TRADITIONAL MOROCCAN CHICKEN

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Traditional Moroccan Chicken image

I have tried several recipes for chicken with lemon & olives but it never did taste the same as I had while in Morocco. When visiting my Moroccan sister-in-law this week she showed me how it is traditionally made. Many times it is served with fried potatoes on top. (Peel & cut the potatoes into french fry length then fry until golden brown.) Smen is rancid butter similar to ghee but with spices added. It can be purchased online or at a Middle Eastern store. Prep time does not include marinating time.

Provided by FDADELKARIM

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 45m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 24

1 whole chicken
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon smen, softened
2 large garlic cloves, peeled & grated
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 -3 onions, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 teaspoons ginger
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon powdered saffron
1/2 teaspoon smen
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/2 preserved lemon, rinsed (rind only, sliced)
1/2 cup green olives, cracked & pitted
1/2 preserved lemon, fleshly insides (remove seeds)
1/2 teaspoon smen
1 teaspoon butter
1 pinch saffron

Steps:

  • Poke small holes in the chicken with a skewer. Mix the ingredients for the marinade then coat the meat & skin of the chicken with the marinade. Let sit in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours.
  • Remove the flesh from the preserved lemon to be used in the browning mixture.
  • Place the chicken in a large pressure cooker. Then add all the ingredients for the sauce to the cooker along with enough water to reach halfway up the chicken. Seal with the lid & cook for 20 minutes (after it begins to hiss). Poke with a fork to make sure that the chicken is done & no blood leaks out.
  • Mix the ingredients for the browning mixture in a small bowl. Once the chicken is done cooking remove it & place on a baking pan. Coat both sides of the chicken with the browning mixture then cook in the oven on 350 degrees until golden brown.
  • Simmer the sauce over medium heat until it thickens, around 10 minutes. If you want your sauce to be more brown in color add 1/4-1/2 tsp of sugar to the pot while simmering.
  • Place the chicken in the center of a large serving dish. Pour the sauce & fried potatoes (if using) over the chicken. Serve hot with thick bread.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 908.4, Fat 70.3, SaturatedFat 17.8, Cholesterol 246.3, Sodium 935.4, Carbohydrate 8.4, Fiber 1.8, Sugar 2.5, Protein 58.3

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