Moroccan Chicken With Preserved Meyer Lemons And Green Olives Recipe Epicuriouscom Recipes

MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH GREEN OLIVES AND LEMON

Steps:

• Cut 1 lemon into 8 wedges. Squeeze enough juice from second lemon to measure 2 tablespoons; set wedges and juice aside. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sprinkle with salt and pepper; sauté until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Add next 5 ingredients; stir 1 minute. Add broth; bring to boil. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper; add to skillet. Add lemon wedges. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until chicken is cooked through, turning occasionally, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer chicken to platter. Add olives and 2 tablespoons lemon juice to skillet. Increase heat to high; boil uncovered to thicken slightly, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over chicken.

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.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH PRESERVED MEYER LEMONS AND GREEN OLIVES

Steps:

• Pat chicken dry, then season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté chicken until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer chicken to a plate and keep warm, covered.
• Add remaining tablespoon oil to skillet and reduce heat to moderate. Cook onions and garlic, stirring frequently, until softened but not browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add turmeric and pepper and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
• Scrape pulp from preserved lemon, reserving for another use. Cut rind into thin strips and add to onions with broth, wine, and olives.
• Return chicken, with any juices accumulated on plate, to skillet. Braise, covered, until chicken is cooked through, about 12 minutes. Serve sprinkled with cilantro.

TAKE-OUT MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH PRESERVED LEMONS AND GREEN OLIVES

Steps:

• Prepare the preserved lemons as directed in the recipe.
• Pat the chicken dry, then season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a 12-inch saute pan set over moderately high heat. Saute the chicken until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken to a plate and keep warm, covered.
• Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the ginger, paprika, turmeric, saffron, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook for 1 minute, stirring.
• Add the chicken and stock to the pan, reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 40 minutes, or until the chicken is tender.
• Scrape the pulp from the preserved lemons, and discard or reserve for another use. Cut the lemon rind into slivers and add to the chicken, along with the olives.
• Cook for 5 minutes, uncovered.
• Transfer the chicken to a serving dish and spoon the olives and lemons around them. Add the lemon juice, taste for seasoning, and add more salt if necessary.
• Pour the sauce over the chicken. Sprinkle with the parsley and cilantro and serve.
• Make ahead: This dish can be made up to 2 days ahead and kept covered in the refrigerator. Reheat on the stove over low heat until warmed through.