I've had this recipe in my repertoire for years, it has evolved over time but is one of those tried and tested recipes that whenever I am lacking inspiration or time I go to. This recipe can be turned into a quick dinner, if you use chicken breast, 40 minutes, seriously) or lazy dinner in a slow cooker.
Moroccan Chicken (*adapted from epicurious); 4 servings
- 1 Lemon or preserved lemon
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, halved, thinly sliced (ciseler)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced finely
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon turmeric
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 cups low-salt chicken broth
- 4 pieces of chicken, thighs and legs or breasts
- 1/2 cup green olives
- salt and pepper
1. In a mortar and pestle or food processor, combine garlic, spices and 1 tbsp of olive oil, add 1 teaspoon of both salt and freshly ground pepper. Combine until it forms a paste. Slather on chicken making sure the chicken is evenly seasoned. Marinate for as long as possible, ideally overnight but at least 20 minutes.
2. Heat a dutch oven or a large frying pan with olive oil, sear the chicken well on both sides and then set aside.
3. In the same pan over medium heat, saute the onions until slightly softened, but not fully cooked. Add the chicken back to the pan and add the chicken broth until the chicken is halfway covered. Add the green olives and lemon and then simmer on low-medium heat until chicken is fully cooked (this will be faster for the chicken breast, about 20 minutes and longer for the legs about 30 minutes).
4. When chicken is fully cooked, remove and discard lemon, strain the sauce and reduce in a saucepan, until doubled. Serve the chicken with couscous and some sauce drizzled over!
Now, if you have a bit more time, I would suggest you try making this same recipe but braising the meat for longer, if you do that, you get this great Moroccan Pulled Chicken - with the exact same ingredients, but you have to use chicken legs, otherwise it won't work. Do steps 1 - 3, but ignore step 4 above.
4. Simmer the chicken on low heat, cover with a lid or aluminum foil to lock in the moisture. After 30 minutes, remove the lemon (if you leave it in the whole time it makes the stew a bit bitter). Check and make sure there is enough liquid, you want it to come up about halfway. Keep braising the chicken until you can pull the meat away with a fork. This should take about 1 hr in a pan/dutch over or 2 1/2 hrs if you use a slow cooker.
5. Remove the chicken with tong and place in a large bowl. Strain the sauce and reduce until doubled. Meanwhile, using your finger roughly pull the meat off the bone. You want large chunks because when you add it back to the sauce and heat it up it will continue to shred. Discard the bones and skin.
6. Add the shredded meat and olives back to the sauce. Heat through and serve with couscous or in some pita bread!
Couscous Recipe
Basic Couscous Recipe
1 cup couscous
1 1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
Salt and pepper
Optional Add-in
1/4 cup crushed pistachios
1/4 cup of pomegranate seeds
1/4 cup of diced cucumber
1/4 cup of dried unsweetened cranberries
1/4 cup sultanas (Note - soak in earl grey tea for a few minutes, it helps to rehydrate them and wash off some of the excess sugar)
1. In a kettle or pot, bring water to a boil.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, add dry couscous, olive oil and salt and pepper.
3. Pour boiling hot water over couscous and cover with cling film/plastic wrap. Let stand for 2 minutes and then fluff with a fork. Add in any of the optional add-ins and then serve.
So....I'm a notorious snacker. When I have to sit still, I always feel the need to snack (perhaps it is my need to multi task?). So a key part to my detox is having lots of healthy snacks nearby. One of my favourite snacks is edamame.
