Saffron Chicken
Saffron Chicken is a fragrant and flavorful Moroccan dish, combining tender chicken with aromatic spices and the luxurious essence of saffron. Served with a side of fluffy couscous, it's a high-protein delight that transports you to the heart of North Africa.

40 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Moroccan
450 kcal
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs - 300 grams
- Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
- Onion - 1 medium, finely chopped
- Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
- Saffron threads - 0.5 grams
- Chicken broth - 250 milliliters
- Ground cumin - 1 teaspoon
- Ground coriander - 1 teaspoon
- Paprika - 1 teaspoon
- Salt - 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper - 0.5 teaspoon
- Almonds - 30 grams, sliced
- Fresh cilantro - 2 tablespoons, chopped
- Lemon - 1, juiced
Steps
- In a small bowl, soak saffron threads in 2 tablespoons of warm water for 10 minutes to release their flavor.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and add the chicken thighs to the skillet. Season with salt, black pepper, cumin, coriander, and paprika. Brown the chicken on all sides for about 6-8 minutes.
- Pour the chicken broth and the saffron mixture (with its soaking water) into the skillet. Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and cook for 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Uncover the skillet, add sliced almonds, and simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Stir in fresh cilantro and lemon juice before serving.
- Serve the saffron chicken over cooked couscous, garnished with additional cilantro if desired.
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35 g
- Carbs: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
- Total Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26 g
- Water: 0.5 L
Health Benefits
- High in protein, supporting muscle growth and repair.
- Contains antioxidants from saffron and almonds, promoting overall health.
Tags
MoroccanHigh ProteinLunch