Best Moroccan Chicken And Lentils Recipes

HARIRA: MOROCCAN CHICKPEA STEW WITH CHICKEN AND LENTILS

Steps:

• Pick over the chickpeas, cover with cold water, and soak overnight at room temperature. Drain chickpeas and rinse well with cold running water. Drain and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Add the chicken in batches, and cook until well browned, about 4 minutes per batch. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside. Add the onions and celery and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the ginger, turmeric, pepper, cinnamon, and nutmeg and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Return the chicken to the pan and add the tomatoes and their juices, stirring well. Stir in the chicken stock, lentils, and chickpeas and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook at a gentle simmer for 1 hour.
• Add the rice and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and return the soup to a simmer. Cook covered for 30 minutes. Remove the lid, add the cilantro, parsley, and lemon juice and cook, uncovered for 5 minutes.
• Ladle into warmed soup bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro sprigs.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN AND LENTILS

Steps:

• Combine 8 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt in heavy large saucepan over high heat. Add lentils; bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until lentils are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well; rinse with cold water and drain again. Place in large bowl.
• Whisk 1 cup olive oil, vinegar, 2 tablespoons cumin, 2 tablespoons chili powder, garlic, and 1 teaspoon salt in large measuring cup. Pour 1 cup dressing over warm lentils and toss. Cool.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in large skillet over high heat. Add onion; sauté until dark brown and soft, about 5 minutes. Add chicken; sauté 2 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon cumin, 2 teaspoons chili powder, and cinnamon. Sauté until chicken is cooked through, about 3 minutes longer.
• Arrange lentils on large platter. Place sliced chicken atop lentils. Drizzle with remaining dressing and sprinkle with parsley. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)

CROCK-POT MOROCCAN CHICKEN AND LENTILS

Steps:

• Spray the inside of the crock-pot with non-stick spray.
• Use the onion slices to cover the bottom of the crock-pot, and then sprinkle the garlic slices on top. Sprinkle a small pinch of salt and pepper over the onions and garlic.
• Rinse and pat dry the chicken thighs. Sprinkle with salt (lightly) and apply a thin dusting of cornstarch- rub in lightly.
• Pre-heat a large non-stick skillet over medium high with the olive oil. Place chicken in pan with enough room for steam to escape. (You may have to brown in separate batches, depending on your pan and your chicken. You definitely don't want to crowd the pan; we are going for brown here, not steamed.) Cook until brown, about 3-5 minutes. Flip and brown on the other side. Remove from heat.
• Mix the spices together in a small bowl. Sprinkle about 1/3 of the mix over the onions and garlic.
• Place chicken in an even layer on top of onions in the crock-pot. Sprinkle 1/3 of the spices on the chicken.
• Pour the lentils on top of the chicken and sprinkle the rest of the spices on top. Pour the chicken broth over the top, turn the crock-pot on high, and cover. Cook for about 4 hours.
• I serve mine along with steamed couscous and roasted cauliflower.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN AND LENTILS

Steps:

• Combine 8 cups water and 1 teaspoons of the salt in a heavy large saucepan over low heat.
• Add the lentils and bring to a boil.
• Cover, reduce heat to medium and simmer about 20 to 25 minutes, or until lentils are tender but not mushy.
• Drain, rinse with cold water, then drain well again.
• Transfer to a large bowl.
• Whisk together the 1 cup of olive oil, red wine vinegar, cumin, chili powder, garlic and salt; pour 1 cup of this dressing over the warm lentils and toss gently.
• Allow to cool.
• In a large skillet,heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and saute onions until dark brown and soft, about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add chicken and saute 2 minutes.
• Add 1 teaspoons salt, the cumin, chili powder and cinnamon.
• Saute until chicken is cooked through, about 5 more minutes.
• Arrange lentils on a large platter and place sliced chicken on top.
• Drizzle with remaining dressing and sprinkle with the fresh parsley.