Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken

Turn plain chicken in to this slow cooked flavour sensation. This melt in your mouth Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken is bursting with wonderful North African flavour. Lemon, turmeric, apricots, cinnamon and cumin. All brought together in a really simple slow cooker dish that is warming, comforting, but still nutrient dense. Great for feeding a hungry crowd.

This is one of our favourite chicken dishes, as it just has so much going for it. Shredded tender chicken, a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavours, chunky vegetables and aromatic Moroccan flavours. The best part about it is it only takes a couple of minutes to prepare.

We eat a lot of chicken, as it's easy and everyone in the family likes it, but it can get a bit boring. This one pot wonder is a great way to liven up a chicken dinner a bit, and get plenty of veg too.

Why should you try it?

Step by step

One: Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker pot and add the ras-el-hanout.

Two: Add all the other ingredients. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.

Three: About 15 minutes before time is up, make the couscous according to the packet instructions.

Four: Shred the chicken with two forks and stir in the couscous. Serve in bowl with fresh coriander (cilantro).

Moroccan flavours

If you aren't used to Moroccan flavours, then you are in for a treat. This is fresh, vibrant and bursting with the flavours of the Mediterranean. You will get some sweetness from the tomato and apricot, saltiness from the olives, a little tangy zest from the lemon and then the beautiful mix of herbs and spices.

Cumin, coriander, paprika and turmeric pair together perfectly with some ras-el-hanout, which might just be my favourite spice blend.

What chicken to use?

We used chicken breasts as they are nice and lean and then we pulled them apart a little so they were chunks of shredded chicken. It is a nice balance between pulled chicken and chunks of chicken breast.

You don't have to use chicken breast though, you can use thighs or legs instead. Cooking times may vary though - bone in chicken tends to take a bit longer to cook. If you are going to use thighs, sear them in a pan a little first, as it will really lock in the flavours.

What vegetables to add?

We wanted to keep this as traditional as possible, so we used shallots, bell pepper, butternut squash, carrot and aubergine. But there is no reason why you can't add other vegetables you might have laying around. We have also used parsnip, leek, courgette and mushroom in the past.

Ways to adapt it

This is a pretty protein packed meal, however if you want to add some extra protein, or use half the chicken and have some veggie protein instead, then why not try adding some chickpeas. Chickpeas add lots of extra texture to the dish and they are used a lot in Moroccan cuisine too.

What to serve it with

We love serving it with light and fluffy couscous. Not only does it keep it traditionally Moroccan, but it's really easy to cook too, with is in-keeping with a slow cooker dish. You could serve it with Lebanese rice or quinoa instead.

You could add some large chunks of sweet potato to the slow cooker with everything else, and then there wouldn't be any need to serve it with anything else. We have served leftovers on mashed potato and even a crispy baked potato, or we just use a big homemade flatbread to dip in it.

Storing and reheating

You can store this in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for 2-3 days. You can also store it in the fridge for up to 4 months. To reheat, make sure it is thoroughly defrosted and then heat it through in a pan. You may need to add a little bit of water to it when reheating.

Extra tips

• Add a more intense lemon flavour to this dish by using preserved lemons.
• If you want to add even more fruity flavour to this dish, add some raisins with the dried apricots.
• Finish this dish off with a sprinkling of flaked almonds.
• You may need to add a little bit of water to it when reheating.

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Recipe

Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken

This simple recipe for Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken is a delicious healthy dinner option, bursting with wonderful North African flavour.

Low Fat

4.68 from 25 votes

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Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mediterranean, Moroccan, North African

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Allergen:

Meat

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 385kcal

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Ingredients

UK Metric Measures - US Customary Measures

• ▢ 3 chicken breasts
• ▢ 400 g white beans (canned)
• ▢ 1 lemon (juice and zest only)
• ▢ 4 shallots diced
• ▢ 1 aubergine eggplant, diced
• ▢ 1 small butternut squash peeled and diced
• ▢ 1 red pepper diced
• ▢ 3 tablespoon ras el hanout
• ▢ 3 garlic cloves crushed
• ▢ 8 dried apricots diced
• ▢ 150 ml chicken stock
• ▢ 400 g chopped tomatoes canned
• ▢ 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper
• ▢ 80 g giant couscous

Instructions

• Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker pot and add the ras-el-hanout.
• Add all the other ingredients. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
• About 15 minutes before time is up, make the couscous according to the packet instructions.
• Shred the chicken with two forks and stir in the couscous. Serve in bowls with fresh coriander (cilantro).

Notes

• Add a more intense lemon flavour to this dish by using preserved lemons.
• If you want to add even more fruity flavour to this dish, add some raisins with the dried apricots.
• Finish this dish off with a sprinkling of flaked almonds.
• You may need to add a little bit of water to it when reheating.

Nutritional Information

Serving: 1g | Calories: 385kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 286mg | Potassium: 1864mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 14465IU | Vitamin C: 72mg | Calcium: 216mg | Iron: 6mg

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DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.