MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH SQUASH AND DRIED PLUMS

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Moroccan Chicken with Squash and Dried Plums image

Provided by Amy Finley

Categories     main-dish

Time 6h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 25

7 tablespoons olive oil
1 lemon, zest grated and juiced (about 2 to 3 tablespoons juice) plus 2 lemons, quartered, for garnish
1 teaspoon harissa
4 skinless chicken thighs, (about 2 pounds)
1/2 cup chicken broth
Pinch saffron strands
1 large onion, chopped
3 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch half moons or chunks
3 yellow squash, cut into 1/2-inch half moons or chunks
3 medium plum tomatoes, quartered
1/2 cup dried pitted prunes (about 10)
1/4 cup black olives, pitted
Coarse salt and freshly cracked black pepper
1/4 cup almonds
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Serving Suggestion: flatbread
Spice Mixture, recipe follows
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper

Steps:

  • In a medium glass bowl, combine the spice mixture, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the lemon zest, lemon juice, and harissa. Add the chicken thighs and stir to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours. Warm the chicken broth and add the saffron strands, then allow to steep at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade. In a Dutch oven over high heat, brown the chicken thighs on both sides in 2 tablespoons olive oil, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set chicken aside on a plate. Reduce the heat to medium, add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan, and saute the onion until golden, about 5 minutes. Place the chicken thighs on top of the onions and add any accumulated juices from the plate. Arrange the zucchini and yellow squash and tomato quarters on top of the chicken and tuck in the prunes and olives. Season well with salt and pepper. Pour over the chicken broth and saffron. Cover and place on the bottom rack of the oven. Let cook undisturbed 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is falling off the bone. Remove from the oven and transfer the contents of the Dutch oven to a large serving dish.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small saucepan over high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the almonds and fry until the skins begin to crackle, about 2 to 3 minutes. Pour the almonds and hot oil over the vegetables and chicken on the serving dish. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and serve, spooning over the sauce in the dish and garnishing each plate with the lemon quarters.
  • Combine the spices in a coffee grinder and grind to a medium-fine powder. Add the kosher salt and pepper. Store in an air-tight container, if not using immediately.

Justice Darko
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I love this recipe! It's so easy to make and always turns out delicious. The chicken is always moist and flavorful, and the squash and dried plums add a nice sweetness and tartness. I highly recommend this recipe!


Bella Henri Smith doiron
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This is a great recipe for a weeknight meal. It's quick and easy to make, and the chicken is always cooked perfectly. I usually serve it with rice or potatoes and a side of vegetables.


Latarsha Thompson
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I found this recipe to be a bit bland. I added some extra spices to the chicken and it turned out much better. The squash and dried plums were a nice addition, but I would have liked the dish to be more flavorful overall.


Leo Yang
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This dish was a little too sweet for my taste. I think I would have preferred it with fresh plums instead of dried plums. The chicken was cooked perfectly, though, and the squash was very flavorful.


Sandra Asamobea
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I'm not a big fan of squash, but I really enjoyed this dish. The chicken was very flavorful and the squash was cooked perfectly. The dried plums added a nice touch of sweetness. I would definitely make this again.


Kasaja Vicent
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This dish is a great way to use up leftover chicken. I made it with some roasted chicken I had on hand and it turned out great. The squash and dried plums added a nice sweetness and tartness to the dish. I will definitely be making this again.


Zia bangash
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I love this recipe! It's so easy to make and always turns out delicious. The chicken is always moist and flavorful, and the squash and dried plums add a nice sweetness and tartness. I highly recommend this recipe!


Lal Magar
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This is a great recipe for a weeknight meal. It's quick and easy to make, and the chicken is always cooked perfectly. I usually serve it with rice or potatoes and a side of vegetables.


Shabna Nazari
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I found this recipe to be a bit bland. I added some extra spices to the chicken and it turned out much better. The squash and dried plums were a nice addition, but I would have liked the dish to be more flavorful overall.


Seren Fuller
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This dish was a little too sweet for my taste. I think I would have preferred it with fresh plums instead of dried plums. The chicken was cooked perfectly, though, and the squash was very flavorful.


Poorna Nisal
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I'm not a big fan of squash, but I really enjoyed this dish. The chicken was very flavorful and the squash was cooked perfectly. The dried plums added a nice touch of sweetness. I would definitely make this again.


SAIFUL “SAIFUL NADAL” mdsharful TV
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This recipe is a great way to use up leftover chicken. I made it with some roasted chicken I had on hand and it turned out great. The squash and dried plums added a nice sweetness and tartness to the dish. I will definitely be making this again.


Jay Holds
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I've made this dish several times and it's always a crowd-pleaser. The chicken is always moist and flavorful, and the squash and dried plums add a nice touch of sweetness and tartness. I usually serve it with couscous and a side of vegetables.


idrees muhamnd
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This is one of my favorite recipes. It's so easy to make and always turns out great. The chicken is always tender and juicy, and the squash and dried plums add a nice sweetness and tartness. I highly recommend this recipe!


Vilaan Khan
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I made this dish last night and it was delicious! The chicken was cooked perfectly and the squash and dried plums were a great addition. I served it with couscous and it was a perfect meal.


Iron Maiden
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This Moroccan chicken dish was a hit with my family! The chicken was tender and flavorful, and the squash and dried plums added a nice sweetness and tartness. I will definitely be making this again.