Moroccan Chicken Vermicelli (Seffa Medfouna) Recipe - CookingWithAlia - Episode 205

chicken

🥗Healthier: turkey

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Turkey is leaner, while chicken thighs are more affordable.

vermicelli

🥗Healthier: whole wheat pasta

💰Cheaper: spaghetti

Whole wheat pasta adds fiber, while spaghetti is often less expensive.

almonds

🥗Healthier: walnuts

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Walnuts provide healthy fats, while sunflower seeds are budget-friendly.

chickpeas

🥗Healthier: lentils

💰Cheaper: canned beans

Lentils are nutritious and quick to cook, while canned beans are cost-effective.

Drizzle olive oil and vegetable oil in a pot.

Add grated onions, chicken spices, cinnamon sticks, and chicken; mix with a wooden spoon.

Cover the pot and cook the chicken on medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

After 5 minutes, add finely chopped parsley, cilantro, and smen; mix well.

Add enough water to cover half the height of the chicken, cover the pot, and increase heat to medium-high.

Cook the chicken until done, about 30-40 minutes, until soft.

Remove the chicken from the pot and place it in a bowl.

Uncover the pot, increase heat to high, and let the sauce cook for 10 minutes until thick and silky.

Return the chicken to the pot, cover, and keep until ready to serve.

Soak dates and raisins in warm water for at least 30 minutes before using.

Fry blanched almonds in hot vegetable oil until golden brown; remove and drain on paper towel.

Optionally, blend some fried almonds with orange blossom water and powdered sugar.

Steam the raisins and pitted dates separately for 10-15 minutes until softened.

Mix 2 tablespoons of oil with vermicelli until coated.

Steam vermicelli in a couscous pot with water and 1/2 lemon until the first steam appears, about 15-20 minutes.

Remove vermicelli, add 1/2 cup salted water, mix, and let rest for 5 minutes.

Return vermicelli to couscous pot and steam again until ready, checking for doneness.

Fluff the cooked vermicelli with a little butter.

Mix hot vermicelli with steamed raisins; layer vermicelli on a plate, top with chicken and sauce, then cover with remaining vermicelli in a dome shape.

Optionally, decorate with ground almonds, walnuts, and dates.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens