Moroccan Chicken Casserole Recipe
A flavorful Moroccan Chicken Casserole featuring tender chicken thighs simmered in a fragrant blend of spices, orange juice, and honey, baked with fresh vegetables for a hearty and comforting meal.
- Author: Felix
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Moroccan
Chicken and Vegetables
- 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs, raw
- 1 onion, halved and finely sliced
- 3 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 1 courgette (zucchini), halved lengthways and sliced
Spices and Flavorings
- juice and zest of 1 orange
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 300ml (1.25 cups) of chicken stock
- 2 teaspoons of paprika
- 2 teaspoons of ground coriander
- 2 teaspoons of ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon of chilli powder
- ½ teaspoon of turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon
- olive oil cooking spray
- fresh coriander to garnish
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan 160°C), 350°F, or gas mark 4 to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Brown the Chicken and Aromatics: Spray an ovenproof casserole dish with olive oil cooking spray and place it over medium-high heat on the stovetop. Add the chicken thighs, sliced onion, crushed garlic, and freshly grated ginger. Fry everything together until the chicken is lightly browned, which will enhance the flavors.
- Add Spices: Sprinkle the paprika, ground coriander, ground cumin, chilli powder, turmeric, and cinnamon over the chicken and vegetables. Stir well to evenly coat the chicken and vegetables with the spice mix.
- Add Vegetables and Liquids: Add the sliced carrots, honey, orange juice and zest, and chicken stock to the casserole dish. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour until the chicken is cooked through and tender. About 40 minutes in, add the sliced courgette to ensure it stays tender (alternatively, add it in at the start if preferred).
- Season and Garnish: Remove the casserole from the oven. Season to taste with freshly ground salt and black pepper. Garnish generously with fresh coriander leaves for added freshness and flavor.
- Serve: Serve the Moroccan chicken casserole hot with your choice of sides such as couscous, rice, or crusty bread. Enjoy this comforting and aromatic meal!
Notes
- Using an ovenproof casserole dish is essential to allow starting on the stovetop and finishing in the oven.
- Adding courgette in the last 20 minutes keeps it tender and prevents overcooking.
- Chicken stock can be homemade or store-bought; low sodium is preferred to control saltiness.
- This dish pairs well with couscous, steamed rice, or flatbread.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: Moroccan chicken casserole, baked chicken thighs, spiced chicken casserole, comfort food, easy Moroccan recipe