Moroccan chicken

Spiced Moroccan Chicken

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 4

I propose a delicious and aromatic recipe: Moroccan chicken. It’s a simple dish but with an intense flavor that will transport you straight to the heart of Morocco. It’s perfect for a family dinner or to impress guests. Let’s get started!

Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (approximately 1.5 kg), cut into 4-5 pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1 cup of chicken broth (or water)
- 1 cup of pitted green olives
- 1/2 cup of toasted almonds, for garnish
- Fresh coriander, for decoration

Instructions:

1. Preparing the chicken: Start by thoroughly cleaning the chicken and cutting it into 4-5 pieces. It’s important to remove excess fat to achieve a lighter dish. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper on all sides. This step is essential to enhance the flavors.

2. Browning the chicken: In a large skillet, pour the 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces and brown them on each side for 5-7 minutes until golden. This technique not only adds a crispy texture but also enhances the flavor.

3. Adding the spices: Once the chicken is browned, add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet. Stir well to prevent the garlic from burning. After about 1 minute, add the turmeric, cumin, and cinnamon. These spices are essential in Moroccan recipes and will transform the chicken into an aromatic delight.

4. Cooking the chicken: Pour the chicken broth over the chicken and let it come to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. This slow cooking method allows the flavors to develop and the meat to become tender.

5. Adding the olives: After 30 minutes, add the green olives to the skillet. They will provide a pleasant contrast to the intense flavors of the chicken. Let it cook for another 10 minutes, allowing the olives to soak up the sauce’s flavors.

6. Serving: Serve the Moroccan chicken on a platter, sprinkled with toasted almonds and freshly chopped coriander. This detail not only adds color but also a pleasant crunchy texture to the dish. You can accompany this dish with a serving of couscous or basmati rice, which will absorb the delicious sauce.

Practical tips:
- You can also add vegetables like carrots or zucchini to the skillet to create a heartier dish.
- If you like spicy flavors, you can add chopped chili peppers during cooking.
- This Moroccan chicken keeps well in the fridge, and the next day the flavor will be even more intense due to marinating in the aromatic sauce.

Now that you have all the necessary information, all that’s left is to start cooking and enjoy this delicious Moroccan chicken!