Best Moroccan Chicken With Prunes Recipes

MOROCCAN CHICKEN (WITH PRUNES)

Steps:

• Sprinkle half the spice blend over the chicken. Heat the oil and 20g of the butter in a large saucepan or deep-sided frying pan over medium heat.
• Cook the chicken in two batches for 5 minutes,or until evenly browned. Remove from the pan, then add the onion and cinnamon stick and cook for 2-3 minutres before adding the garlic.
• Return the chicken to the pan and add the lemon juice and the remaining spice blend. Season, then cook, covered for 5 minutes.
• Add the stock and prunes to the pan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, uncovered, for 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked and the liquid has reduced to a sauce. Before serving, stir 20g of the butter into the sauce.
• About 10 minutes before the chicken is ready, place the couscous in a heatproof bowl, add 1 1/2 cups of the boiling water and stand for 3-5 minutes. Stir in the remaining butter and fluff with a fork until the butter has melted and the grains separate. Serve with the chicken.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH KUMQUATS AND PRUNES

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper, add to skillet and brown, about 7 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to plate. Pour off all but thin film of fat from skillet. Add onions, reduce heat to medium and sauté until very tender and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Add squash and stir 2 minutes. Add cinnamon, cumin and saffron and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add chicken stock and bring to boil, scraping up browned bits. Add chicken with any drippings on plate, kumquats, pitted prunes and honey.
• Cover skillet and simmer until chicken is cooked through, turning occasionally, about 30 minutes. Uncover and boil until liquid thickens to sauce consistency if necessary. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm covered over medium heat.)
• Mound rice or couscous on plates. Spoon chicken and sauce over. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH PRUNES, HONEY AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown chicken in oil, then remove to a plate.
• Add onion, salt, pepper, cinnamon and turmeric to skillet. Saute until onion is soft and translucent, and spices are fragrant.
• Add enough water to cover bottom of pan 1/8" deep. Arrange chicken pieces in pan. Cover and cook 20-30 min, until chicken is done. Remove chicken to plate.
• Add prunes, almonds and honey to sauce. Stir to combine and cook until prunes are heated through. Pour sauce over chicken. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.

CHICKEN TAGINE WITH PRUNES AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Dry chicken and season with salt and pepper. Heat a large, heavy skillet, preferably cast iron, to very hot. Add chicken (in batches if necessary) skin side down, and sear until skin is golden brown. Remove chicken when browned (do not turn it) and set aside.
• Discard all but a thin film of fat from the pan. Add onion and garlic and sauté on low until soft. Stir in paprika and cumin, cook about a minute and then add prunes, olives, stock and butter. Cook, stirring, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer contents of pan to a 12- to 14-inch tagine, sauté pan or casserole. Place chicken on top, skin side up.
• Cover and cook on medium-low heat about 40 minutes, until chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately or set aside to be reheated. To serve, scatter lemon zest and mint over the chicken, squeeze juice of the lemon on top and bring tagine to the table covered.

MOROCCAN TAGINE OF CHICKEN WITH PRUNES, APRICOTS, AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or other large, heavy frying pan with a cover. Add the onions, and sauté slowly until golden. While the onions are cooking, season the chicken pieces well with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Push aside the onions and tuck the chicken pieces into the pan. Brown them well on all sides.
• Add the prunes, raisins, and apricots to the chicken pieces, along with the saffron, cumin, and paprika, and a cup of water. Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for about 40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked and most of the liquid has evaporated. (Add more water if necessary.)
• Just before serving, toast the almonds in the microwave for 3 minutes, and sprinkle them over the chicken. Serve with saffron rice (see page 278).