Description
This Moroccan Grilled Chicken with Apricots is a flavorful and aromatic dish featuring juicy chicken thighs or breasts marinated in a blend of spices, honey, and lemon juice, then grilled to perfection alongside sweet, tender apricots. Garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley, it’s a delightful main course perfect for summer grilling with vibrant Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Other Ingredients
- ½ cup dried apricots, halved
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Marinade and Marinate Chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey, minced garlic, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cinnamon, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken pieces and halved apricots, tossing to coat thoroughly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate to marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight for deeper flavor.
- Preheat Grill: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, ensuring it is properly heated before cooking to achieve great grill marks and even cooking.
- Grill Chicken and Apricots: Remove the chicken and apricots from the marinade and place them on the hot grill. Grill the chicken for about 5 to 7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked through and slightly charred on the edges. Grill the apricots for 1 to 2 minutes per side until softened and grill-marked.
- Serve with Fresh Herbs: Plate the grilled chicken topped with the grilled apricots and sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley for a fresh, vibrant finish. Optionally, serve with couscous, rice, or flatbread as accompaniments.
Notes
- For added flavor, brush the reserved marinade (after boiling it to ensure food safety) over the chicken while grilling.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with couscous, rice, or flatbread.
- You can substitute chicken with lamb or tofu for a different variation.
