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    Moroccan Chicken and Butternut Stew

    clock-icon60 minutes
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    Pixicook editorial team

    A hearty and flavorful Moroccan-inspired stew with chicken, butternut squash, and aromatic spices.

    Ingredients for Moroccan Chicken and Butternut Stew

    units in
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    units in
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    serves
    5 peoplechevron
    serves
    5 peoplechevron

    Canola Oil

    tablespoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Red Onion, finely chopped

    each

    Substitute chevron-down

    Kosher Salt

    to taste

    Substitute chevron-down

    Ginger, peeled and minced

    cups

    Substitute chevron-down

    Garlic Clove, chopped

    each

    Substitute chevron-down

    Cinnamon Stick

    each

    Substitute chevron-down

    Sweet Paprika

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Turmeric Powder

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Cumin

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Hot Smoked Paprika

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Ginger Powder

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Ground Cayenne

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Ground Cloves

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Black Pepper

    to taste

    Substitute chevron-down

    Tomato Paste

    tablespoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Chicken Stock

    cups

    Substitute chevron-down

    Lemon Juice, fresh

    cups

    Substitute chevron-down

    Chicken Thighs, boneless, skinless

    0 lb

    Substitute chevron-down

    Dates, pitted and halved

    each

    Substitute chevron-down

    Butternut Squash, peeled, seeded, cut into 1-by-3-inch wedges

    0 lb

    Substitute chevron-down

    Flat Leaf Parsley, chopped

    bunch

    Substitute chevron-down

    Scallions, thinly sliced

    bunch

    Substitute chevron-down

    How to Make Moroccan Chicken and Butternut Stew

    1. Sauté Aromatics

    Set your pressure cooker to the sauté setting. Warm the oil and add the onion with a pinch of salt. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced ginger and chopped garlic for another 2 minutes, or until fragrant.

    2. Add Spices

    Mix in the cinnamon stick, sweet paprika, turmeric, cumin, smoked paprika, ground ginger, cayenne, and cloves. Season with black pepper. Stir until the spices are well combined.

    3. Incorporate Tomato Paste

    Stir in the tomato paste until it turns brick-red, about 1 minute.

    4. Deglaze with Stock

    Pour in the chicken stock and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the pot's bottom.

    5. Add Main Ingredients

    Turn off the heat. Add the chicken and dates, mixing to coat them in the spice mixture. Lay the butternut squash wedges on top, seasoning with salt and pepper.

    6. Pressure Cook

    Seal the pressure cooker and set it to cook on high pressure for 16 minutes.

    7. Natural Release

    Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.

    8. Finish with Freshness

    Open the lid, add the chopped parsley and scallions, and gently fold to combine. Adjust the seasoning with more lemon juice and salt if needed.

    Variations

    Indian Chicken and Pumpkin Stew

    Substitute butternut squash with pumpkin and use a blend of Indian spices like garam masala, turmeric, and mustard seeds. Replace chicken with chickpeas for a vegetarian version.

    Thai-inspired Tofu and Butternut Stew

    Keep the butternut squash, replace chicken with tofu, and use a combination of coconut milk and vegetable stock for the liquid. Incorporate Thai spices like lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and red curry paste.

    Italian Sausage and Sweet Potato Stew

    Use Italian sausage instead of chicken, sweet potatoes in place of butternut squash, and add Italian herbs like basil and oregano. Include a splash of red wine in the liquid base.

    Caribbean Jerk Chicken and Pineapple Stew

    Incorporate jerk seasoning in place of the Moroccan spices and add chunks of pineapple for sweetness. You can also stir in some black beans for extra protein and Caribbean flair.

    Beef and Carrot Stew with a Mediterranean Twist

    Swap chicken for beef, butternut squash for carrots, and use spices such as thyme and rosemary. Add some olives and a bit of lemon zest for a Mediterranean flavor.

    Pitfalls and tips

    Quality Ingredients

    Start with fresh, organic vegetables, and sustainably sourced chicken for the best flavors.

    Spice Selection and Treatment

    Use fresh spices and toast whole spices before grinding to intensify their flavors.

    Browning the Chicken

    Brown chicken pieces well to develop a rich flavor base for the stew.

    Deglazing

    Use broth or wine to scrape up the browned bits after sautéing for added richness.

    Layering Flavors

    Cook aromatics until fragrant before adding spices for a well-rounded taste profile.


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