Grilled Mororccan Chicken Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

Published April 17, 2017. Updated March 14, 2019

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Grilled Moroccan Chicken has become one of my go-to chicken recipes! It’s bursting with so many bright, aromatic flavors and it’s one of the tastiest chicken recipes you’ll have ever tried! Just be sure to allow enough time to marinade so chicken can really soak up that flavor.

Grilled Mororccan Chicken Recipe - Cooking Classy (1)

Flavorful Moroccan Chicken

If you eat as much chicken (especially grilled chicken) as we do at my house, then you want all the grilled chicken breast recipes you can get your hands on, right? This Grilled Moroccan Chickenis one of my new favorite chicken recipes!

It is marinated for hours in a bright yet earthy marinade, and I love thosesweet notes from the cinnamon and ginger. I’m thinking this one is so goodyou’ll likely add it to your dinner rotation!

The great thing about this easy grilled chicken is that you can putit in the marinade before you head to work in the morning, then when you get home from work it will be ready to throw on the grill.

So check mark delicious flavor, easy prep, perfectly convenient for weeknights, it’s a healthy choice, and it’s family approved. All around dinner win! Try it soon!

Grilled Mororccan Chicken Recipe - Cooking Classy (2)

Moroccan Chicken Ingredients

  • Chicken breasts
  • Olive oil
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Garlic
  • Fresh ginger
  • Spice (cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon and turmeric)
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Salt and pepper

How to Make Moroccan Chicken

  • Pound chicken until even, place in a large resealable bag.
  • Whisk olive oil, lemon, garlic and spices. Pour marinade over chicken.
  • Marinade in refrigerator 2 – 8 hours.
  • Preheat a grill over medium-high heat.
  • Grill chicken until cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.

Grilled Mororccan Chicken Recipe - Cooking Classy (3)

How Long to Grill Chicken

Chicken breast grill times can vary depending on how thinly you pound the meat, but if you flatten them well you’ll only need to grill the chicken for around 4 minutes on each side (if grilling over medium-high heat).

To tell when the grilled chicken is cooked, pierce it with a fork to see if the juices run clear. You can also slice the thickest part of the chicken breast open to check if it’s still pink in the middle (although that lets some of the juices escape, so avoid doing this if possible).

Can I Make This Chicken Without a Grill?

Yes, you can also make Moroccan chicken on the stove using a grill pan. Or you can bake the chicken breasts.

What to Serve With Moroccan Chicken

I served this with Moroccan Couscous with Roasted Vegetables and there couldn’t be a better combo!It made for such a fresh meal with so many exciting flavors — it was so good in fact that even my kids loved it.

Grilled Mororccan Chicken Recipe - Cooking Classy (4)

Tips for the Best Grilled Chicken

  • Chicken thighs can also be used in this recipe. Just increase the grill time to around 6 minutes per side.
  • Don’t shorten the marinating time — the marinade gives the chicken lots of flavor!
  • Use fresh lemon juice and fresh ginger for the best flavor.

More Grilled Chicken Recipes You’ll Love:

  • Greek Lemon Chicken
  • Tandoori Chicken
  • Cilantro Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa
  • Grilled Chicken and Avocado Street Tacos
  • Grilled Chicken and Quinoa Burrito Bowls

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

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Grilled Moroccan Chicken

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This healthy chicken recipe has become one of my go-to dinners! It's boasting with so many bright, aromatic flavors and it's one of the tastiest chicken recipes you'll have ever tried! Just be sure to allow enough time to marinade so chicken can really soak up that flavor.

Servings: 4

Prep10 minutes minutes

Cook10 minutes minutes

Marinating2 hours hours

Ready in: 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Pound thicker parts of a chicken breasts with the flat side of a meat mallet to even out their thickness.

  • In a medium mixing bowl whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, turmeric and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper (about 3/4 - 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper).

  • Place chicken in a gallon size resealable bag. Pour marinade over chicken and seal bag while pressing out excess air.

  • Rub marinade over chicken breasts (and make sure marinade goes between chicken breasts). Transfer to refrigerator and allow to marinate at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours.

  • Preheat a grill over medium-high heat to about 425 degrees.

  • Grill chicken until center registers 165 degrees on an instant read thermometer, about 4 minutes per side for 6 oz chicken breasts.

  • Transfer to plate then cover and keep warm and let rest about 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve warm.

Notes

  • *Thighs can be used as well just increase grill time (about 6 minutes per side, to 165 degrees in center).
  • Serve with Moroccan Couscous with Roasted Vegetables to complete the meal.

Nutrition Facts

Grilled Moroccan Chicken

Amount Per Serving

Calories 299Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Fat 15g23%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 109mg36%

Sodium 201mg9%

Potassium 656mg19%

Carbohydrates 3g1%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 37g74%

Vitamin A 424IU8%

Vitamin C 7mg8%

Calcium 22mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: moroccan

Keyword: Moroccan Chicken

Author: Jaclyn

Grilled Mororccan Chicken Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

FAQs

How to grill chicken breast like a pro? ›

Grill the Chicken Breasts:

While all grills are different, most of the time you'll be golden if you grill your chicken breasts for about 9-10 minutes, flipping the chicken breasts over at the halfway point so you get beautiful, even sear marks on each side of the chicken. Presentation is key! Check the Temp!

What are the 4 basic spices used in Moroccan cuisine? ›

The four most basic spices used in Moroccan cooking are cumin, black pepper, ginger and turmeric. Other common spices found in many dishes are saffron, paprika, cayenne, chilli (harissa), cinnamon, and sometimes white pepper.

What is Morocco's most famous dish? ›

One of the foremost popular Moroccan dishes is couscous. Traditionally, it's made from wheat pasta, which is rolled and sliced by hand. It's steamed with stewed meat and seasonal vegetables. While serving, the couscous is covered by meat, then vegetables are placed on top or on the edges of the pyramid.

What is Morocco's signature dish? ›

A trip to Morocco would be incomplete without indulging in the country's most famous dish, the tagine. This slow-cooked masterpiece is named after the clay pot it's cooked in, featuring a conical lid that traps steam and returns the condensed moisture to the dish below.

What is the secret to grilling chicken? ›

Grill over direct heat.

For the best grill marks, don't move the chicken once it has been set down and avoid pressing, prodding, or poking for 3 minutes. Flip the chicken — when ready, the breasts will lift up easily for flipping. Cook the second side until grill marks appear, about 3 minutes more.

Should chicken be seasoned before grilling? ›

Yes, you should always season your chicken before cooking when it's raw. You can even do this up to 24 hours before if you have the time. Why? Because leaving the seasoning on your chicken overnight in the fridge will help it start to trap moisture in the chicken, which will make it nice and juicy once cooked.

What is the best cooking method for chicken? ›

What Is The Best Way To Cook A Chicken Breast? Cooking a boneless and skinless chicken breast in a hot cast iron pan is by far the easiest and most tasty way to cook the breast. You are far less likely to overcook the chicken breast compared to baking it in the oven or poaching it in water.

How do chefs get chicken so tender? ›

Low and slow cooking methods like braising, stewing, or smoking are most effective when trying to create tender, succulent chicken.

What is the secret to cooking chicken breast? ›

Chicken breasts must be at room temperature before going in the pan as cold chicken can cook unevenly and tends to be tough. Allow the chicken breast to sit out for 20 minutes. That should do the trick.

How to cook chicken breast so they are tender and juicy? ›

Getting a good sear through medium high heat, then reducing the heat to LOW and COVERING the chicken while it cooks. The butter, oil, and chicken juices create a super flavorful liquid that acts as a way to steam the chicken at a low temperature, ensuring that it is moist & tender on the inside.

What is the best way to cook chicken breast without drying it out? ›

Her suggestion: Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a pan in a single layer, cover with a few inches of liquid (water, broth, etc.), add flavorings (spices, salt, herbs, soy sauce, etc.), then bring the liquid just barely to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat so the liquid simmers.

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