Skillet Moroccan Hen – Drizzle Me Skinny!

Moroccan delicacies effortlessly brings collectively daring flavors in a single dish. Juicy hen shines with apricots, dates, inexperienced olives, Kalamata olives, ginger, paprika, turmeric, and cumin—it’s finger-licking good and solely 2 Factors! 

This isn’t simply one other low-point, one-pot meal—it’s a showstopper that transforms the weekly hen rotation into one thing extraordinary. Try our different fashionable Weight Watchers dinner recipes for extra wholesome consuming inspiration!

Why it’s best to strive Skillet Moroccan Hen?

After I first began exploring Weight Watchers, certainly one of my preliminary worries was becoming bored with hen. Let’s face it, hen is usually a go-to for anybody seeking to eat more healthy. However the wonderful thing about hen is how versatile it’s. Each mixture of spices and components transforms it into one thing new. Skillet Moroccan Hen is the right recipe to showcase this. When you’ve already dabbled in Asian-inspired hen recipes, it’s time to enterprise into the colourful flavors of the Center East.

1. Easy but considerate: This recipe is easy after getting the components prepared. That being mentioned, it does require some planning, as dried fruits and olives may not all the time be in your pantry. However belief me, it’s well worth the effort. Add this stuff to your procuring listing, and also you’ll open your kitchen to a world of intense flavors. This dish feels luxurious with out being overly sophisticated, making it supreme for weeknights and particular events alike.
2. An ideal Weight Watchers Selection: What’s most enjoyable about Skillet Moroccan Hen is that it’s full of taste but matches completely into your Weight Watchers plan. With solely 2 or 3 factors per serving, you may take pleasure in a wealthy meal. It’s proof that wholesome consuming doesn’t should be bland or boring. 
3. Visually gorgeous: Lastly, let’s not ignore the aesthetics. This dish appears nearly as good because it tastes. The yellow of the turmeric, the darkish hues of the dried fruits and olives, and the hen nestled in a scrumptious sauce—it’s a feast for the eyes.

Preparation Time: quarter-hour
Cooking Time: half-hour
Whole Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Serving Measurement: Roughly 1 hen breast with sauce

2 WW Factors Per Serving. You may view the recipe on the WW App right here. (WW login required.) 

Substances

• 4 boneless, skinless hen breasts (about 680 g)
• 1 tsp olive oil (5 ml)
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 tsp floor turmeric (3 g)
• 1 tsp paprika (3 g)
• 1/2 tsp floor cumin (1.5 g)
• 1/2 tsp salt (2.5 g)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper (1 g)
• 1 small cinnamon stick
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced (about 150 g)
• 1/3 cup dried apricots, halved (60 g)
• 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted (50 g)
• 1/3 cup inexperienced stuffed olives (50 g)
• 1 tsp freshly grated ginger (5 g)
• 1 ½ cups hen broth (360 ml)

Directions:

1. Season the hen:  In a big bowl, mix the turmeric, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Rub the spice combination evenly over the hen breasts, guaranteeing they’re effectively coated. Add the crushed garlic and gently rub it into the hen for added taste. Let the hen marinate for a minimum of quarter-hour to permit the spices to penetrate.
2. Sear the hen: Warmth a big skillet over medium warmth and add 1 teaspoon of olive oil. As soon as the oil is sizzling, place the hen breasts within the skillet. Sear for about 5 minutes on either side till they develop a golden-brown crust.
3. Add aromatics: With out eradicating the hen from the skillet, scatter the sliced onions across the hen. Add the dried apricots, Kalamata olives, and inexperienced stuffed olives, spreading them evenly. Sprinkle the grated ginger over the components, guaranteeing it’s distributed throughout the skillet.
4. Simmer: Pour the hen broth over the hen and greens, guaranteeing the whole lot is partially submerged. Add the cinnamon keep on with the skillet. Scale back the warmth to low, cowl with a lid, and let it simmer gently for about 20 minutes. Stir sometimes to make sure the flavors are evenly mixed and the hen stays moist.
5. Take away the cinnamon stick earlier than serving. Plate the hen and spoon the sauce with apricots, olives, onions, and broth excessive. This dish pairs splendidly with couscous or faux mujadara.

Variations and Substitutions

Skillet Moroccan Hen is extremely adaptable, and small adjustments could make it much more suited to your pantry staples. Listed below are some variations to strive:

1. Add Chickpeas: For a heartier meal, take into account tossing in a cup of cooked chickpeas. They’re a conventional addition in lots of Moroccan dishes and mix superbly with the sauce.
2. Swapping Dried Fruits: When you don’t have apricots or dates, raisins or prunes work splendidly. They bring about the identical candy distinction to the dish whereas being pantry-friendly alternate options.
3. Tomato Variations: Some variations of this recipe incorporate recent tomato slices throughout cooking and garnish with cherry tomatoes and crumbled feta earlier than serving. This provides freshness and creates a completely completely different taste.

Suggestions and Methods for the Excellent Skillet Moroccan Hen

1. The right facet dish: Whereas this dish stands alone superbly, pairing it with the appropriate facet enhances the expertise. My favourite accompaniment is a “faux” mujadara. Right here’s how I do it: I take a cup of leftover rice, combine it with two cups of drained chickpeas, and fold in a cup of crispy, caramelized onions. It’s a easy but flavorful facet with minimal effort and Weight Watchers-friendly factors.
2. Marinating: For the perfect outcomes, marinate the hen within the spices for a minimum of an hour earlier than cooking. This permits the flavors to penetrate the meat.
3. Low and gradual: Cooking on low warmth ensures the hen stays tender. You probably have the time, don’t rush the method.
4. Utilizing a cast-iron skillet can elevate this dish. Whereas there’s no scientific proof behind this declare, I genuinely consider that forged iron imparts a deeper, richer taste to dishes like this one. It’s additionally nice for reaching a fair prepare dinner and sustaining warmth.