MOROCCAN CHICKEN THIGHS

A winning winner chicken dinner…
A simple one pot recipe that never fails to bring a smile to your face. Unless you don’t eat chicken of course.

These Moroccan Chicken Thighs are tender, rich with flavour and simple to make. Chicken thighs, carrots, onions and diced tomatoes are cooked in Moroccan spices creating a meal that will spice up any night of the week.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

For the Moroccan spice blend:

  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin, divided
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika, divided
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • Dash of pepper

For the Moroccan chicken thighs:

  • 3 Tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 750 g skinless chicken thigh fillets
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 carrots, peeled, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 400 g (1 can) diced tomatoes
  • 1 lemon, juiced + 1/2 lemon sliced
  • Mission figs {optional}
  • Green olives {optional}

Garnish:

  • 4 Tbsp. freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 Tbsp. freshly chopped coriander

Method

Preheat the oven 200 ºC

First up, combine all the spices and coat the chicken thighs. Set aside.

Prep the rest of the ingredients, then add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a large ovenproof pan (ideally with a lid). Add the chicken thighs and sear until some nice golden colour appears. (about 3 mins per side). Remove from the pan.

Add another tablespoon of oil — add the onion and sauté for 2 mins or so. Add the carrot, garlic 1/2 tsp of cumin & 1/2 tsp of paprika. Keep cooking on a medium heat for about 4 mins.

Add the chicken stock, lemon juice, diced tomatoes — stir and simmer for a couple of minutes.

Stick the chicken thighs into the pan carefully. Add the lemon slices, olives & figs if you like (both optional) but olives highly recommended 😉

Cover and stick in the over for 30 mins or so. Remove and garnish with flat leaf parsley.

Serve with couscous, rice or flat-breads.

Absolutely more-ish (get it…;)