Moroccan Lemon Chicken Recipe Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
This is a flavorful and authentic Moroccan Lemon Chicken recipe passed down from my family. The chicken is incredibly tender and this dish freezes great for leftovers and meal planning.
First cut off access fat on your chicken thighs and add them to a medium bowl along with the spices, onions, ginger, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight.
1 tbsp olive oil, 1 package Chicken Thighs, ¼ cup lemon juice, ½ cup sweet onion, 1 tbsp ginger, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp Paprika, 1/2 tsp Cinammon, 1/4 tsp Cumin, 1/2 tsp Tumeric, ⅛ tsp Cayenne Pepper, 1/4 tsp Black Pepper, 1 tsp Salt
Instant Pot Instructions
Then, turn your instant pot on saute. Once your pot is pre-heated, add 1 tbsp of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken thighs and saute for 4 minutes. Do not move.
1 tbsp Olive Oil, 1 package Chicken Thighs
Remove chicken thighs, turn off the Instant Pot, and set aside. Pour the chicken broth into the bowl to get all remaining juice and seasoning. Then add to the instant pot and scrape off all the brown bits from the bottom of the pot.
1 cup Chicken stock
Next, add the Instant Pot trivet, and place chicken thighs on top, with the seared side up. Pressure cook on high for 8 minutes and then turn off the Instant Pot and wait 5 minutes before releasing the steam. Remove the trivet with chicken thighs and set to the side.
Add carrots and pressure cook on high for 1 minute, then quick release.
1 cup Carrots
Turn off the instant pot and add the olives, preserved lemons, and peas. Stir together and pour into a serving dish. Then add back in your chicken thighs, garnish with preserved lemon wedges and cilantro.
½ cup peas, 1 cup green olives, ⅛ cup preserved lemon, ⅛ cup cilantro
Video
Notes
I usually enjoy this dish with whole wheat couscous from Trader Joes which is very easy to make and cooks in only 5 minutes. Adding 1/4 cup of cooked whole wheat couscous will add an additional 160 calories, 4g of fiber, and 6g of protein to this recipe.
other serving suggestions include adding in potatoes. The potatoes would be added with the carrots.
you can also enjoy this dish with basmati rice
this recipe can also be made with chicken drumsticks, but I do not recommend using chicken breasts.