Baked Chicken Bastilla

Baked Chicken Bastilla is a delightful Moroccan dish that marries spiced chicken with a delicate, gluten-free pastry, embodying a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. This dish is traditionally served during special occasions, making it a unique treat for any dinner table.

Ingredients

• Chicken thighs - 300 grams, boneless and skinless
• Onion - 1 medium, finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Ground cinnamon - 1 teaspoon
• Ground ginger - 1 teaspoon
• Turmeric - 1 teaspoon
• Paprika - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Fresh cilantro - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Eggs - 2, beaten
• Almonds - 50 grams, blanched and roughly chopped
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Gluten-free phyllo pastry - 6 sheets
• Powdered sugar - for dusting
• Cinnamon - for dusting

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the chicken thighs to the skillet, followed by cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned.
4. Add 100 ml of water to the skillet, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then shred the chicken with two forks.
5. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, chopped parsley, chopped cilantro, beaten eggs, and chopped almonds. Mix well until all ingredients are combined.
6. Lay one sheet of gluten-free phyllo pastry on a clean surface and brush lightly with olive oil. Place another sheet on top and repeat this process with 3 sheets.
7. Spoon the chicken mixture onto the center of the layered pastry, then fold the edges over to create a parcel, sealing it well.
8. Place the bastilla seam-side down on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Brush the top with olive oil.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp.
10. Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Dust with powdered sugar and cinnamon before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 30 g
• Carbs: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 150 mg
• Total Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

• High in protein from chicken and eggs, supporting muscle health.
• Contains spices like turmeric and ginger that may have anti-inflammatory properties.

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