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Recipe

Moroccan-Inspired Chicken, Chickpea and Apricot Stew

Tender chicken thighs simmer with chickpeas, carrots and dried apricots in a warmly spiced tomato broth, served over fluffy couscous.

Moroccan-Inspired Chicken, Chickpea and Apricot Stew
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds (680 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion (about 150 g), diced
  • 2 medium carrots (about 200 g), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch rounds
  • 4 garlic cloves (about 16 g), minced
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 can (14 ounces / 400 g) no-salt-added diced tomatoes, with juices
  • 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 can (15 ounces / 425 g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed; about 250 g drained
  • 1/3 cup (60 g) dried apricots, quartered
  • 1 cup (170 g) dry instant couscous
  • 1 cup (240 ml) boiling water for couscous, or the amount specified on its package
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (about 8 g)

Instructions

  1. Prepare safely. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and cut it into similar-size pieces. Chop the vegetables and measure the spices before heating the pot. Keep the raw chicken and its utensils separate from the parsley and other ready-to-eat ingredients.
  2. Brown the chicken. Heat the oil in a heavy 4- to 5-quart pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer, working in two batches if needed. Brown for about 4 minutes total per batch, turning once. Transfer to a plate; it will finish cooking in the stew.
  3. Soften the vegetables. Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion and carrots to the same pot. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring to lift the browned bits. Add a tablespoon of the measured broth if the bottom becomes dry or begins to scorch.
  4. Bloom the spices. Add the garlic, cumin, paprika, ginger, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. Immediately add the tomatoes and remaining broth, scraping the bottom of the pot so the flavorful browned bits dissolve into the sauce.
  5. Start the simmer. Return the chicken and any juices on the plate to the pot. Stir in the chickpeas and apricots. Bring just to a boil, then lower the heat and partially cover so the stew bubbles gently rather than boiling rapidly.
  6. Cook until tender. Simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are tender and the largest chicken pieces reach 165°F (74°C). If the vegetables need longer, continue gently. Add a little water if the liquid falls below the ingredients and the bottom looks dry.
  7. Prepare the couscous. During the final 10 minutes, put the dry couscous in a heatproof bowl. Pour over the boiling water, following your package ratio if it differs. Cover tightly and leave for about 5 minutes, then fluff thoroughly with a fork to separate the grains.
  8. Adjust the stew. If the broth is too thin, simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes. If it is thicker than you like, stir in a small splash of water. Aim for enough sauce to moisten the couscous without turning the plate into soup.
  9. Add the fresh finish. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and most of the parsley. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning to your preference. The apricots should bring gentle sweetness, balanced by the tomatoes and lemon.
  10. Portion and serve. Divide the couscous among four bowls, then spoon the stew over or alongside it. Distribute the chicken, chickpeas and apricots evenly. Finish with the remaining parsley and serve while the grains are fluffy and the stew is hot.

Sweet dried apricots, earthy cumin and tender chicken give this Moroccan-inspired stew a generous balance of savory and fruity flavors. Chickpeas add body, carrots soften into the tomato broth, and a small amount of cinnamon provides warmth without turning the dish sweet. The result is a spoonable dinner that pairs naturally with fluffy couscous.

You do not need a tagine or an unusual cooking technique to make it. A heavy pot with a lid is enough: brown the chicken briefly, build a fragrant vegetable base, and let everything simmer until the chicken is cooked through. Add the apricots during the simmer so they soften without disappearing completely. Lemon and parsley go in at the end to lift the rich sauce. This is an accessible adaptation using Moroccan-inspired flavors rather than a traditional tagine recipe.

Apricots and spices

Unsweetened dried apricots are enough; there is no need for added sugar. Sweet paprika gives color without much heat. If you prefer a spicier variation, add a small pinch of cayenne with the other spices, then taste before adding more.

Substitutions

Boneless chicken breast can work, but it dries out more easily; check its temperature earlier. Rice can replace couscous for a wheat-free variation if every other ingredient is suitable. Use the grain package directions and recalculate nutrition when changing the serving.

Make ahead and storage

Store the stew and couscous separately for the best texture. Refrigerate promptly in shallow containers for up to 3–4 days. Reheat leftovers to 165°F (74°C), adding a little water to the stew or couscous as needed.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a tagine?

No. A heavy pot with a lid is the intended equipment for this adaptation. Keep the heat low enough for a gentle simmer and stir occasionally.

Can I leave out the apricots?

Yes. The stew will be more savory and less fruity. Do not add extra sugar to compensate unless that is your preference; finish with lemon and taste the balance before serving.

Nutrition notes

Nutrition values are approximate editorial estimates per serving, not laboratory measurements or a verified nutritional analysis. Actual values vary with brands, trimming, portion size and substitutions. These original recipe drafts have not been kitchen-tested; cooking times are guides.

Includes trimmed chicken thighs, 250 g drained chickpeas, unsweetened apricots and 170 g dry couscous divided four ways. Chicken trimming and broth or canned-food brands change the estimate.

Allergen information: Wheat. Check all packaged ingredient labels and suitability for the person eating the meal.

Per serving

Nutrition facts

Serving size: 1/4 of the stew plus 1/4 of the prepared couscous (estimated nutrition)

Calories
660
Total fat
18 g
Saturated fat
4 g
Cholesterol
160 mg
Sodium
590 mg
Total carbohydrate
77 g
Dietary fiber
11 g
Total sugars
18 g
Protein
47 g

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