When you are in the mood for a delicious spicy chicken dish that can be cooked in one pan, you must try this Spicy Moroccan Chicken Thighs recipe. The tender chicken thighs are marinated in our special spice blend and then added to the sauce. The result is a warm and comforting dish that will easily become one of your one pan favorites.
The Secret Ingredient Is The Spice Rub
To begin preparing this dish, we mix the six spices together to create a rub. The chicken thighs are coated in oil, and then covered with the spice blend. To get the best flavor, we let the chicken marinate for two hours. This rub will keep for several months if stored in a cool closed container.
While the chicken is marinating, we saute the remaining ingredients to create the sauce. The combination of the flavors from olives, apricots, onions, garlic, lemon and tomatoes creates a spicy sauce that we then add the marinated chicken to. So.many.flavors!
After letting the chicken simmer for thirty minutes, dinner is on. The sauce and chicken can be served with any number of side dishes, including rice, potatoes, noodles, quinoa or couscous.
In addition to the off the chart flavor sensation that you will experience when you taste this sauce and chicken, the best thing about this dish is that it is one pan cooking with ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Let's get cooking!
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Ingredients
Add the following ingredients to your shopping list to make this recipe:
Marinade
- cumin
- coriander
- cinnamon
- ginger
- turmeric
- paprika
- chicken thighs
- olive oil
Sauce
- olive oil
- onion
- garlic
- jalapeno pepper
- pureed tomatoes
- chicken stock
- cherry tomatoes
- lemon juice
- green olives
- kalamatta olives
- dried apricots
- salt
- pepper
Garnish
- fresh cilantro
Instructions
Mix all of the spices for the rub in a jar or plastic bag and mix well. Coat the chicken thighs with half of the olive oil and cover the chicken generously the with rub spices. Let marinate for 2-3 hours.
While the chicken is marinating, add the sliced lemons, olives, apricots, onion, garlic, tomatoes, jalapeno pepper, salt and pepper in a pan with remaining olive oil. Saute.
Add pureed tomatoes, chicken stock, lemon juice and chicken thighs to pan. Reduce heat and simmer for 30-35 minutes or until thighs are done.
Serve chicken with chopped cilantro and your choice of side dish.
Storage
This dish will keep in the refrigerator for 4 days, or can be frozen for meal planning.
Top tip
You will get the best results with this recipe if you use fresh ginger and turmeric (if possible). You should let the chicken marinade in the spices for 2 hours to allow the seasoning to permeate the chicken thighs.
If you make this recipe, tag us @foodiechefteam on Instagram and Pinterest
Food safety For Cooking Chicken
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
What To Serve With Spicy Moroccan Chicken Thighs
This dish can serve as the main course in any meal, and can be served with many side dishes:
Rice
Quinoa
Couscous
Noodles
Potatoes
Vegetable Side Dishes
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