Make Ahead Moroccan Chicken
Add tons of flavor to your next dinner with the help of these amazing Moroccan chicken thighs. Boneless skinless chicken pieces are flavored with olives, dates, and a handful of warm spices to create an amazing Moroccan inspired dish. This easy chicken dinner is made simpler by preparing it ahead of time! Just combine all the ingredients, keep them in the freezer, and bake your African-inspired meal in 30 minutes.
If these types of flavors are ones you enjoy, chances are you’ll love our African Thai Stew, Shakshuka,and Moroccan Chickpea Stew!
Moroccan Chicken Thighs Recipe
Ingredients:
- 8 – 10 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- 1 sliced onion
- ½ cup pitted green olives (manzanilla), sliced
- ½ cup dates, chopped and pitted
- 1 teaspoon Ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- ½ teaspoon Coriander
- Red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
Assembly Instructions:
- Place the chicken thighs in a large resealable freezer bag, along with the onion, green olives, dates, ginger, cumin, coriander, red pepper flakes, cinnamon, basil, salt, pepper, chicken broth, and lemon juice. Squeeze the ingredients together in the bag to mix, then remove excess air and seal the bag.
- Place the bag flat in the freezer until you’re ready to cook your Moroccan chicken dinner.
Cooking instructions:
- Transfer the Moroccan chicken thighs to the refrigerator to thaw overnight.
- When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Transfer the contents of the freezer bag into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°.
How Do You Know When Moroccan Chicken Thighs are Done Cooking?
Before serving your Moroccan chicken, you should always make sure it’s safe to eat! The most reliable way to check if your meat is done is to use a meat thermometer. You’ll know your chicken thighs are finished baking when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees.
Moroccan Chicken Thigh Recipe Ideas
This delicious chicken dinner is packed with flavor all on its own. But if you want to add even more deliciousness to your dinner, you can easily change it up to suit your own tastes. Take a look at some of these recipe substitutions and additions to create a delicious dinner your family will love.
- Add some veggies. Transform this chicken main course into a full meal by to mixing in a few vegetables. There are a variety of veggies you can mix in with your chicken thighs, including zucchini, baby potatoes, butternut squash, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, eggplant, or brussels sprouts.
- Use chicken breasts. On top of baking your Moroccan inspired dinner with chicken thighs, you can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Depending on the size and thickness of your chicken pieces, you may need to increase the cook time to ensure each piece is thoroughly cooked.
- Make it in the slow cooker. In addition to cooking your chicken thighs in the oven, this Moroccan recipe can also be cooked in the crockpot. Dump all the ingredients into the pot of your slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 6 to 7 hours.
How Do I Store Moroccan Chicken Thighs?
With its wide range of flavors, this chicken thighs recipe is sure to be a popular dinner option! But you may still have some chicken left when dinner is over. If you do, you should store any leftovers in the refrigerator. Transfer the leftover thighs to an airtight container and keep them refrigerated for up to four days.
Leftovers can also be frozen for more long-term storage. After cooking the chicken thighs, allow the ingredients to cool completely. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. You can store the cooked chicken in the freezer for up to three months.
The chicken thighs can be reheated in the microwave. Or you can place them in the oven at 350 degrees until they’re heated through.
Can I Make Moroccan Chicken Thighs Ahead of Time?
This simple main course is perfect for meal prepping because it can easily be made ahead and stored in the freezer or fridge until you’re ready to start cooking. In addition to keeping the chicken in the freezer for up to six months, the recipe can also be prepared ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to two days.
No matter how you store your chicken, make sure to label the container with the name of the recipe, the date of storage and the expected expiration date.
What to Serve with Moroccan Chicken Thighs?
Since this easy chicken recipe is packed with flavor, it pairs perfectly with a variety of sides! Round out your dinner with some delicious side dishes. There are a variety of options to choose from. Try these recipe ideas as you’re preparing your family’s dinner tonight.
- Couscous
- Orzo
- Roasted potatoes
- Naan
- Side salads
- Rice
- Quinoa
- Roasted vegetables
- 8 - 10 chicken thighs boneless and skinless
- 1 onion sliced
- ½ cup pitted green olives manzanilla, sliced
- ½ cup dates chopped and pitted
- 1 tsp ginger minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp coriander
- red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp basil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 Tbsp. lemon juice
-
Place the chicken thighs in a large resealable freezer bag, along with the onion, green olives, dates, ginger, cumin, coriander, red pepper flakes, cinnamon, basil, salt, pepper, chicken broth, and lemon juice. Squish to combine, remove excess air, and seal the bag.
-
Freeze.
-
Thaw.
-
Preheat the oven to 350°.
-
Transfer the contents of the freezer bag into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
-
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°.
