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Moroccan Chicken with Saffron and Zucchini

Moroccan Chicken with Saffron and Zucchini plate & pan

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This is an aromatic, juicy, tender chicken dish infused with saffron. It’s a one pan stovetop meal cooked with zucchini that takes just minutes to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 46 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)*
  • Celtic sea salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons coconut or olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, more for garnish
  • A large pinch of saffron (a scant ½ teaspoon)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1  cup chicken broth
  • 2 cups zucchini cut into half moons
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Dry chicken and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat oil in a large cast iron pan or heavy sauté pan on medium-high heat. Add the chicken skin side down. Cook without turning until well brown about 7-8 minutes.
  3. Turn chicken over and brown on the other side, about 5 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink.
  4. Transfer to a plate.
  5. Spoon out about 3 tablespoons of the fat from the pan.
  6. Return the pan to medium high heat. Add onion, garlic, parsley and saffron.  Season with salt and pepper and sauté, stirring occasionally until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
  7. Sprinkle the cinnamon over the onion and stir.
  8. Add broth, scrape the bottom of the pan, and bring to a simmer over medium-high.
  9. Put chicken back into the pan. Arrange the zucchini between the chicken and cook until the sauce is thickened, and the zucchini is just cooked, about 5 minutes. Add more stock if the pan gets dry.
  10. Stir in the lemon juice, taste and adjust salt. Add more lemon if needed.
  11. Spoon zucchini and pan sauces over the chicken. Sprinkle with extra parsley if desired.
  12. Serve alone or with rice, quinoa or cauliflower rice.

 

Notes

Can also be made with boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Cook the chicken for a shorter period of time.