Dutch Oven Moroccan Chicken 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.

DUTCH OVEN MOROCCAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• 1. RUB THE THIGHS Trim the thighs of any excess fat. Combine 2 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon dried ginger, and 1 teaspoon dried garlic. Rub into both sides of the chicken. Use all of the rub. In a large dutch oven, fry the chicken pieces in 2 tablespoons olive oil, searing the meat over medium heat until nice and brown, then remove the pieces to a plate and set aside. Don't let the oil smoke!
• 2. PREPARE THE VEGETABLES Make sure there is at least two tablespoons oil in the dutch oven. Slice the onions into 1/4 inch wedges. Wash and blot the carrots with paper towels, and add the onions and carrots to the dutch oven. Fry over medium heat until the onions start to brown, then add the 4 tablespoons minced garlic and stir, and then add the 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/4 cup lemon juice and 2 tablespoons honey. Stir. Slice the bell pepper but set it aside.
• 3. ADD THE FRIED THIGHS Add the chicken thighs, pushing them down into the carrots and onions. Add sliced red bell pepper. Stir, cover, and simmer over low heat until chicken and vegetables are very tender. About 24 minutes to cook boneless thighs, and 40 to 45 minutes to cook bone-in thighs. Garnish immediately with cilantro, parsley and chopped green onions and serve. Enjoy!
• 4. SERVING SUGGESTIONS Serve with basmati rice cooked with 1 cup of golden raisins, or cooked buttered egg noodles or mashed potatoes. This is also good served with rice pilaf.
• 5. COOK'S TIP: You can change this up and make it your own. Oven cooking: Bake at 350 to 375 for 30 to 40 minutes depending on your oven

MOROCCAN CHICKEN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine chicken, carrots, onions, tomatoes, chickpeas, stock, water, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Break up the tomatoes with a spoon.
• Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover, and cook for 15 minutes. Add zucchini, and cook until chicken is cooked through, yet still tender, about 15 minutes more.
• Serve couscous in bowls. Spoon chicken, vegetables, and broth on top.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN TAGINE (DUTCH OVEN OR CROCK POT)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375.
• In a Dutch oven, heat up 2 Tablespoons olive oil. Sauté onions and garlic for a few minutes until soft.
• Layer rest of tagine ingredients (except for herb blend) with parsley and cilantro on top.
• In a 2 cup measuring cup add 1 ½ cups water, 2 Tablespoons olive oil and the dried herbs. Mix well.
• Pour water/herb mixture over tagine ingredients.
• Cover Dutch oven and bake for 1 hour.
• Remove cover and bake for ½ hour more.
• Crockpot version:
• Add all ingredients making sure that chicken is under liquid.
• Cook on high for 5 hours.

SKILLET CHICKEN AND PEARL COUSCOUS WITH MOROCCAN SPICES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs, lime juice, olive oil, garlic and cumin. Season well with salt and pepper and stir together until the chicken is well coated in the marinade; set aside at room temperature for 25 to 30 minutes.
• In a deep, 12-inch skillet or Dutch oven with a lid, heat the grapeseed or canola oil over medium-high. When it shimmers, lift the chicken out of the marinade, allowing any excess liquid to drip back into the bowl, then add the chicken to the skillet, skin-side down. Working in batches, if necessary, to avoid crowding the pan, cook until the chicken is well browned on both sides, about 6 minutes per side. Remove and set aside on a plate.
• Reduce heat to medium, add the leek and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, 3 to 4 minutes, scraping up any brown bits that have formed on the bottom of the pan. Stir in the harissa paste, turmeric and cinnamon, and cook until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Season well with salt.
• Add the couscous to the pan and stir until well coated in the spiced leek oil. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Turn heat to low and add the chicken back to the pan, skin-side up, along with any accumulated juices. Cover and simmer until the couscous is al dente and the chicken is cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. If you're lucky, some of the couscous may slightly stick to the bottom of the pan, creating well-seasoned crispy bites.
• Remove from the heat and remove the lid. Scatter with the herbs, if using, and the lime zest, then serve from the pan.