North African Chicken Stew

Health score
28%
North African Chicken Stew
30 min.
4
616kcal

Suggestions

Embark on a flavorful journey to North Africa with this delectable Chicken Stew, a dish that promises to delight your taste buds with its rich and aromatic spices. This recipe, which serves 4, is not only simple and quick, taking only 30 minutes from start to finish, but it's also packed with the warmth and essence of North African cuisine. Each serving offers a satisfying 616 calories, making it a perfect lunch or dinner option.

Prepare to indulge in a medley of textures and flavors as this stew features tender chicken thighs, vibrant vegetables, and a unique twist with the homemade Tunisian pesto sauce. The stew is accompanied by fluffy couscous, absorbing the rich broth and creating a comforting, hearty meal. The recipe calls for a variety of herbs and spices, including cilantro, parsley, cumin, and paprika, which together create a smoky, spicy, and herbal profile that's both exotic and utterly delicious.

The star of this dish, the Tunisian pesto, is made from a blend of fresh cilantro, parsley, almonds, and garlic, offering a nutty and herbaceous note that complements the earthiness of the chicken and carrots. The process of making the pesto adds a homemade touch that elevates the dish to a sophisticated, yet easy-to-prepare, culinary experience.

Whether you're a fan of bold flavors, a lover of one-pot meals, or simply in the mood for something different, this North African Chicken Stew is sure to become a favorite. It's a perfect main course for a casual lunch or a cozy dinner, and its versatility allows you to easily adjust the spiciness to your liking. So why not give this recipe a try and transport yourself to the bustling markets of North Africa, all from the comfort of your own home?

Ingredients

  • 0.3 cup almonds 
  • 0.3 cup apple cider vinegar 
  •  carrots sliced
  • pinch ground pepper 
  • 1.5 cups chicken broth 
  • 1.7 cups chicken broth 
  • cup couscous uncooked
  • cups cilantro leaves fresh packed (leaves and 3 stems)
  • cup parsley fresh packed (leaves and 3 stems)
  •  garlic clove 
  • teaspoon ground cumin 
  • servings pepper fresh black to taste
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt 
  • teaspoons kosher salt 
  •  lemon zest grated
  • 0.5 cup olive oil extra virgin extra-virgin
  • 0.3 cup basil pesto canned (you can reserve the rest by freezing)
  • small onion red halved sliced
  • 1.3 lbs chicken thighs boneless skinless quartered
  • teaspoon paprika smoked
  • tablespoon butter unsalted
  • tablespoon vegetable oil 

Equipment

  • food processor
  • bowl
  • sauce pan
  • pot
  • dutch oven

Directions

  1. Tunisian Pesto:.
  2. Combine the cilantro, parsley, almonds and garlic in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped.
  3. Add about 1/3 cup of the oil and process until completely mixed in and smooth.
  4. Add the salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper (if using). *If using immediately, add the remaining oil and pulse until smooth. If freezing, transfer the pesto to an airtight container and pour the remaining oil on top. You can freeze this for 3 months.Stew:.Bring the 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth to boil in a saucepan over high heat. Stir in the couscous, 1 t. of the salt, and pepper to taste. Cover, take off the heat and set aside while you make the stew.
  5. Heat the oil and butter in a large dutch oven (or big soup pot) over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with the remaining salt, cumin, paprika and pepper to taste.
  6. Add the chicken to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned all over - about 5 minutes.
  7. Add the carrots, onion, the 1 2/3 Cups chicken broth, vinegar and lemon zest and bring to a boil. Adjust the heat to maintain a brisk simmer, cover and cook just until the chicken is firm to the touch and the carrots are tender - about 8 minutes or so.Stir the pesto into the stew. Fluff the couscous with a fork and mound it in 4 soup bowls. Spoon some chicken stew over each portion and serve!

Nutrition Facts

Calories616kcal
Protein25.04%
Fat45.06%
Carbs29.9%

Properties

Glycemic Index
91.71
Glycemic Load
22.31
Inflammation Score
-10
Nutrition Score
32.7826088032%

Flavonoids

Cyanidin
0.22mg
Catechin
0.11mg
Epigallocatechin
0.23mg
Epicatechin
0.05mg
Eriodictyol
0.02mg
Naringenin
0.04mg
Apigenin
32.35mg
Luteolin
0.23mg
Isorhamnetin
1.61mg
Kaempferol
0.51mg
Myricetin
2.26mg
Quercetin
9.97mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:616.4kcal
30.82%
Fat:30.69g
47.22%
Saturated Fat:6.32g
39.52%
Carbohydrates:45.82g
15.27%
Net Carbohydrates:39.74g
14.45%
Sugar:4.86g
5.4%
Cholesterol:147.56mg
49.19%
Sodium:3667.07mg
159.44%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:38.37g
76.74%
Vitamin K:289.42µg
275.64%
Vitamin A:7705.64IU
154.11%
Vitamin B3:10.86mg
54.32%
Selenium:33.64µg
48.06%
Manganese:0.88mg
44.07%
Phosphorus:427.87mg
42.79%
Vitamin B6:0.82mg
40.84%
Vitamin C:28.18mg
34.15%
Vitamin B2:0.56mg
32.97%
Vitamin E:4.45mg
29.66%
Vitamin B5:2.55mg
25.47%
Magnesium:97.84mg
24.46%
Fiber:6.08g
24.34%
Potassium:820.52mg
23.44%
Zinc:3.32mg
22.13%
Iron:3.96mg
22.01%
Vitamin B1:0.31mg
20.94%
Copper:0.39mg
19.38%
Vitamin B12:0.95µg
15.84%
Folate:57.69µg
14.42%
Calcium:143.55mg
14.36%
Source:Food.com