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Moroccan Chicken Stew Recipe

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★★★★★

4.2 from 44 reviews

A flavorful and aromatic Moroccan Chicken Stew featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a rich sauce of fire-roasted tomatoes, warm spices, ginger, garlic, and sweet medjool dates. This hearty stew combines spices like cumin, cinnamon, paprika, coriander, and turmeric for authentic Moroccan flavor, finished with fresh parsley for brightness. Perfect for a comforting meal that serves 6.

Ingredients

Scale

Base and Sauce

  • 2 yellow or white onions (1 roughly chopped and 1 sliced)
  • 2 (14 oz/400 g) or 1 (28 oz/800 g) crushed tomatoes, preferably fire-roasted
  • 1 inch fresh ginger (about 1 tablespoon), chopped
  • 4 large cloves garlic
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken stock (600 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (15 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar or 1 tablespoon honey

Chicken

  • 6–8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • Salt & black pepper, to season the chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Vegetables and Spices

  • 2 large carrots, peeled and diced
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

Finishing

  • 8 medjool dates, seeds removed and chopped into small pieces
  • Fresh parsley, optional for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare the blended base: In a blender, combine the roughly chopped onion, canned tomatoes, chopped fresh ginger, and garlic cloves. Blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and set aside for later.
  2. Heat the pot and sear chicken: Warm a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and heat until shimmering. Season the chicken thighs with salt and black pepper on both sides, then add to the hot pan. Cook each side for about 3-4 minutes until the chicken is golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
  3. Sauté onions and carrots: In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the sliced onions and gently fry for about 5 minutes until they start to soften. Add the diced carrots and cook for another 5 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent.
  4. Add spices: Stir in the ground cumin, cinnamon, paprika, coriander, and turmeric. Gently fry the onions and carrots with the spices for about 1 minute over low heat to release their aromas.
  5. Combine with blended base: Pour the blended onion and tomato mixture into the pot with the spiced vegetables. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes to meld flavors together.
  6. Add chicken and simmer: Return the seared chicken thighs to the pot. Stir in the chicken stock, red wine vinegar, and light brown sugar (or honey). Bring everything to a simmer, then cover the pot with a fitted lid. Cook gently for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and allow flavors to develop.
  7. Shred the chicken: Remove the chicken from the pot and place on a plate or cutting board. Using two forks, shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  8. Reintroduce chicken and dates: Stir the shredded chicken back into the stew along with the chopped medjool dates. This adds sweetness and a lovely texture contrast.
  9. Final seasoning and serving: Taste the stew and season with additional salt if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot for a delicious Moroccan-inspired meal.

Notes

  • Fire-roasted tomatoes add a deeper, smokier flavor but canned regular crushed tomatoes work well too.
  • The cooking time can be extended for a thicker stew and more tender chicken.
  • Medjool dates provide natural sweetness; alternatively, dried apricots could be used.
  • This stew pairs wonderfully with couscous, rice, or warm flatbread.
  • For a spicier kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or harissa paste with the spices.

Keywords: Moroccan chicken stew, chicken thighs stew, spicy chicken stew, North African recipe, chicken with spices, slow simmered chicken, medjool dates in chicken

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/moroccan-chicken-stew-recipe/