Moroccan Chicken with Potatoes (Simple & Homemade): A Story From My Grandmother’s Kitchen

It all began in my grandmother’s kitchen, a warm space that always smelled like cumin, fresh garlic, and slow-simmered love. I remember watching her, wrapped in her floral apron, gently placing marinated chicken over golden potatoes in her old clay tagine. “This,” she’d say, tapping the lid gently, “is how we show love.”

Years later, when life got busier, messier, and a little more Americanized, I found myself craving that same comfort and warmth but without spending all day in the kitchen. And so, I created my own take on her dish: a Moroccan Chicken with Potatoes (Simple & Homemade) version that delivers on flavor, heart, and ease.

Whether you’re a busy mom juggling work and dinner or someone craving a soul-hugging meal after a long day, this one’s for you.

Why You’ll Love This Moroccan Chicken with Potatoes (Simple & Homemade)

Let me count the ways because this Moroccan Chicken with Potatoes (Simple & Homemade) checks every box:

• Flavor bomb: Packed with warm spices like turmeric, paprika, and cumin.
• Minimal dishes: Everything bakes beautifully in one pan.
• Crowd-pleaser: Perfect for picky eaters and spice lovers alike.
• Meal prep friendly: Tastes even better the next day (yes, really!).

If comfort food had a passport, this dish would have a Moroccan stamp and a first-class seat.

Moroccan Chicken with Potatoes (Simple & Homemade)

A comforting and flavorful dish inspired by my grandmother’s kitchen. Perfect for busy nights and full of Moroccan spice love!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Moroccan

Calories: 520

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or drumsticks)
• 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and sliced into rounds
• 1 large yellow onion thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 lemon juiced
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp sweet paprika
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 0.5 tsp ground ginger
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup chicken broth or water
• Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish

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Equipment

• Baking Dish

Method

 

1. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, ginger, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Layer potato slices in a baking dish, sprinkle with salt, and scatter a few onion slices over them.
3. Place marinated chicken on top of potatoes. Tuck remaining onions between chicken pieces. Pour broth around edges of the dish (not over the chicken).
4. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil, baste chicken with pan juices, and bake uncovered for another 20–25 minutes, until chicken is golden and cooked through.
5. Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro and serve hot with crusty bread or couscous.

Notes

Use skin-on chicken for more flavor. Want spice? Add cayenne or harissa. For crispy potatoes, avoid stacking slices too much.

Ingredients for Moroccan Chicken with Potatoes (Simple & Homemade)

Here’s what you’ll need to bring this Moroccan Chicken with Potatoes (Simple & Homemade) magic to life:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or drumsticks)
• 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced into rounds
• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp sweet paprika
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup chicken broth or water
• Fresh parsley or cilantro for garnish

How to Make Moroccan Chicken with Potatoes (Simple & Homemade)

Step 1: Marinate Like a Moroccan

In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, ginger, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and toss well until each piece is coated in that sunshine-hued spice mix.

Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes. (Overnight in the fridge? Even better!)

Step 2: Layer Like You Mean It

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

In a baking dish or cast iron skillet, layer the potato rounds like you’re laying out dominoes. Add a sprinkle of salt and a few onion slices. Place your marinated chicken right on top and tuck the rest of the onions between the chicken pieces. Pour the broth around the edges not directly on top to keep that crispy skin alive.

Step 3: Bake & Swoon

Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil, baste the chicken with the pan juices, and bake uncovered for another 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is golden and cooked through.

Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot with crusty bread or warm couscous if you’re feeling extra.

Tips for Perfect Moroccan Chicken with Potatoes (Simple & Homemade)

• No tagine? No problem. A cast-iron skillet or any oven-safe dish works beautifully.
• Use skin-on chicken for maximum flavor and juiciness.
• Want it spicy? Add a pinch of cayenne or harissa paste.
• Crispy potatoes tip: Arrange slices slightly overlapping but not stacked to avoid steaming.

A Little Story About This Moroccan Chicken with Potatoes

I made this Moroccan Chicken with Potatoes (Simple & Homemade) last Thanksgiving not instead of turkey, but next to it. And guess what got devoured first? Yep. The chicken. My aunt asked for the recipe. My cousin said it reminded her of the summer she spent in Tangier. And my little one? Three helpings. That’s when I knew this dish wasn’t just simple and homemade it was special.

FAQs About Moroccan Chicken with Potatoes (Simple & Homemade)

Can I substitute chicken thighs with breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken breasts work too, but they cook faster. Keep an eye to avoid drying them out.

Can I make this Moroccan Chicken with Potatoes ahead?

Yes! This dish reheats like a dream. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

What should I serve with Moroccan Chicken with Potatoes?

Couscous, crusty bread, or a green salad all pair well. Or check out our 10-minute lemony couscous recipe.

Is this Moroccan Chicken recipe spicy?

Not inherently. But you can spice it up with cayenne, chili flakes, or harissa.

Related Recipes to Try

If you loved this Moroccan Chicken with Potatoes (Simple & Homemade), you’ll also enjoy:

• One-Pan Mediterranean Chicken Bake
• Lemon Garlic Roasted Potatoes
• 30-Minute Spiced Chickpea Stew
• Easy Homemade Chicken Shawarma

Final Thoughts on Moroccan Chicken with Potatoes (Simple & Homemade)

There’s something quietly magical about this Moroccan Chicken with Potatoes (Simple & Homemade) dish. It’s easy enough for weeknights, soulful enough for Sundays, and warm enough to wrap you in a big kitchen hug. Every time I make it, I feel like I’m back in that little kitchen with my grandmother only now I’ve added a sprinkle of my own.

I’m the creator of Quicky Girl Recipes, where I share easy air fryer meals, cozy comfort food, and simple recipes made for real life.
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