Savory Moroccan Chicken and Apricot Stew
Transport your taste buds to the vibrant markets of Morocco with this tantalizing slow-cooked chicken stew. Infused with sweet raisins and apricots, and seasoned with a fragrant blend of ground cumin, ginger, and cinnamon, this dish offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The tender chicken simmers effortlessly in a rich broth, making each bite a delight. Served over fluffy whole wheat couscous and topped with toasted pine nuts and fresh cilantro, this Moroccan Chicken and Apricot Stew is not just a meal; it's an experience.
4
Servings
288
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Carrots
4 (peeled and sliced)
Onions
2 large (halved and thinly sliced)
Skinless Chicken Pieces
2 lbs (seasoned with salt)
Raisins
1/2 cup (raw)
Dried Apricots
1/2 cup (coarsely chopped)
Chicken Broth
1 (14 ounce) can (canned)
Tomato Paste
2 tablespoons (canned)
All-Purpose Flour
2 tablespoons (raw)
Lemon Juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
Garlic
2 cloves (minced)
Ground Cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons (spice)
Ground Ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons (spice)
Ground Cinnamon
1 teaspoon (spice)
Ground Black Pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Hot Cooked Couscous
to serve (whole wheat preferred)
Pine Nuts
to sprinkle (toasted)
Fresh Cilantro
to garnish (optional)
Instructions
1
Begin by peeling and slicing the carrots and halving and thinning the onions. Arrange the sliced carrots and onions at the bottom of a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker.
2
Season the skinless chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, then arrange them on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker.
3
Sprinkle the raisins and coarsely chopped dried apricots evenly over the chicken in the slow cooker.
4
In a medium bowl, combine the chicken broth, tomato paste, all-purpose flour, lemon juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and ground black pepper. Whisk together until smooth to create a flavorful sauce.
5
Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken and fruit layers in the slow cooker.
6
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6.5 to 7 hours, or on high for 3.5 to 4 hours until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
7
Once cooked, serve the stew in individual bowls over a base of hot cooked whole wheat couscous.
8
For a delightful crunch, sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top of each serving, and feel free to garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
Nutrition Information
6g
Fat
22g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Moroccan Chicken and Apricot Stew?
It is a slow-cooked chicken dish infused with sweet raisins, apricots, and a fragrant blend of Moroccan spices like cumin, ginger, and cinnamon.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 4 servings.
How long should I cook the stew on the low setting?
The stew should be cooked on low for 6.5 to 7 hours until the chicken is tender.
Can I cook this Moroccan stew on high heat?
Yes, you can cook it on the high setting for 3.5 to 4 hours.
What are the primary spices used in this recipe?
The dish is seasoned with ground cumin, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon.
What type of chicken is recommended?
The recipe calls for 2 lbs of skinless chicken pieces.
Is this a healthy recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy recipe and contains 288 calories per serving with 22g of protein.
What vegetables are included in the stew?
The recipe includes 4 sliced carrots and 2 large sliced onions.
What size slow cooker is needed?
A 5 to 6-quart slow cooker is recommended for this recipe.
How should I prepare the onions and carrots?
Carrots should be peeled and sliced, and onions should be halved and thinly sliced.
What dried fruits are added to the stew?
The stew uses 1/2 cup of raisins and 1/2 cup of coarsely chopped dried apricots.
What is the base of the sauce mixture?
The sauce is made from chicken broth, tomato paste, all-purpose flour, lemon juice, minced garlic, and various spices.
How much garlic should I use?
The recipe requires 2 cloves of minced garlic.
Why is flour used in the sauce?
Two tablespoons of all-purpose flour are whisked into the sauce to help thicken it as it cooks.
What should I serve with the Moroccan Chicken Stew?
It is best served over a base of hot cooked whole wheat couscous.
What garnishes are suggested for this dish?
Toasted pine nuts for crunch and fresh cilantro are suggested as garnishes.
Does the recipe require salt and pepper?
Yes, the chicken is seasoned with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and ground black pepper is added to the sauce to taste.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 288 calories.
How much fat is in this recipe?
There are 6g of fat per serving.
How much protein is in one serving?
There are 22g of protein in each serving.
In what order should I layer the ingredients in the slow cooker?
Place carrots and onions first, followed by the seasoned chicken, then the raisins and apricots, and finally the whisked sauce mixture.
Can I use fresh lemon juice?
Yes, the recipe specifies 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Is this dish considered spicy?
While it contains warm spices like ginger and cumin and is tagged as 'spicy,' the dried fruit provides a significant sweet balance.
What kind of broth is needed?
One 14-ounce can of chicken broth is used for the sauce.
How much tomato paste do I need?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.
Is the cilantro mandatory?
No, the fresh cilantro garnish is optional.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 17 ingredients listed for this stew.
Is this recipe good for beginners?
Yes, it is tagged as an 'easy recipe' and requires simple slow cooker assembly.
Can I use a different type of couscous?
The recipe recommends whole wheat couscous, but you can use standard couscous if preferred.
Do I need to brown the chicken before putting it in the slow cooker?
No, the instructions state to arrange the raw seasoned chicken pieces directly on top of the vegetables.