Best North African Style Chicken Recipes

NORTH AFRICAN QUICK TAGINE-STYLE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, in a slow stream, and add smashed garlic. Season the chicken with seasoning blend. Scatter chicken around the pan in an even layer. Cook chicken pieces 2 minutes on each side to brown, then add the onions, prunes, raisins and stock. Mix spices in a small dish and scatter over the pot. Cover and reduce to moderate heat. Cook 7 or 8 minutes, remove the lid and stir.
• To prepare the couscous, bring chicken stock to a boil. Add couscous, extra-virgin olive oil and scallions and remove the couscous from the stove immediately. Cover and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork.
• Uncover chicken and cook another 2 to 3 minutes to thicken slightly. Adjust the seasoning, to taste, and serve chicken on a bed of couscous. Garnish with chopped cilantro and scallions. Serve with chutney.

CHICKEN SOUP NORTH AFRICAN STYLE

Steps:

• Cut one carrot in half; place in a medium stockpot. Add chicken, 2 quarts water, leeks, celery, parsley, thyme, bay leaves, and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer for about 1 hour; skim off any scum. Remove chicken. Pass stock through a cheesecloth-lined strainer. Remove chicken meat from bones and slice into 1/2-inch-thick strips.
• Rinse stockpot; return stock to it. Set over medium-low heat; add ground pepper. Dice remaining 2 carrots. Add carrots, tomatoes, cumin, ginger, and squash to stock; simmer over medium heat until vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add couscous and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt; cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Stir in jalapeeno cilantro.
• Add zucchini and chickpeas to soup; cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add chicken meat; simmer to heat through, about 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning.
• To serve, place a spoonful of couscous in a soup bowl; spoon soup around it and add a cilantro sprig and lime wedge.

NORTH AFRICAN STYLE CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a small dish combine the spices. Place the chicken in a resealable container, add spice mixture, close container and shake to coat.
• In a large skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken and allow to brown briefly. Slowly stir in the orange juice and vinegar. Cook and stir for about 3 to 5 minutes or until chicken is warmed through and flavors have blended.
• Serve over couscous or rice.

WHOLE ROASTED CHICKEN NORTH AFRICAN STYLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees F.
• After washing chicken, wipe with paper towels and season the chicken and cavity with salt and pepper.
• Using a mortar and pestle, pound the parsley, chervil, chopped onion, butter, cumin, cayenne pepper, and 1/2 tsp salt to a paste.
• Spread the paste carefully over the whole chicken with a spatula.
• Place a skewer through the wings of the chicken to secure them closely to the sides of the bird during cooking.
• Lay the chicken, breast side down, in a roasting pan and roast for 20 minutes until lightly browned.
• Turn the bird over so that the breast is up and roast for another 15-20 minutes.
• Remove chicken from oven and turn down the heat to 350 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, lightly dust the chicken breast with flour.
• Place chicken back in oven.
• Baste with pan juices and continue to roast for about 1 hour or until the chicken is done, and continue basting frequently during cooking time.
• When done, the juices will run clear when you push a skewer through the thickest part of the leg.
• Remove chicken to a cutting board and carve.
• Serve immediately.

NORTH AFRICAN-STYLE STEWED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Rub chicken parts lightly with salt and pepper. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, deep skillet, Dutch oven or other oven-proof pot. Add chicken pieces and cook over medium-high heat, turning frequently, until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove pieces to a plate.
• Add remaining olive oil, onion and cinnamon to cooking pot. Sauté 2 to 3 minutes, then add paprika, cumin, ginger, garlic and coriander. Sauté 5 minutes. Add mustard greens and preserved lemon and cook until greens wilt, about 6 minutes.
• Pour in 1 cup stock. Return chicken to pot and add cardamom pods, ras el hanout (or Indian curry powder) and saffron. Pour in more stock until chicken is mostly covered, up to 1 cup. Add a pinch of salt to taste. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to preheated oven and cook 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until liquid has reduced and meat is falling off the bones. Let rest 10 minutes. Discard cinnamon stick and cardamom pods before serving over rice.