Best North African Chicken Recipes

NORTH AFRICAN CHICKEN TAGINE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C/gas 4. Cut each chicken breast in half, then season all the chicken. Heat the oil in a mediumsize ovenproof casserole dish. Add the chicken, skin-side down, and brown well all over - you can do it in batches. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Lower heat slightly, add the shallots to the pan and cook until golden brown all over. Add the garlic and grated ginger and cook for 30 secs before adding all the spices and cooking for 1 min more.
• Throw the butternut squash into the pan and stir to coat in the spices. Arrange the chicken, skin side uppermost, on top of the shallots and squash. Pour over the stock and drizzle in the honey. Bring to a gentle simmer, then transfer to the oven to bake for 40 mins until tender. Scatter with the coriander and serve with couscous and a bowl of harissa, if you like.

NORTH AFRICAN CHICKEN AND RICE

Steps:

• In a 3- or 4-qt. slow cooker, combine onion and oil. Place chicken thighs on top of onion; sprinkle with next 7 ingredients. Top with raisins, olives, lemon and garlic. Add broth. Cook, covered, on low until chicken is tender, 4-5 hours. Serve with hot cooked rice.

GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH NORTH AFRICAN SPICE PASTE

Steps:

• Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking with medium-hot charcoal.
• Coarsely grind chiles, spice seeds, garlic, and peppercorns in grinder or with mortar and pestle, then stir together with salt and oil in a bowl to form a spice paste. Rub paste all over chicken.
• Oil grill rack, then grill chicken, skin sides down first, over coals, turning over occasionally and moving around if flare-ups occur, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes total.
• Move chicken to area with no coals underneath, arranging chicken so that thicker sides are closest to coals, then cover with inverted roasting pan and grill, turning chicken over once, until just cooked through, 15 to 17 minutes. Transfer to a platter and let stand 5 minutes before serving.

NORTH AFRICAN CHICKEN AND SPINACH STEW

Steps:

• PLACE the chicken in a large pot and cover it with water. Add the celery, carrot, onion, and bay leaves and season with 1 tablespoon salt. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
• REMOVE the chicken to a deep dish or bowl and let it drain. Strain the stock into a large bowl or pan and set aside. Transfer the vegetables from the strainer to a blender (remove the bay leaves), add the garlic, and puree until completely smooth. Set aside.
• TO make the spinach stew, in a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter. When it's bubbling slightly, add the vegetable puree. Warm it through, about 2 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon salt, the pepper, and the cinnamon stick, then add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups of the reserved stock and bring to a simmer. Cook to let the flavors develop, about 15 minutes. Reduce the heat and keep warm (remove the cinnamon stick before serving).
• MEANWHILE, when the chicken is cool enough to handle, pat it completely dry and break it down into 8 pieces: 2 thighs, 2 wings, and 2 breasts, then split the breasts in half. Place the chicken pieces in a large dish. Combine the granulated onion, granulated garlic, paprika, cayenne, oregano, and 1 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Completely coat the chicken in this dry rub.
• MELT the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Add the chicken pieces and sear until charred in spots, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side, 4 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• SERVE the chicken with rice and a generous ladle of spinach stew. Squeeze lemon over the plate if desired.

NORTH AFRICAN INSPIRED RUB FOR FISH AND CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to medium-high.
• Combine all the spices in a small bowl. Brush both sides of fish fillets or chicken breasts with oil. Rub 1 side of the fish fillets or chicken breasts with the rub and grill, rub side down, until golden brown and a crust has formed, about 4 minutes. Flip over and continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes.
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NORTH AFRICAN SPICED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the grill to medium-high.
• Combine all the spices in a small bowl. Brush both sides of fish fillets or chicken breasts with oil. Rub 1 side of the chicken breasts with the rub and grill, rub side down, until golden brown and a crust has formed, about 4 minutes. Flip over and continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes.

NORTH AFRICAN CHICKEN AND CHICKPEAS SHEET PAN DINNER

Steps:

• Position a rack in the top third of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Lay the lemon slices in an even layer on one side of the baking sheet. Place the chicken thighs skin-side up on top of the lemon slices and brush with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle the chicken thighs with berbere, chili powder, ground cumin, and some salt and pepper. Place the carrots in the center of the baking sheet (leaving an empty space on the other side) and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, the za'atar and some salt. Toss to coat and top with the whole cinnamon stick.
• Roast until the carrots are almost completely tender and the chicken thighs are crispy on top and almost cooked through, 40 minutes. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and add the chickpeas to empty space, tossing with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and some salt and pepper; spread into an even layer.
• Roast until the chicken has brown, crisp skin and reads an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, the carrots are completely tender and browned in spots, and the chickpeas are warmed through, about 5 minutes more. Discard cinnamon stick. Divide the chicken and vegetables between two plates and serve with the pan juices drizzled over.

CHICKEN SOUP NORTH AFRICAN STYLE

Steps:

• Cut one carrot in half; place in a medium stockpot. Add chicken, 2 quarts water, leeks, celery, parsley, thyme, bay leaves, and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer for about 1 hour; skim off any scum. Remove chicken. Pass stock through a cheesecloth-lined strainer. Remove chicken meat from bones and slice into 1/2-inch-thick strips.
• Rinse stockpot; return stock to it. Set over medium-low heat; add ground pepper. Dice remaining 2 carrots. Add carrots, tomatoes, cumin, ginger, and squash to stock; simmer over medium heat until vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add couscous and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Stir in jalapeeno cilantro.
• Add zucchini and chickpeas to soup; cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add chicken meat; simmer to heat through, about 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning.
• To serve, place a spoonful of couscous in a soup bowl; spoon soup around it and add a cilantro sprig and lime wedge.

NORTH AFRICAN QUICK TAGINE-STYLE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, in a slow stream, and add smashed garlic. Season the chicken with seasoning blend. Scatter chicken around the pan in an even layer. Cook chicken pieces 2 minutes on each side to brown, then add the onions, prunes, raisins and stock. Mix spices in a small dish and scatter over the pot. Cover and reduce to moderate heat. Cook 7 or 8 minutes, remove the lid and stir.
• To prepare the couscous, bring chicken stock to a boil. Add couscous, extra-virgin olive oil and scallions and remove the couscous from the stove immediately. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork.
• Uncover chicken and cook another 2 to 3 minutes to thicken slightly. Adjust the seasoning, to taste, and serve chicken on a bed of couscous. Garnish with chopped cilantro and scallions. Serve with chutney.

NORTH AFRICAN SPICY CHICKEN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In small bowl, combine curry powder, cumin, salt, paprika, cinnamon and pepper flakes; mix North African Spice Blend well. In another small bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, gingerroot and 1 tablespoon North African Spice Blend (reserving remaining Spice Blend for couscous); blend well. Reserve 1/2 cup mixture for basting. Place chicken in plastic bag with remainder of marinade and turn to coat. Let stand in refrigerator 15 minutes. Grate 1 teaspoon zest from orange. Cut away remaining peel and pith. Chop orange; set aside. Remove chicken from marinade and place on broiler pan about 5-inches from heat. Broil 7 minutes; turn chicken, brush with reserved marinade. Broil additional 6 minutes or until fork can be inserted with ease and juices run clear. While chicken is broiling, bring broth, currants, orange zest and remaining Spice Blend to a boil. Stir in couscous. Remove from heat, let stand 5 minutes. Stir in chopped orange, toasted nuts, onions and cilantro. Spread on serving platter. Remove chicken to cutting board and slice diagonally into 1/2-inch slices. Arrange on couscous. Garnish with citrus curls.

NORTH AFRICAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine Seasoning Mix, Lemon Juice, Olive Oil and garlic, mixing well.
• Marinate the the chicken for two hours, refrigerated.
• Grill chicken 20 minutes or until juices run clear, basting with marinade.

NORTH AFRICAN CHICKEN AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan, and gradually stir in couscous and raisins.
• Remove from heat.
• Cover; let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
• Combine orange juice and next 6 ingredients (orange juice through black pepper); stir well with a whisk.
• Combine the couscous mixture, juice mixture, chicken, and remaining ingredients in a large bowl, and toss well.
• Garnish with green onions, if desired.

NORTH AFRICAN STYLE CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a small dish combine the spices. Place the chicken in a resealable container, add spice mixture, close container and shake to coat.
• In a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken and allow to brown briefly. Slowly stir in the orange juice and vinegar. Cook and stir for about 3 to 5 minutes or until chicken is warmed through and flavors have blended.
• Serve over couscous or rice.

NORTH AFRICAN CHICKEN STEW (BOSTON GLOBE 1/9/2013)

Steps:

• 1. Set the oven at 350 degrees. 2. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. 3. In a large flameproof casserole over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Brown the chicken for 5 minutes on a side or until golden. Continue browning chicken, using more oil if necessary, until it is all golden. Transfer to a plate. 4. Spoon off all but 1 tablespoon of oil from the pan. Add the onions and carrots and cook, stirring often, for 8 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, ginger, paprika, and turmeric. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the stock, tomatoes, and orange rind and juice. Return the chicken to the pan. Bring to a boil. 5. Cover and transfer to the oven. Cook for 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Reserve 4 chicken thighs for the soup. Transfer the remaining chicken to a platter. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve over couscous or rice.

GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH NORTH AFRICAN SPICE P

Steps:

• 1. Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking with medium-hot charcoal
• 2. Coarsely grind chiles, spice seeds, garlic, and peppercorns in grinder or with mortar and pestle, then stir together with salt and oil in a bowl to form a spice paste. Rub paste all over chicken.
• 3. Oil grill rack, then grill chicken, skin sides down first, over coals, turning over occasionally and moving around if flare-ups occur, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes total.
• 4. Move chicken to area with no coals underneath, arranging chicken so that thicker sides are closest to coals, then cover with inverted roasting pan and grill, turning chicken over once, until just cooked through, 15 to 17 minutes. Transfer to a platter and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
• 5. cooks' notes:•Chicken can be grilled on a gas grill. Preheat all burners on high, covered, 10 minutes. Reduce heat to moderately high and brown chicken, skin sides down first, covered, turning over occasionally, about 4 minutes. Turn off 1 burner (middle one if there are 3) and put chicken, skin sides up, above shut-off burner, then grill, covered, without turning, until just cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. •Chicken, rubbed with spice paste, can marinate, covered and chilled, up to 4 hours before grilling. •Spice paste keeps, covered and chilled, up to 1 week.

GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH NORTH AFRICAN SPICE PASTE

Steps:

• Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking with medium-hot charcoal.
• Coarsely grind chiles, spice seeds, garlic and peppercorns in grinder or mortar and pestle, then stir together with salt and oil in a bowl to form a spice paste. Rub paste all over chicken.
• Oil grill rack, then grill chicken skin sides down first, over coals, turning over occasionally and moving around if flare-ups occur, until browned, 4-6 minutes total.
• Move chicken to area with no coals underneath, arranging chicken so that thicker sides are closest to coals, then cover with inverted roasting pan and grill, turning chicken over once, until just cooked through, 15-17 minutes.
• Transfer to a platter and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
• NOTES: Chicken can be grilled on a gas grill. Preheat all burners on high, covered, 10 minutes. Reduce heat to moderately high and brown chicken, skin sides down first, covered, turning over occasionally, about 4 minutes. Turn off 1 burner (middle one if there are 3) and put chicken, skin sides up, above shut-off burner, then grill, covered, without turning, until just cooked through, 15-20 minutes.

NORTH AFRICAN CHICKEN WITH SPICY GREEN SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Drain the soaked chickpeas, then cover with 8 cups water in a large pot. Add the onion stuck with cloves and the bay leaf, bring to a boil, then gently simmer for 40 to 60 minutes, until tender. Season with salt, leaving the chickpeas in their broth. Chickpeas may be cooked in advance. (If using canned chickpeas, rinse and add salt to taste.) 2. While chickpeas cook, make the spice mixture and cook chicken: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the coriander, cumin and caraway seeds until fragrant. Grind to a coarse powder with a mortar or in a spice mill. Stir in the cayenne. 3. Rinse the chicken legs and pat dry. Season generously on all sides with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the spice mixture and rub into the meat. (This may be done ahead, even the night before.) 4. In a heavy-bottomed enameled soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken legs and brown gently until golden, about 4 minutes a side. Remove legs and set aside. In the same pot, add diced onions and a little salt. Let onions soften and color for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, and scraping up any brown bits. Add cinnamon stick and garlic and cook for a minute more. 5. When chickpeas are cooked, drain, reserving broth. Return the chicken to the pot and pour in 4 cups of chickpea broth (or water). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook, covered, for 25 minutes. 6. Add chickpeas, carrots and turnips and cook, covered, for 15 minutes more. Let rest 5 minutes and skim excess fat. Serve with broth, spicy green sauce and buttered couscous or rice, if desired.

NORTH AFRICAN CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring broth and wine to a boil. Add the finely diced carrots and egg noodles and simmer for about 15 minutes.
• Stir in chicken, chopped parsley, cumin and pepper.
• In a small bowl, beat the egg with the lemon juice and beat in about 1/4 cup of the hot broth.
• Add this egg mixture SLOWLY to the broth mixture in the saucepan, stirring constantly (so egg does not "scramble"); DO NOT BOIL.
• Salt to taste and serve.

CHICKEN SALAD WITH NORTH AFRICAN SPICES

Steps:

• Combine the first eight ingredients in a bowl.
• Stir well and add remaining ingredients.
• Toss well and serve.

NORTH AFRICAN CHICKEN THIGHS WITH DATES & POMEGRAN

Steps:

• 1. In a small sautépan, add almonds and sauté until golden; set aside. Season chicken thighs with black pepper and ground sea salt; set aside. In a large saucepan over medium heat, add oil and clarified butter. When hot, place thighs (skin down first) and sauté about 5 minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate and remove most of the fat in the pan, keeping only 1 tbsp. Add the trinity and sauté for 5 minutes. Add chopped tomato and sauté for 3 minutes. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
• 2. Add Ras el-Hanout, turmeric, cayenne pepper, garlic and ginger; sauté for 1 ½ minutes. Pour chicken broth and pomegranate molasses; cook for 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed by adding freshly ground black pepper. Add dates and sauté for 2 minutes. Place thighs back to the pan, skin up, cover and transfer into the preheated oven for 1:30 hours, basting every 20 minutes.
• 3. 15 minutes before the end of cooking, start boiling the chicken broth (1 ½ cups) for the couscous and add a pinch sea salt. When boiling, add couscous (1 cup), stir, cover and remove from the heat. Let it stand for 5 minutes; fluff before serving.
• 4. Remove the saucepan and transfer chicken thighs onto a serving plate. Add cornstarch mixture to thicken the sauce. Add butter to make the sauce shiny. Place chicken over couscous and spoon sauce over. Sprinkle almonds and parsley and serve with plain yogurt on the side. Serve 4 to 6 servings
• 5. To view this recipe on YouTube, click on this link >>>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P6mJMuQtKA