Moroccan Roast Chicken and Potatoes
User Reviews
4.6
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr 45 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 50 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
466 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
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Cuisine
Moroccan
Moroccan Roast Chicken and Potatoes
Description
This recipe begins by combining a blend of dried coriander, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, sumac, black pepper, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, and salt to create a robust Moroccan spice rub. A cleaned whole chicken is dried and rubbed thoroughly with this spice blend before being placed in a tagine pot coated with olive oil. Baby potatoes, cherry tomatoes, peeled garlic cloves, and chopped dried apricots are tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper and arranged around the chicken.
The covered tagine is baked at 350℉ (about 175℃) for approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165℉ (74℃) to ensure doneness. The extended cooking time allows the chicken to become tender and juicy, and the skin to brown lightly and crisp, while potatoes absorb the spices and moisture, producing a flavorful side. The dried apricots add a sweet contrast to the savory ingredients.
This dish pairs well with the savory and sweet components balanced, and the released cooking juices can be used as a light gravy. A tagine is recommended for its unique heat and moisture circulation though a Dutch oven or similar lidded pot works as an alternative. Chicken pieces can be browned in the tagine before roasting if preferred to enhance crispiness.
Ingredients
For Spice Rub
- 1 teaspoon dried coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon sumac *
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
For Roast Chicken and Potatoes
- 1 chicken about 4 or 5 lb, whole
- 4 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound baby potato cleaned
- 2 cups cherry tomato washed
- 8 cloves garlic peeled
- 10 dried apricot roughly chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- 1 tablespoon parsley chopped, fresh
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉.
- In a small bowl combine all the spice rub ingredients together.
- Clean the chicken, pat it dry and make sure to remove the bag with chicken giblets, if your chicken has it. Rub all the spice rub all over the chicken. Add 2 tbsp of the olive oil to the tagine then place the chicken in the tagine.
- In a bowl toss together the potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, and apricots. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the potatoes and season generously with salt and pepper. Toss everything together and add to the tagine, spread the potatoes around the chicken.
- Cover the tagine with the lid and bake in the oven for about 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours. To check if your chicken is done, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, and if the temperature reaches 165℉ (74℃) the chicken is cooked through. After 2 hours the chicken should be cooked really well, the meat should fall off the bones.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- Sumac adds a lemony flavor common in Middle Eastern cooking.
- Dried apricots can be replaced with raisins or dried cranberries if unavailable.
- Cooking in a tagine promotes browning and crisping of chicken skin, resulting in juicier meat compared to other cookware.
- Cooking with chicken pieces allows for browning on the stovetop before baking to increase crispness.
- Juices released during roasting make a flavorful gravy to serve with the dish.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 466 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 466kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 26g | 9% |
| Protein | 27g | 54% |
| Fat | 29g | 45% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 95mg | 32% |
| Sodium | 684mg | 29% |
| Potassium | 851mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 9g | 18% |
| Vitamin A | 1191IU | 24% |
| Vitamin C | 30mg | 33% |
| Calcium | 50mg | 5% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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