Moroccan Lemon Chicken With Olives

cookiedog's Note:

This dish includes chicken, lemon,cilantro and couscous. Posted for Zaar World Tour III.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 medium onion , peeled and quartered
• 2 medium garlic cloves , peeled and minced
• 2 ½ lbs skinless chicken
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 ½ cups water , divided
• 1⁄8; teaspoon saffron
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 grated lemons, rind of
• ½ cup green olives , pitted and coarsley chopped
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
• ¾ cup couscous
• fresh ground black pepper

Directions:

1. In a food processor, finely chop onion and garlic. Dredge chicken in flour.
2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Saute chicken and onion mixture until mixture has softened, about 10 minutes.
3. Stir in one cup water, saffron, ginger, cumin, paprika, salt and lemon peel.
4. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, 35 minutes. Remove chicken from sauce and allow to cool a few minutes.
5. Debone chicken and cut meat into small pieces. Put meat back into sauce with the lemon juice, olives, cilantro and pepper. Simmer gently 5 minutes.
6. While the chicken is cooking, bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the couscous and bring back to a boil.
7. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
8. Spoon chicken mixture over couscous and serve.

Reviews

[kyrandia]

This was a lovely dish, very easy to make and the flavour was exquisite.... i made it exactly as directed but i served it with rice instead of the couscous..... it had a lovely lemony flavour that wasnt too overpowering, the spices added a bit of kick and every now and then when you bite into an olive it just adds a nice salty surprise that truely compliments this dish. Thanyou so much for posting. Will be making this again for certain :)

[NE Foodie]

Really yummy, have made this twice. First was for 4 friends, including a vegetarian: we split up everything in two pans, added tofu to one and chicken to the other - it came out great (although we chatted too much and chicken got a little dry!) Second time I paid closer attention, kept the cooking time in check, and DH and I thoroughly enjoyed!

[Darkhunter]

Very good! I followed the directions, except for one substitution. Instead of the lemon zest, I used some preserved lemon. It was a great addition. The dish was very satisfying and I wouldn't hesitate to have it again. Thnx for sharing your recipe, cookiedog. Made for the Voracious Vagabonds for ZWT 6.