted Kalamata olives

0.33 cup chopped parsley

Nutrition

Calories: 152
Protein: 6.1g
Carbs: 24.2g

Chef tips

For a heartier dish, add root vegetables like carrots or potatoes. If preserved lemons are unavailable, substitute with fresh lemon juice.

Recommended Equipment & Products

Cast iron Dutch oven
Amazon

Disclosure: these are currently regular search links, not affiliate links, and we do not earn a commission. Check current prices, availability and product labels before buying.