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 make chicken taste delicious? ›

Marinating not only adds flavor, but the combination of healthy fat and acid in most recipes also helps tenderize the meat. A good marinade is roughly three parts oil to one part acid, plus salt and other seasonings like spices, crushed garlic, or a little natural sugar.

What to serve with Moroccan chicken? ›

The best side dishes to serve with Moroccan chicken are couscous, jasmine rice, mashed potatoes, tzatziki, shakshuka, brown rice and vegetables, steamed carrots, eggplant caponata, tabbouleh, pita bread, grilled zucchini, cauliflower rice, roasted sweet potatoes, and baba ganoush.

What is the secret to grilling chicken? ›

Cook your chicken breast on the grill for 6-8 minutes on one side. Flip your chicken. After 6-8 minutes open your grill lid and flip your chicken breast with tongs. A great tip is to only flip your chicken breast once so that it stays nice and juicy (and creates delicious grill marks!)

What is the secret to moist chicken? ›

Brine the chicken: Soaking the chicken in a brine solution (water and salt) for a few hours before baking can help to keep it moist and tender. Add a liquid: Adding a bit of liquid, such as chicken broth, white wine, or even water to the baking dish can help to keep the chicken moist and tender.

What is the secret to tender chicken breast? ›

Fortunately I have one method that makes unfailingly juicy and tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Simply heat the chicken breasts quickly on the stovetop then let them poach from the inside out in their juices in a covered pan.

What brings out the flavor in chicken? ›

Marinating is good for flavouring and tenderising your chicken at the same time. It's best to marinate your chicken overnight to give the flavours plenty of time to infuse. A faster way to add flavour is to simply brine your chicken in salty water prior to cooking.

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 special about Moroccan cooking? ›

Moroccan cuisine is a blend of Berber, Arab, Andalusian, and Mediterranean influences. It's characterized by its use of spices like cumin, saffron, and cinnamon, and ingredients like lamb, couscous, and olives. Traditional cooking techniques include slow-cooking in tagines and grilling over open flames.

What makes Moroccan food special? ›

Moroccan cuisine is known for its exotic flavors, spices, and textures, creating a feast for the senses. The food is often served in large platters, shared among guests, creating a sense of community and togetherness.

Why does grilled chicken taste better than baked? ›

This is a chemical reaction that happens when meat is cooked at high temperatures, usually over 300 degrees Fahrenheit. When the amino acids in the meat react with the sugars, it creates hundreds of new flavor compounds, giving grilled meats that unique flavor that you just can't get from other cooking methods.

What is the difference between rotisserie chicken and grilled chicken? ›

Rotisserie: Cooking Style

No high-flame fire is required. Low heat in an open flame is sufficient. It is a slow cooking method and is ideal for bigger pieces cooking over a long time. Rotisserie chicken is much lower in calories due to being oven-roasted.

What's the difference between grilled and roasted chicken? ›

Grilling involves direct heating of the food on a metal grill in the presence of burning coal or wood. Roasting is an indirect heating process, done in an oven.

Why is grilled chicken better than baked? ›

Baking tends to give food a more delicate texture and taste. Grilling, on the other hand, produces a bolder flavor and allows fat to drip off the meat, reducing its calorie count. However, baking can be just as healthy as long as you don't add oil, butter and other fats.

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