Tantalize your taste buds with a culinary journey to Morocco with our delectable Moroccan Chicken with Fruit and Olive Topping recipe. This exotic dish combines savory chicken with a vibrant medley of sweet and savory flavors. Succulent chicken is marinated in a blend of aromatic spices, then roasted to perfection, creating a tender and flavorful centerpiece. The topping, a harmonious blend of caramelized fruits, succulent olives, and crunchy almonds, adds a delightful textural contrast and bursts of flavor to every bite. Accompany this tantalizing main course with our two irresistible side dishes: Fluffy Couscous with Toasted Pine Nuts and Refreshing Moroccan Carrot Salad. The fluffy couscous, enriched with toasted pine nuts, provides a light and airy accompaniment to the rich chicken, while the vibrant carrot salad, tossed in a tangy dressing, offers a refreshing balance. Embark on this culinary adventure and savor the vibrant flavors of Morocco with our trio of delectable recipes.
Let's cook with our recipes!
STOVETOP MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH PRESERVED LEMON AND OLIVES
Steps:
- Ahead of time if possible, combine the chicken with the onion, garlic, herbs, and spices, including half of the saffron. (Reserve the rest of the saffron for adding to the sauce at a later time.) If time allows, cover and leave the chicken to marinate in the fridge for a few hours or even overnight. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
- When ready to cook, transfer the chicken and onions (scrape every last bit out of your bowl) to a heavy-bottomed pot, deep skillet or Dutch oven. Cover and cook the chicken over medium or medium-low heat, gently stirring and turning the chicken every 15 minutes or so, until the chicken is tender enough to pinch off the bones. (This will take approximately one hour, but longer if using a free range chicken). Keep the heat adjusted so that the chicken doesn't scorch, and only add a little water if you feel you must. Typically the chicken will braise in its own juices.
- When the chicken is cooked, carefully transfer it to a plate and cover.
- Continue cooking the onion mixture and sauce over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the liquids evaporate and the onions can be mashed into a blended mass which separates from the oils. If your onions do not appear to be melding, you can give a few pulses with an immersion blender, but do not overprocess.
- Add the preserved lemon, olives, the rest of the saffron, and a few tablespoons of water, and simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes. Return the chicken to the pot to heat through, or place under the broiler to brown the skin.
- Place the chicken on a serving platter, pour the onion sauce over the top and sides, and garnish the top of the chicken with the quartered lemon and some olives.
- For casual meals, consider garnishing the chicken with a handful or two of french fries (patate frite), which may also be offered as a traditional side.
- Moroccan tradition is to eat by hand, using crusty Moroccan bread for soaking up the sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 639 kcal, Carbohydrate 16 g, Cholesterol 152 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 48 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Sodium 553 mg, Sugar 6 g, Fat 42 g, ServingSize 4 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
MOROCCAN APRICOT CHICKEN
Traditionally, this Moroccan chicken with apricots dish includes chili pepper paste, but I use chili sauce in my version. Serve it alone or with couscous for a heartier meal. -Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 4h40m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add almonds; cook and stir until lightly browned, 2-3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. In the same skillet, brown chicken on both sides. Remove from heat. Transfer chicken to a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. Stir chili sauce, preserves, apricots, Moroccan seasoning, vanilla and garlic powder into drippings. Pour over chicken., Cook, covered, on low until a thermometer inserted in chicken reads 170°-175°, 4 to 4-1/2 hours. Stir in garbanzo beans and orange juice. Cook, covered, on low until heated through, 15-30 minutes longer. Serve with almonds. If desired, sprinkle with parsley.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 482 calories, Fat 21g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 81mg cholesterol, Sodium 633mg sodium, Carbohydrate 47g carbohydrate (27g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 28g protein.
MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH DRIED FRUIT AND OLIVE TOPPING
From Cooking Light. Great sweet and salty mix! To cut down on the sodium, I reduced the amount of salt and replaced half of the chicken broth with water. I used about 1/2 green olives and 1/2 kalamata. Plus the dried fruit adds fiber to this meal!
Provided by mikey ev
Categories Chicken Breast
Time 22m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sprinkle salt, pepper, and thyme evenly over chicken.
- Add chicken to pan; cook 4 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from pan; cover and keep warm.
- Heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil in pan.
- Add onion to pan; saute 2 minutes until tender.
- Add garlic to pan; saute 30 seconds.
- Add remaining ingredients to pan (fruit, wine, broth, olives, salt, and pepper); cook 5 minutes or until liquid almost evaporates.
- When there was still some liquid left in the pan, I threw the chicken back in to warm through and soak some of the flavor.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 275.7, Fat 9.3, SaturatedFat 1.7, Cholesterol 108.9, Sodium 703.1, Carbohydrate 4, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 1.2, Protein 37.2
Tips:
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. This will help to evenly distribute the heat and prevent the chicken from sticking.
- Sear the chicken before braising it. This will help to develop flavor and color.
- Use a variety of fruits and olives. This will add sweetness, tartness, and savory flavor to the dish.
- Simmer the chicken for at least 1 hour, or until it is cooked through. This will allow the flavors to meld and the chicken to become tender.
- Serve the chicken with rice, couscous, or another grain. This will help to soak up the delicious sauce.
Conclusion:
Moroccan chicken with fruit and olive topping is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The chicken is tender and juicy, and the fruit and olive topping adds a sweet and savory flavor. This dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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