Moroccan Style Chicken With Prunes
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
35 mins
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Total Time
50 mins
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Servings
6 people
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Calories
665 kcal
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Course
Dinner
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Cuisine
International
Moroccan Style Chicken With Prunes
Description
This Moroccan style chicken dish begins by marinating chicken thighs with a blend of spices including turmeric, ground ginger, black pepper, and ras el hanout, imparting warm aromatic flavors typical of North African cuisine. The chicken rests briefly to absorb the spices. Prunes are caramelized with sugar and cinnamon to develop sweetness and depth. The main cooking vessel, either a tagine or heavy pot, is used to soften onions in butter and olive oil, then garlic is added. Chicken is browned skin side down for caramelized texture. Aromatic whole spices like cinnamon sticks and bay leaves along with chicken stock and half the prunes are added, and everything is simmered together, melding sweet and savory elements.
The dish is paired with couscous prepared with water, lemon juice, butter, raisins, and chopped prunes, providing a moist and fluffy grain bed with bursts of sweetness. The finished dish is garnished with slivered almonds and chopped cilantro for texture and freshness.
This recipe offers a balance between savory spices and sweet dried fruit characteristic of Moroccan cuisine. The slow simmering tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with complex flavors. It is typically served as a main course accompanied by the aromatic couscous, making for a hearty and comforting meal.
Ingredients
FOR THE CHICKEN
- 2 pound chicken thighs bone in and skin on
- 2 onion thinly sliced
- 4 garlic peeled and minced, cloves
- 1 tablespoon butter unsalted
- 2 teaspoons Turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cinnamon stick
- 2 bay leaf
- 1½ cup chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon ras el hanout
- lemon zest
CARAMELIZED PRUNES
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 18 prunes
- 2 tablespoons sugar
COUSCOUS
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tableapoon butter unsalted
- 1 tablespoon raisins
- 4 prunes chopped
FOR GARNISH
- ¼ cup almond slivered
- 2 tablespoons cilantro finely chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix well turmeric, ground ginger, black pepper, and ras el hanout. Add the chicken thighs to the mix and rub all over the chicken.Let it rest for about 15 minutes for the flavors to set on the chicken.
- Meanwhile, prepare the prunes by placing the sugar, 1 cinnamon stick and cinnamon powder, and the pitted prunes in a saucepan.Add water just to cover the prunes and cook for 5 to 7 minutes over medium heat. Set aside.
- In a tagine or large pot with a lid that seals well, over medium-high heat, add the olive oil and butter. When the butter has melted and no more foam is left in the pot, add the onions and cook for about 4 minutes or until softened.
- Add the garlic and stir well.
- Make room by moving the onions on the side and add the chicken thighs skin side down, season well with salt, and cook for about 10 minutes, turning once and until the chicken has a nice caramelization.
- Add the bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, chicken stock, half the prunes and ¼ of the prune’s juices to the chicken and cover. Cook for another 20 minutes.
- Toast the almond slivers and set aside.
- Prepare the couscous by bringing the water to a boil. Add the lemon juice, butter, raisins, prunes, and couscous. Stir, turn off the heat from underneath, cover, and set aside.
- Place the chicken stew on a serving platter, garnish with the toasted almond slivers, remaining prunes, and finely chopped cilantro, and lemon zest, and serve.
- Serve the couscous alongside, add some of the juices of the chicken around it.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 665 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 665kcal | 33% |
| Carbohydrates | 62g | 21% |
| Protein | 32g | 64% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 155mg | 52% |
| Sodium | 212mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 848mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 7g | 28% |
| Sugar | 21g | 42% |
| Vitamin A | 494IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 92mg | 9% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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