Moroccan Chicken with Tomatoes and Eggplantwith quinoa / yogurt
Braising (searing and then roasting in a closed pan) is a hands-off cooking technique that yields tender meat. For something different, we suggest trying this dish with chicken drumsticks, but boneless chicken thighs will cook in a shorter amount of time.
Smarts #1: Just about any spice blend will work here (though the final flavor will obviously be very different), so if you already have za’atar, Cajun blend, or even a BBQ rub, feel free to sub those for the ras el hanout.
Smarts #2: This recipe could be made in the Instant Pot. For tips, join the Cook Smarts Instant Pot Facebook Group.
Ingredients
- Coriander, ground - 1 tsp
- Salt - 1/2 tsp
- Cumin - 1/2 tsp
- Paprika - 1/2 tsp
- Turmeric, ground (opt) - 1/2 tsp
- Cinnamon - 1/4 tsp
- Cardamom, ground (opt) - 1/4 tsp
- Red pepper flakes - 1/4 tsp
- Black pepper - 1/4 tsp
- Onions, medium and red - 1/2, diced
- Ginger - 1 tsp, grated
- Ras El Hanout (ingredients listed separately) - 2 tsp + 2 tsp
- Chicken drumsticks - 4 (sub boneless chicken thighs)
- Eggplant - 1 lb, cubed (Japanese or Chinese eggplant if available)
- Mint - 6 leaves, thinly sliced
- Oil, cooking - 1 Tbsp + 1 Tbsp
- Diced tomatoes, preferably petite-diced (14 oz / 397 g) - 1 can
- Stock, any type - 1/4 cup
- Yogurt, plain or Greek - 1/2 cup, plus more for serving
- Quinoa, uncooked - 3/4 cup
- Stock, any type - 1 1/2 cups
Nutrition Facts
Prep
- Quinoa - (Double if making Wednesday’s meal. If prepping right before cooking, get oven heating first.) Combine quinoa with stock (portion for quinoa) in a saucepan. Add some salt. Bring to a boil covered. Lower heat, keep covered, and cook until liquid is absorbed, 8 to 10 minutes. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Make ras el hanout - Combine coriander, salt, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Onions / Ginger - Prep as directed and combine. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Season chicken - Rub first portion of ras el hanout on all sides of chicken. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
- Eggplant / Mint - Prep as directed. (Note: You can peel the eggplant first or leave the peel on.)
Make
- Heat oven to 425F / 218C.
- Heat an oven-safe Dutch oven or large skillet over medium heat. Add first portion oil and then chicken. Sear chicken on both sides until golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Set chicken aside and return pan to heat.
- Add second portion of oil and then onions, ginger, and eggplant with a pinch of salt. Saute until vegetables are tender, ~7 minutes.
- Add second portion of ras el hanout and saute until fragrant, ~1 minute.
- Add tomatoes (including liquid) and stock (portion for chicken).
- Nestle chicken into vegetables and cover pan with a lid.
- Transfer to oven and roast, covered, until chicken is cooked through and registers 165 F / 74 C in the thickest part. (This should take 26 to 28 minutes for chicken drumsticks; 18 to 20 minutes for chicken thighs.)
- If cooking drumsticks, remove lid from the pan and continue cooking chicken, uncovered, for an additional 6 to 8 minutes to let the chicken drumstick skin get slightly crisp.
- If quinoa was made ahead, reheat in the microwave (reserve half if doubled).
- Serve chicken and vegetables over quinoa with yogurt and mint on top. Enjoy!
Reviews
This meal has 32 reviews
This was so flavorful! Quinoa is not my favorite grain, so I’ll make this again but I’ll use rice or couscous instead.
Used chicken thighs in the instant pot. Doubled the seasoning and used the liquid after cooking the chicken for the grain (I used freekah, and it was very flavorful). While the freekah was in the IP I pan sautéed the onions/eggplant/ginger and then covered and simmered until the freekah was finished, about 12 minutes and that was the perfect amount of time to fully cook the eggplant through. The flavors went well together- don't skip the mint!
Made this over couscous instead. Delicious. Doubled spices and garbanzos.
Super flavorful. I did carrots instead of eggplant because that is what I needed to use up. Instead of canned tomatoes I used some of the last of our garden tomatoes. We also did boneless skinnless thighs. My family cleaned their plates! Instead of ras el Hanout, I took the suggestion and used Penzeys Zaatar seasoning. Flavor profile was great!
Loved the eggplant- had never made it myself before and was impressed with how easy it was. I just used fresh tomatoes instead of canned. Like others said the chicken itself needed more flavor. Maybe next time I’d do chicken thighs.
We made this in both the original and vegetarian versions. My family liked the flavors and enjoyed eating it.