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Make this Moroccan Chicken for an easy weeknight meal or for a special occasion. Chicken thighs are cooked juicy, tender and so flavorful.

Moroccan Chicken in a skillet with slice lemons and olives
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This Moroccan Chicken recipe is a tasty Mediterranean dish. This Chicken thigh recipe cooks in a skillet with easy seasonings for a delicious recipe. The perfect meal to cook when you have guests over.

If you love this chicken skillet recipe, make Skillet Honey Mustard Chicken Recipe.

What is Moroccan Chicken?

Moroccan chicken tagine is a skillet recipe where chicken is cooked in a spices, garlic, olives and lemon slices. It is easy to combine together in a large skillet and is traditionally served with couscous or rice.

The sauce is infused with delicious flavors that is always a family favorite.

Ingredients

Moroccan Chicken ingredients chicken thighs, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, salt and pepper, olive oil, onion, garlic, chicken broth, green olives, lemon, raisins, parsley, cilantro, couscous
  • Chicken Thighs, bone-in and skin-on
  • Ground Cumin
  • Dround Coriander
  • Paprika
  • Ground Cinnamon
  • Ground Ginger
  • Ground Turmeric
  • Salt and Black Pepper to taste
  • Olive Oil
  • Large Onion, sliced
  • Cloves Garlic, minced
  • Chicken Broth
  • Green Olives, pitted
  • Lemon, sliced
  • Raisins or Dried Currants (optional)
  • Fresh Parsley, chopped
  • Fresh Cilantro, chopped
  • Couscous or rice, for serving

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients.

Variations Ideas

  • Additions – Feel free to add in other vegetables or fruits to this skillet chicken dinner. Add in tomatoes, dried apricots and lemon zest.
  • Spice Blend – You can easily add or change the spices to what you prefer. Add in ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or allspice.
  • Change Chicken – We used skin-on chicken thighs, but you can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs, chicken breasts or chicken drumsticks.

Step by Step Instructions

Seasoning the chicken thighs

Step 1 – In a small bowl, combine the cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Rub this spice mixture all over the chicken thighs.

Placed seasoned chicken thighs in a skillet

Step 2 – Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, skin side down, and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes on each side. Remove chicken and set aside.

Cooking slice onions in a skillet

Step 3 – In the same skillet, add the onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

Cooked Moroccan Chicken in a skillet with lemon and olives

Step 4 – Return the chicken to the skillet. Add chicken broth, green olives, and lemon slices. Bring to a simmer.

  • Step 5 – Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for about 40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
  • Step 6 – If using, add raisins or dried currants in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
  • Step 7 – Garnish with chopped parsley and cilantro just before serving.
  • Step 8 – Serve the Moroccan Chicken over couscous or rice, spooning the flavorful sauce over the top.

Recipe Tips

  • Chicken: While chicken thighs are used for their juiciness and flavor, other cuts like breast or drumsticks can be used. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
  • Raisins or Dried Currants: These optional ingredients introduce a subtle sweetness, contrasting nicely with the savory and spicy components. Raisins will add a softer sweetness, while dried currants provide a slightly tangier flavor.
  • Cooking Chicken Recipe – Cook the chicken in the skillet with a cover to lock in the juices. Make sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked before serving.
Moroccan Chicken in a skillet

Serving Suggestions

This recipe is served with Easy Couscous Recipe or White Rice topped with slice almonds and lemon juice. We even add a side of air fryer broccoli and homemade breadsticks to soak up the delicious sauce.

You even serve with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a low carb option.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. We think it taste even better the next day as the ingredients marinate together overnight.

Can I Make Ahead of Time?

Yes, we like to marinate the chicken in the spice blend overnight for added flavor.

How to Reheat

When you are ready to serve, reheat the chicken in the microwave or oven depending on how much you have leftover.

Moroccan Chicken in a skillet

More Easy Skillet Chicken Recipes

If you make this Moroccan Chicken Recipe, please leave us a star review. We love to hear from you.

Moroccan Chicken

5 from 2 votes
Make this Moroccan Chicken for an easy weeknight meal or for a special occasion. Chicken thighs are cooked juicy, tender and so flavorful.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 4
Cuisine Moroccan
Course Main Course
Calories 731

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken thighs bone-in and skin-on
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup green olives pitted
  • 1 lemon sliced
  • 1/4 cup raisins or dried currants optional
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
  • Couscous or rice for serving
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Instructions

  • In a small bowl, combine the cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Rub this spice mixture all over the chicken thighs.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, skin side down, and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes on each side. Remove chicken and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add the onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Return the chicken to the skillet. Add chicken broth, green olives, and lemon slices. Bring to a simmer.
  • Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for about 40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
  • If using, add raisins or dried currants in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley and cilantro just before serving.
  • Serve the Moroccan Chicken over couscous or rice, spooning the flavorful sauce over the top.

Recipe Notes

– Chicken: While chicken thighs are used for their juiciness and flavor, other cuts like breast or drumsticks can be used. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
– Raisins or Dried Currants: These optional ingredients introduce a subtle sweetness, contrasting nicely with the savory and spicy components. Raisins will add a softer sweetness, while dried currants provide a slightly tangier flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 731kcal, Carbohydrates 89g, Protein 27g, Fat 30g, Saturated Fat 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat 5g, Monounsaturated Fat 15g, Trans Fat 0.1g, Cholesterol 112mg, Sodium 580mg, Potassium 563mg, Fiber 4g, Sugar 2g, Vitamin A 598IU, Vitamin C 20mg, Calcium 81mg, Iron 3mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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