Spiced Moroccan Chicken With Onions And Prunes Recipes

MOROCCAN CHICKEN (WITH PRUNES)

Steps:

• Sprinkle half the spice blend over the chicken. Heat the oil and 20g of the butter in a large saucepan or deep-sided frying pan over medium heat.
• Cook the chicken in two batches for 5 minutes,or until evenly browned. Remove from the pan, then add the onion and cinnamon stick and cook for 2-3 minutres before adding the garlic.
• Return the chicken to the pan and add the lemon juice and the remaining spice blend. Season, then cook, covered for 5 minutes.
• Add the stock and prunes to the pan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked and the liquid has reduced to a sauce. Before serving, stir 20g of the butter into the sauce.
• About 10 minutes before the chicken is ready, place the couscous in a heatproof bowl, add 1 1/2 cups of the boiling water and stand for 3-5 minutes. Stir in the remaining butter and fluff with a fork until the butter has melted and the grains separate. Serve with the chicken.

MOROCCAN TAGINE OF CHICKEN WITH PRUNES, APRICOTS, AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or other large, heavy frying pan with a cover. Add the onions, and sauté slowly until golden. While the onions are cooking, season the chicken pieces well with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Push aside the onions and tuck the chicken pieces into the pan. Brown them well on all sides.
• Add the prunes, raisins, and apricots to the chicken pieces, along with the saffron, cumin, and paprika, and a cup of water. Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for about 40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked and most of the liquid has evaporated. (Add more water if necessary.)
• Just before serving, toast the almonds in the microwave for 3 minutes, and sprinkle them over the chicken. Serve with saffron rice (see page 278).

SPICY MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH APRICOTS AND PRUNES (LOW FAT)

Steps:

• In the morning (or the night before), combine first 13 ingredients in ungreased 2 quart shallow casserole.
• Add chicken. Turn to coat. Cover. Chill for at least 8 hours or overnight. Stir.
• Bake chicken, uncovered, in 400 degree F oven for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH KUMQUATS AND PRUNES

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper, add to skillet and brown, about 7 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to plate. Pour off all but thin film of fat from skillet. Add onions, reduce heat to medium and sauté until very tender and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Add squash and stir 2 minutes. Add cinnamon, cumin and saffron and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add chicken stock and bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Add chicken with any drippings on plate, kumquats, pitted prunes and honey.
• Cover skillet and simmer until chicken is cooked through, turning occasionally, about 30 minutes. Uncover and boil until liquid thickens to sauce consistency if necessary. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm covered over medium heat.)
• Mound rice or couscous on plates. Spoon chicken and sauce over. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

MOROCCAN-SPICED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place a rimmed baking sheet on the center rack of oven and preheat oven to 450 degrees. Mix spices, 2 teaspoons salt, 3/4 teaspoon pepper, and the oil in a small bowl. Rub spice paste all over chicken.
• Carefully arrange chicken in a single layer on hot sheet, and arrange lemon wedges around chicken. Bake until chicken registers 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer and juices run clear, 30 to 35 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and serve with pan juices and roasted lemon wedges on the side.