Moroccanstylechickeninajar Recipes

MOROCCAN CHICKEN STEW

Steps:

• In a large, dry pan, gently toast the almonds for 2 mins until golden - don't take your eyes off them, as they burn easily - then set aside.
• In the same pan, heat the ghee and gently cook the onions for 8 mins until softened. Add the garlic, ginger and spices, and fry for 1 min more.
• Add the chicken thighs, skin-side down, and cook until the skin is golden and crisp, then turn and cook to lightly golden on the flesh side.
• Add the red peppers, lemon slices, olives, stock or bone broth and dates or apricots (and chilli, if using). Simmer with the lid on for about 40 mins until the chicken is cooked through.
• If you find the sauce is too watery, take off the lid and leave it to reduce a little. If the sauce is too thick, add a few more tbsps of water.
• Add the green beans for the final 4 mins of cooking time. Season to taste and top with the coriander, parsley and the toasted almonds to serve.

MOROCCAN-STYLE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Squeeze the juice from 1 lemon, peel and crush the garlic, peel and grate the onion; and mix the chopped herbs - parsley, mint and coriander - together so that they are well combined.
• Mix the oil (150ml = a generous 1/2 cup), lemon juice, garlic, onion and two tablespoons of the herbs together; stir in the paprika and cumin; place the chicken in a shallow dish, pour the oil mixture over the chicken and turn, to coat, and marinate for 30 minutes.
• Heat the remaining oil with the unsalted butter in a non-stick pan.
• Remove the oil from the marinade and reserve half of the marinade.
• Sauté the chicken for 40-50 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked right through.
• Cut the remaining lemon into wedges, halve the olives, and add both to the pan with the reserved marinade, and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the lemon wedges start to change colour.
• Mix the tahini and the remaining herbs.
• Divide the chicken between 4 warm plates, and serve with the tahini/herb mixture garnished with parsley and paprika.
• Variation: If you cannot find tahini, use hummus mixed with 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil or lemon juice.

MOROCCAN STYLE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Add first 8 ingredients to a gallon sized zip top bag. Squoosh around (yes, that is the technical term) to coat the chicken evenly.
• Heat your largest skillet over medium high heat. When it is nice and hot, add the chicken to the pan, spreading it in a single even layer.
• Brown chicken; turn and brown other side, about 4 minutes per side.
• Scoot the chicken to one side of the pan and add the onions. Saute until just carmelized.
• Add apricots and chicken stock; stir gently to combine. Bring to a boil, then turn heat down and simmer 10 minutes.

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.