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    Home » Cuisine » Arabic and Middle Eastern

    Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Stew

    Published: Nov 10, 2010 · Modified: Apr 17, 2022 by Faith · This post may contain affiliate links · 49 Comments

    Rich and flavorful Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Stew is a wonderfully delicious nourishing comfort food that's perfect for warming up with on a cold evening.

    Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Stew 1

    When I was thinking of making this dish it started out in my mind as Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Stew with Quince. Until Mike informed me that he doesn’t like quinces, with the too-similar resemblance in flavor and texture they bear to apples (yes, he doesn’t like apples either). So I improvised and added potato and carrot (both Mike-approved) instead. We both enjoyed the end result so it was worth the substitutions I made; Mike said it reminded him of a Kuwaiti dish he used to eat as a child (that he forgot the name of!).

    The broth of this dish is really incredible and is actually more like gravy. It’s richly spiced and thick, mostly because of the onion, which just melts into the liquid. The thing about this broth is the longer it simmers, the more the flavors marry and the more delicious it becomes. This is why I used chicken thighs, which stand up better to longer cooking than chicken breasts. Bone-in chicken would also be fantastic here, just be sure to take off the skin, since it adds a tremendous amount of unnecessary fat and would end up rubbery after stewing in this dish.

    Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Stew 2

    Print
    Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Stew
    Prep time:  20 mins
    Cook time:  1 hour 30 mins
    Total time:  1 hour 50 mins
    Yield: 4 to 6 servings
     
    Rich and flavorful Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Stew is a wonderfully delicious nourishing comfort food that's perfect for warming up with on a cold evening.
    Ingredients
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1½ to 2 lbs total weight), trimmed of fat
    • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
    • 2 medium-large onions, diced
    • 1 tablespoon ras el hanout spice mix (see Note)
    • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 3 cups chicken stock
    • 2 medium (about ¾ to 1 lb) potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
    • 3 medium-large carrots, peeled and cut into 1 to 2-inch pieces
    • Salt and black pepper
    • Fresh minced parsley, for garnish (optional)
    Instructions
    1. In a large Dutch oven or thick-bottomed soup pot, heat the oil over medium-high to high heat. Dredge the chicken in the flour and gently shake off any excess; add the chicken to the hot oil and sear until browned on both sides, about 2 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
    2. Add the onion to the Dutch oven. Turn the heat down to medium and sauté until the onion is softened, about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the ras el hanout, turmeric, and bay leaf and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
    3. Add the chicken stock, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and use a wooden spoon to scrape any brown bits that have formed on the bottom; add the chicken (with juices).
    4. Bring to a boil, and then turn down to a gentle simmer and cover the Dutch oven, leaving the lid slightly ajar. Cook 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    5. Add the potatoes and carrots, turn heat up and bring back up to a gentle boil, and then turn heat down to a simmer and cook about 30 minutes (covered, but with lid slightly ajar) until the veggies are tender, stirring occasionally. (You can remove lid for a bit if you want the sauce to thicken more.)
    6. Taste and add additional salt and black pepper as desired. Serve the stew garnished with fresh minced parsley.
    Notes
    Ras el Hanout: This is a Moroccan spice blend that’s common across the Middle East. You can buy it at Middle Eastern grocery stores, or you can make your own at home. To make a small batch for this recipe (approximately 1 tablespoon), combine the following ground spices: ¾ teaspoon cumin, ¾ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon allspice, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon coriander, ¼ teaspoon turmeric, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 pinch cloves, 1 pinch nutmeg, and 1 pinch cardamom.

    Reheating: Like many stews, this is even better the next day. It thickens quite a bit upon standing, so you may need to add a splash of water before reheating. To reheat, cook over medium-low heat on the stovetop until warm throughout.
    3.3.3070

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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




      Rate this recipe:  

    1. Jennifer says

      January 24, 2014 at 9:11 pm

      Made this tonight and it was so very tasty! thank you so much for sharing! I will definitely be making this on a regular basis :)

      Reply
    2. debi says

      March 28, 2013 at 11:24 am

      Will make this tomorrow as i have most of the spices already. Just came home from a 3-week trip to the middle-east. Glad I found your site.

      Reply
    3. Laura says

      November 19, 2010 at 4:12 pm

      I made this last night and it was so fabulous! I of course made my own changes to it.. I only had a whole chicken on hand and not enough time to cut it up and dredge and brown it.. so I put the whole mess in the crockpot and broke the chicken up when it was cooked. It was tremendous! Even with my mutations which I'm certain sacrificed considerable flavor. Next time I'll do it the right way -- but I think as long as I take away some of the broth --the crockpot is totally the way to go.. YUMMM>> Thanks so much.

      Reply
      • admin says

        November 19, 2010 at 6:48 pm

        Laura, I'm so glad you enjoyed the stew! Your changes sound great actually...I love the idea of using the crockpot!

        Reply
    4. Nutmeg Nanny says

      November 15, 2010 at 1:23 pm

      Such great flavors! I cook a lot with boneless skinless chicken thighs...they are so tasty! That spice blend sounds great too...yum!

      Reply
    5. kim says

      November 14, 2010 at 6:16 am

      Would be lovely as leftover...that is if there's any left. :)

      Reply
    6. Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says

      November 13, 2010 at 6:33 pm

      This stew looks like the ultimate comfort food- yum! Thanks for the recipe for the spice mixture. :)

      Reply
    7. marla {family fresh cooking} says

      November 13, 2010 at 7:09 am

      This Moroccan stew sounds great & I would partner with you in trying the quince or apple version. Not sure I have ever had quince - but I am sure I could roll with that. Looks yummy girl!

      Reply
    8. Gitte says

      November 12, 2010 at 4:16 pm

      Fantastic looking soup, perfect for the season.

      Reply
    9. Krista says

      November 12, 2010 at 11:47 am

      What a great cold evening meal, Faith!

      Reply
    10. pigpigscorner says

      November 12, 2010 at 7:59 am

      The gravy looks extremely rich and tasty!

      Reply
    11. Velva says

      November 12, 2010 at 7:39 am

      Beautiful stew! This is a dish that is soul satisfying and perfect for an autumn evening.

      Reply
    12. Carol says

      November 12, 2010 at 7:35 am

      Great looking stew! So hearty for this weather! and the plate it's on is just so pretty!

      Reply
    13. Angie's Recipes says

      November 12, 2010 at 7:34 am

      It has been stormy, rainy and COLD here...and how I wish a bowl of this comforting stew for the dinner!
      Angie

      Reply
    14. Michelle @ Find Your Balance says

      November 12, 2010 at 6:35 am

      Perfect on a cold day! I bet I could make this in the slow cooker...

      Reply
    15. Chiara says

      November 12, 2010 at 2:48 am

      I have been thinking about making some Moroccan food ever since someone gave me a cookbook for my birthday.... this looks delicious too, and since I like apples I could put some in too!

      Reply
    16. Monet says

      November 11, 2010 at 10:42 pm

      What a hearty stew! This would be great after a cold day. I love Moroccan flavors and spices, so I know that this would hit the spot! Thank you for sharing...I hope your Friday is delightful!

      Reply
    17. Reeni says

      November 11, 2010 at 7:34 pm

      Another wonderful stew from you Faith! I love the sound of the thick gravy-like broth. It looks incredibly warming and delicious!

      Reply
    18. Deeba @ PAB says

      November 11, 2010 at 6:31 pm

      I ♥ the stew that Mike approved faith...such a familiar ring to the tale. I love the flavours, the way they married and the way the onions melted into the soup to make a gravy....mmmm! Nom nom nom!

      Reply
    19. Blackswan says

      November 11, 2010 at 5:07 pm

      This looks a litte like one of my fave dishes - Chicken Curry! Only difference is there's no coconut milk here & thanks for introducing me to Ras el hanout!

      Reply
    20. Honey @ honeyandsoy says

      November 11, 2010 at 4:59 pm

      Faith, this looks so absolutely good!!!! I really want some!!!

      Reply
    21. Anna Johnston says

      November 11, 2010 at 4:13 pm

      Before I even started to read I was drooling over the photo Faith, this looks so rich and tasty! Gotta love the guys and their straight talking food dislikes huh so thinking your a champ to play with the substitutions although the Quince does sound amazing too. Seriously Faith, this is uber drool worthy, love the plate you've served it up in too. Big thumbs up from me :)

      Reply
    22. Magic of Spice says

      November 11, 2010 at 3:48 pm

      Wonderful and hearty dish...this is just the type of stew my kids love :)

      Reply
    23. Julie M. says

      November 11, 2010 at 3:03 pm

      This is my kind of stew! I love hearty dishes like this. they warm you from the inside out; perfect for a cold fall evening.

      Reply
    24. Mimi says

      November 11, 2010 at 2:54 pm

      A hearty and flavorful soup.
      Mimi

      Reply
    25. tasteofbeirut says

      November 11, 2010 at 2:00 pm

      These photos are amazing and the stew is just delicious, even if the potatoes and carrots sound a bit humdrum after the quince!

      Reply
    26. Blond Duck says

      November 11, 2010 at 11:39 am

      Ben's weird about chicken and apples too, so I know he'd love your changes!

      Reply
    27. Maria @ Scandifoodie says

      November 11, 2010 at 11:28 am

      Such warming and lovely flavours! It would be perfect if only we weren't hitting the high temperatures here in Sydney!

      Reply
    28. HPD says

      November 11, 2010 at 11:14 am

      This just jumped to #1 on my to do list!!

      Reply
    29. Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says

      November 11, 2010 at 11:05 am

      I could see the warmth from the stew and spices really heating you up on a cold night. Sounds delicious!

      Reply
    30. Victoria says

      November 11, 2010 at 9:26 am

      This looks so comforting!

      Reply
    31. Evelyne@CheapEthnicEatz says

      November 11, 2010 at 8:16 am

      Well look who is getting all ethnic on me lol. I love Moroccan food. Gee, why do all the foodie end up with such difficult food partners lol.

      Reply
    32. Erica says

      November 11, 2010 at 7:48 am

      Beautiful- looks so warm and comforting. Doesn't like apples? Josh doesn't like tomatoes and I'm always amazed. Guess we all got our own things ;)

      Reply
    33. Ameena says

      November 11, 2010 at 7:43 am

      This is the perfect dinner for the chilly nights we've been having here in L.A.

      Love your beautiful dishes, as usual!

      Reply
    34. Louanne says

      November 11, 2010 at 7:35 am

      Mmmmmm, Faith, this looks amazing. The spice mix sounds so warm and spicy, perfect with the chicken.

      Reply
    35. Rich says

      November 11, 2010 at 6:59 am

      You know, I like quince and apples, but I'd say the carrots and potatoes are more than a satisfactory substitute! This looks fantastic ...

      Reply
    36. chriesi says

      November 11, 2010 at 6:45 am

      Mmm that is totally mouthwatering!

      Reply
    37. Beth says

      November 11, 2010 at 5:25 am

      How can anybody not like apples? Anyway, the stew looks amazing the way you made it. All I need to hear are the words "Moroccan" and "stew" and I'm in!

      Reply
    38. Joanne says

      November 11, 2010 at 6:26 am

      He doesn't like APPLES?!?!? I'm not sure that I could live with a man like that. But...he DID like this stew. So maybe I could give him another chance. Sounds delicious!

      Reply
    39. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says

      November 11, 2010 at 3:38 am

      Heehee at Mike approved! When you said that the sauce was like a gravy I was sold! :P

      Reply
    40. Katerina says

      November 11, 2010 at 12:35 am

      I've been wanting to cook a Moroccan dish for so long. Your stew looks so comforting, it makes me want to go to the kitchen and turn on the stove immediately.

      Reply
    41. Rosa says

      November 10, 2010 at 11:31 pm

      A gorgeous stew! Love those flavors.

      Cheers,

      Rosa

      Reply
    42. Anh says

      November 10, 2010 at 11:26 pm

      Such a lovely stew! I really like the Morrocan flavours here.

      Reply
    43. Lazaro says

      November 10, 2010 at 8:53 pm

      Faith,

      Without a doubt the longer it simmers that more the flavors meld. That where you get the real complex flavor profiles. I love the thickness of the broth. Using the bone would add even more thickness.

      Glad that you used the thigh, that where all the flavor is. Great spice mix. Especially the Ras el hanout. Another fantastic dish!

      Reply
    44. Nicole, RD says

      November 10, 2010 at 8:04 pm

      I love thick broths, mmm :) Looks wonderful! My question is: who doesn't love apples?! Silly Mike...!!

      Reply
    45. Swathi says

      November 10, 2010 at 6:54 pm

      Moroccan spiced chicken soup looks delicious. I love any spicy food. This one I need to try.

      Reply
    46. Sara says

      November 10, 2010 at 6:52 pm

      Oh Faith, this stew looks sooo good! Stews are so comforting, yours has all of my favorite Moroccan flavors especially Res-al-Hanout!

      Reply
    47. Jen says

      November 10, 2010 at 6:43 pm

      I just want to dig in - so nice and hearty! Your photos are gorgeous!

      Reply
    48. BeadedTail says

      November 10, 2010 at 6:07 pm

      That stew looks so hearty and comforting! I love potatoes and carrots in a stew - yum!

      Reply

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