Ingredients
– 1½ to 1¾ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenderloins
– ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1 teaspoon sugar
– 3 garlic cloves, minced
– 2 teaspoons paprika
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– ½ teaspoon ground coriander
– ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
– ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
– ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
– ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
1-Getting started with grilled Moroccan chicken involves a few easy steps that lead to amazing results. First, pound the chicken breasts to an even ½-inch thickness if you’re using them, as this helps with tenderizing and even cooking skip this if using tenderloins. Next, whisk together the olive oil, salt, sugar, minced garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper in a bowl to make the marinade.
2-Place the chicken in a zip-top bag, pour in the marinade, and massage it gently to coat everything evenly. Let it chill in the fridge for at least 5 hours, or overnight for the deepest flavors. When you’re ready, preheat your grill to high heat and clean the grates thoroughly to prevent sticking.
3-Grill the chicken covered for 2 to 3 minutes per side until it hits 165°F inside, avoiding overcooking for juicy results. If you like, spoon some reserved marinade on the chicken while grilling for added moisture and taste. This method works for busy parents who need quick meals, and it’s adaptable for dietary tweaks like using firm tofu instead of chicken.
4-1 Pound chicken to ½-inch thickness.
5-2 Mix and apply marinade.
6-3 Preheat and clean grill.
7-4 Grill for 2-3 minutes per side.
8-5 Optional: Add reserved marinade.
Notes
🍗 Pound chicken evenly to prevent dryness and ensure uniform cooking.
⏳ Marinate at least 5 hours; overnight marination provides superior flavor.
🔥 Use a very hot grill to create good grill marks and slight charring without overcooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Marination time: 5 to 6 hours
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Moroccan
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 344 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 798 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 118 mg
