Looking for a warm, aromatic, one pot meal that’s both comforting and exotic? This Moroccan Chicken recipe delivers big flavour without fuss. It is has tender chicken simmered in a fragrant spice blend, tangy preserved lemons, and briny olives. It’s a North African classic you can master in your Dutch oven or slow cooker. This Moroccan Chicken recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep or impressing guests at a cosy gathering.

 

Why You’ll Love This Moroccan Chicken Recipe

It is truly tasteful and easy to prepare.

Authentic North African taste: A blend of cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, and paprika gives a bold, earthy flavour.

Set and Forget Cooking: Brown the chicken, simmer with spices, and let your Dutch oven or slow cooker do the rest.

Minimal Cleanup: One pot cooking means no mess and easy prep.

Customisable to your pantry: Add sweetness with dried fruit, spicy heat, or delicious vegetarian substitution.

Make ahead Magic: Flavours deepen overnight. It is great for meal prep or when hosting for a large gathering

Balanced and Nutritious: Packed with lean protein, heart healthy fats, and immune boosting spices.

 

Let’s start cooking!

 

Everyone will love this Moroccan Chicken recipe !

Ingredients You’ll need for this Moroccan Chicken recipe

Ingredients :

For the Marinade:

• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp sweet paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 4 cloves garlic ( minced)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• juice of 1 lemon
• salt & pepper to taste

For the Chicken:

• 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, ( sliced)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 preserved lemon ( thinly sliced)
• 1 cup green or purple olives (pitted or whole )
• Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Step by step instructions:

1. Marinate the chicken

• Combine all marinate ingredients in a large bowl
• Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat evenly.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour
• Overnight is ideal to fully infuse the flavours

 

2. Brown the Chicken

• Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven or slow cooker
• Add chicken pieces, skin side down
• Brown for 4 – 5 minutes until golden
• Brown the chicken in batches to avoid over crowding
• Transfer the browned chicken to a clean dish

3. Saute the onions

• Use the same slow cooker / oven  for sauteing the onions
• reduce the heat to medium
•  add sliced onions
• Cook for 8  – 10 minutes, until soft, stir occasionally, so it doesn’t burn.

4. Build the Base

• After the onions sauteed and is soft
• return the chicken to the pot
• Arrange the chicken pieces with skin up
• Add 1 cup of chicken broth
• Scrap the bottom to deglaze
• Release those flavour Brown bits

5. Simmer

• Reduce the temperature to simmer
• Cover and cook on low heat for 45 minutes or
• Until the chicken is very tender and nearly felling off the bone

6. Complete with Preserved Lemon and Olives

• 15 minutes before cooking ends, stir in the preserved lemon and Olives
• cover with lid and simmer for 15 minutes
• taste and adjust with seasoning with salt and pepper

7. Garnish and Serve

• After 15 minutes of simmering, remove from heat.
• Sprinkle with chopped parsley or coriander

 

The one pot Moroccan Chicken is ready to be served!

 

 

 

 

Serving Suggestions

Serve direct from the pot with serving one of the following side dishes: 

• fluffy couscous – ( plain or lightly seasoned)
• Warm flatbread, like pita or Moroccan khobz
• Steamed Rice, Jasmine or Basmatic
• Tomato & Onion Salad
• Roasted Root Vegetables

 

Health and Nutrition Benefits of this delicious One Pot Moroccan Chicken Recipe!

• Lean protein source – chicken support muscle health and sustained energy
• Powerful spices – Turmeric & Ginger have anti inflammatory properties, cinnamon helps balance blood sugar
• Heart healthy fats – Olive oil and olives provide monounsaturated fats and antioxidants
• Immune support – Garlic aids digestion, preserved lemons add Vitamin C and probiotics
• Low Carb & Gluten Free –  great for Paleo, low carb or gluten sensitive diets

 

Feel free to add variations to your one pot Moroccan Chicken Recipe !

Add sweetness

Add some raisins, dried apricots or prunes at the last 15 minutes of the cooking to add some sweetness and savoury twist

Include Saffron

Add a pinch of Saffron to the broth before simmering. This will add a luxurious aroma and a beautiful aroma color

Spice it Up

If you like spicy meals, add 1/4 – 1/2 tsp of chilli flakes during the onion sauté.

Go Vegetarian

Replace the chicken with chickpeas ( 2 cans) and root vegetables like carrots, sweet potato, or butternut. Increase the broth with 1 1/2 cups and simmer until vegetables are soft. ( 30 – 40 minutes)

Instant  Pot Version

Use the saute mode to brown the chicken and onions

Add the persevered lemons, olives and broth. Cover with lid and cook on High Pressure for 12 minutes.

It is quick. Check the seasoning, add salt and pepper for taste. Garnish and Serve

Slow Cooker Version

• Brown the chicken and onion on the stovetop
• Transfer to slow cooker with marinade, lemons, olives and broth
• Cook on low for 6 – 7 hours
• Cook on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is soft and tender

Storage

Fridge: Storing leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.  Simply reheat the leftovers in a microwave or use a stovetop with a splash of vegetable broth.

Freezer: Freeze leftovers in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight and reheat completely on stovetop using a a pot before serving.

Make ahead: Marinade the chicken overnight and prep onions in advance to save time on busy nights.

 

Final Thoughts

This Moroccan Chicken with olives and persevered lemons is more than just a recipe. It is a celebration of North African flavours. It is simple enough for an everyday meal, yet rich and aromatic enough  to impress guests. With minimal clean up and versatile cooking options. This recipe feels special without being complicated.

Important Tips to remember !

• Marinating overnight brings deeper flavour
• One Pot cooking minimize dishes and maximize taste
• The presevered lemon adds that unmistakable Moroccan Tang.
• Adapts easily to vegetarian meal with spices and sweetness.

From cosy weeknights to festive dinners, this dish delivers comfort, health and global flavour all in one pot.

Happy Cooking!

 

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Thinking of adding a salad to your meal why not try our delicious Tomato and Onion Salad.