This stew features wonderful moroccan spices, beautiful apricots and tender chicken. You're going to love the aroma that fills your home while it is braising in the oven! The moroccan flavors take an ordinary chicken stew right over the top with this healthy and delicious meal!
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Why you'll love this recipe
The hearty flavors in this stew make it complex and mouthwater. You won't believe how simple it is to make! We just love the aroma as it simmers and bubbles on the stove.
Moroccan Chicken Stew is a hearty stew full of complex flavor. It is hearty and flavorful but it's super simple to make!
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.
- boneless skinless chicken thighs
- fire roasted tomatoes
- tomato paste
- chicken stock
- green pepper
- onion
- chicken stock
The flavors of this exotic-tasting stew are probably spices you already have, but together they combine to make an easy meal with so much flavor! Here are the spices you'll need.
- cumin
- paprika
- cinnamon
- allspice
- salt
- pepper
- red pepper flakes
- serve with white rice or substitute cauliflower rice or brown rice if you'd prefer.
Sweet potatoes, golden raisins, and/or dates are classic additions to this recipe. Green beans would also be a great addition to the stew.
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Preheat oven.
- Measure all of the spice rub ingredients into a 1 gallon zip lock bag, mix well.
- Chop the boneless thighs into 1 inch cubes and put in the spice mixture. Toss with the spice mix until it is completely coated. Set aside.
- Prepare the fruit & vegetables. Quarter the dried apricots, if using fresh, slice in half - remove the seed and dice, no need to peel them.
- Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and sauté the chicken until it is just browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.
- Add the pepper and onions and saute for another 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are soft.
- Next add the garbanzo beans, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, apricots and chicken stock. Stir to combine and place a tight fitting lid on the casserole dish. Place in the oven and bake for one hour.
- Serve over cooked rice.
Equipment
- a good heavy soup pot
- ladle
- sharp knife for dicing and a cutting board.
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FAQ's
The short answer, not at all! Though Moroccan and Indian food are influenced by aromatic spices, Moroccan food mixes a large range of fruits with proteins.
Common spices are cumin, cinnamon, coriander, paprika, saffron, cloves and parsley.
Top Tip
I substituted a few of the traditional spices to keep things a little more mainstream. I want to ensure this is something you could cook at home without making an extra tip to the store to buy spices you'll only use once.
Allspice takes the place of cloves and saffron.
Storage
Refrigerate - Allow to cool completely. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to three days.
Freezer - Freezes well up to three months.
Reheat - Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, reheat over medium heat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Related recipes
- Chicken Tetrazzini Stew - this easy to make 30 minute stew is SO GOOD!
- Lamb Stew Recipe - vegetables and spoon tender meat in a rich gravy sauce, amazing!
- Authentic Posole Recipe - this classic Mexican Stew.
- Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup - you don't have to wait for the holiday to make this amazing meal!
Serve with
Be sure to make a batch of Cheesy Breadsticks or dinner rolls to enjoy with your soup!
A yummy Outback Wedge Salad would lie yummy as well! Or this Citrus Salad, that would really compliment the flavors of the stew.
I love this stew and I think you will too - it's sweet and savory at the same time. I've made this using fresh and dried apricots, it works either way and it's amazing. This dish is traditionally served with steamed rice. It's a complex stew that takes very little effort, yet is healthy and delicious!
Isn't this warm and yummy! I hope you enjoyed the stew. This a great meal all year long. Leave a comment below with your thoughts, ok? Enjoy!
Moroccan Chicken Stew Recipe
Ingredients
- Spice Rub
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons ginger
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon all spice
- pinch red pepper flakes
- Stew Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs or chicken breasts
- 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 1 14 14 oz. can fire roasted tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 green pepper chopped
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- ½ lb dried apricots or 12 fresh apricots
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- **optional - cooked rice**
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees
- Measure all of the spice rub ingredients into a 1 gallon zip lock bag, mix well.
- Chop the chicken pieces into 1 inch cubes and put in the spice mixture. Toss together so the chicken is completely coated. Set aside.
- Prepare the fruit & vegetables, dice the green pepper and onion. Quarter the dried apricots, if using fresh, slice in half - remove the seed and dice, no need to peel them.
- Heat a heavy bottom oven proof pan over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and sauté the chicken until it is just browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add the pepper and onions and saute for another 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are soft. Next add the chickpeas, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, apricots and chicken stock. Stir to combine and place a tight fitting lid on the casserole dish. Place in the oven and bake for one hour.
- Serve over cooked rice.
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Nutrition
Love all of the amazing flavors in Moroccan food? Here are a few more lovely recipes to review and enjoy! I hoping you discover some new flavors and find a great meal to incorporate into your meal rotation!
Moroccan Lamb Stew from The Mediterranean Dish - this recipe include both braising and slow cooker directions.
Moroccan Pad Thai from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures - this meal is full of rice noodles, carrots, zucchini and delicious spices. It has the look and feel of pad Thai, but with a delicious Moroccan twist to the flavors.
Grilled Moroccan Chicken Recipe from West Via Midwest - a healthy option for grilled chicken, comfort food spices flavor the tender chicken for easy, healthy entertaining.
Karen schaefer says
This was so good!
Bowl Me Over says
Good to hear Karen, this one is just so yummy - glad you enjoyed it too!!
Liza says
Will you believe me if I say that I was JUST looking for a non-boring chicken recipe and couldn't think of anything until I saw your recipe? And it's Perfect! It's flavorful, hearty and healthy! I am so excited to get to cooking it ASAP! 🙂
Bowl Me Over says
You're definitely found the perfect soup! There's so much flavor in this bowl I hope you really enjoy it!
April J Harris says
What a beautiful stew, Debra, and such lovely photographs as well! I love the warming spices - this is definitely comfort food! Stumbled. Thank you so much for being a part of our Hearth and Soul Hop.
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful, many thanks for the share and the compliments April - thank you!
Lara says
This sounds amazing! I traveled to Morocco a few years ago and the sweet and savory aspects of this stew capture the essence of Moroccan food. Definitely saving this to try soon!
Bowl Me Over says
How exciting that must have been! I hope you give this a try we really enjoy this soup!!
Prairie Gal Cookin says
I just love the look of this stew - Very hearty and filling! Yum!
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you, I hope you get a chance to try it - we just love this soup!
linda spiker says
Beautiful! Pinned to my Whole 30 board! Great giveaway too.
Bowl Me Over says
Awesome, thanks Linda and good luck with the giveaway!
Peter @ Feed Your Soul Too says
I love the flavors and warmth of this dish.
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you Peter!!
Michelle De La Cerda says
What great flavors. I look forward to trying this out in my kitchen.
Bowl Me Over says
Enjoy Michelle - please let me know what you think!!
Easy Peasy Life Matters says
This sounds to die for!!! Pinned! 🙂
Bowl Me Over says
😀 Hey that made my day, thank you!!
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
What a gorgeous stew Debra. I love the spices and sweet apricots, and was pleasantly surprised to find chickpeas!
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Allie - this is really a family favorite. Made it for my folks this weekend too and they just loved it!
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
This chicken stew looks scrumptious! I can't wait to try it. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Pinning! 😛
Bowl Me Over says
You are welcome, I hope you enjoy it!!
Camilla @FabFood4All says
Love this simple recipe all made in one pan - just delicious:-)
Bowl Me Over says
Simple is best - love a one pot meal, thanks Camilla!
Healing Tomato says
This soup is the very idea of perfection. The colors, the ingredients, the presentation! Oh my! This soup looks is very creative.
Bowl Me Over says
Thank you so much 😀
CakePants says
Mmm...this looks so aromatic and flavorful! At first I thought the orange bits were carrots, and I already thought it looked good, but then when I realized they're apricots?! Yes, please!
Bowl Me Over says
Order up, be ready in 5! 😀 Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Patty Haxton Anderson says
I absolutely love the sound of this! I can almost smell it.
Bowl Me Over says
I hope you give it a try Patty, we LOVE this one!!