Description
Experience the warmth of Morocco with this comforting, flavor-packed stew. This easy one-pot meal features tender chicken thighs simmered with earthy spices, sweet medjool dates, and aromatic fire-roasted tomatoes. It is the perfect gourmet-style dinner for busy weeknights, offering a complex, balanced profile that is naturally dairy-free. Every bite is infused with the depth of ginger, cumin, and cinnamon, creating a truly memorable and healthy meal that stores beautifully for leftovers.
Ingredients
6–8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 yellow onions (1 chopped, 1 sliced)
28 oz crushed fire-roasted tomatoes
1 inch fresh ginger, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 large carrots, diced
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground turmeric
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
2 tbsp light brown sugar
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
8 medjool dates, pitted and chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Tomato Base
In a blender, combine the roughly chopped onion, canned tomatoes, ginger, and garlic. Blend on high until the mixture is perfectly smooth. Set this aromatic sauce aside until you are ready to pour it into the pot.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Warm a large, heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat with one tablespoon of olive oil. Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Sear the chicken in the hot pan for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown, then remove and set aside.
Step 3: Sauté Vegetables and Spices
Add the remaining olive oil to the same pot. Add the sliced onions and carrots, cooking for about 5 minutes until soft. Stir in the cumin, cinnamon, paprika, coriander, and turmeric, frying for 1 minute over low heat to release their oils.
Step 4: Simmer and Shred
Pour in the blended tomato mixture and bring to a simmer. Add the chicken back, along with the stock, vinegar, and sugar. Cover and cook for at least 30 minutes. Remove the chicken to shred with two forks, then return it to the pot along with the chopped dates. Garnish with parsley before serving.
Pro Tips
- For a deeper flavor, let the stew simmer longer if you have the time.
- Do not skip searing the chicken; this step is essential for building a rich, caramelized base.
- Taste your stew before serving; you may need an extra pinch of salt to balance the sweetness of the dates.
- If the sauce is too thin, simmer uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes to reduce it.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This stew is freezer-friendly and develops deeper flavors when reheated. Adjust the heat by adding a pinch of cayenne if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg