Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Stew with Sweet Potatoes & Chickpeas
A comforting one-pot stew with tender chicken, warm spices, and hearty vegetables—simmered together with a subtle touch of apricot and lemon.
Ingredients
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced (about 2 cups)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger, or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 to 2 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice (or 2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2½ cups)
- ¾ cup dried apricots, cut into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, optional
- 1 ¼ teaspoons lemon zest, optional
Instructions
- Sauté the onions: Liberally mist a medium to large pot with nonstick oil spray and heat over medium. Add the diced onion and ½–¾ teaspoon of the salt. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and lightly golden.
- Bloom the spices: Add the garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and tomato paste. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant and the tomato paste deepens in color. Mist lightly with more oil spray if needed to prevent sticking.
- Add the chicken: Stir in the chicken pieces and cook for about 2 minutes, just until the outside turns opaque (the chicken will finish cooking as it simmers).
- Build the stew: Add the diced tomatoes and chicken broth, scraping up any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in the chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and dried apricots.
- Simmer: Increase the heat to high and bring the stew to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the sweet potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked through. If you prefer a thicker, more stew-like texture, use the back of a spoon to mash a few sweet potato pieces right against the side of the pot and stir them back in. If the stew looks thicker than you like, or you want more sauce, stir in an additional ¼ to ½ cup broth near the end.
- Finish and serve: Stir in the remaining salt to taste, the chopped cilantro or parsley (if using), 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, and the optional lemon zest (if using). Ladle into bowls and enjoy!
Notes
Don’t skip the apricots: They may seem unexpected, but dried apricots soften beautifully and add a gentle sweetness that balances the spices without overpowering the dish.
Optional sauce thickening: Mashing a few sweet potato chunks into the broth gives the stew a richer texture — no flour or cornstarch needed.
Lemony finish: The final splash of lemon juice brightens the entire dish and brings all the flavors into focus. The zest adds an extra pop if you feel like putting in the extra effort.
Serving ideas: Delicious on its own or served over quinoa, brown rice, couscous, or cauliflower rice. A spoonful of plain Greek yogurt (or dairy-free yogurt) on top is also wonderful.
Storage & Make-Ahead:
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days
• Freeze for up to 3 months Gluten-Free: Naturally gluten-free (just double-check your broth). Vegan Option: Swap the chicken for tofu or add an extra can of chickpeas or white beans (use 2 cans total), and use vegetable broth
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days
• Freeze for up to 3 months Gluten-Free: Naturally gluten-free (just double-check your broth). Vegan Option: Swap the chicken for tofu or add an extra can of chickpeas or white beans (use 2 cans total), and use vegetable broth
Nutrition Information per serving
Serving Size: 1 cupCalories: 300Carbohydrates: 27gProtein: 35gTotal Fat: 5g— Unsaturated Fat: 4g— Saturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 570mgPotassium: 947mgFiber: 7gTotal Sugar: 8g— Natural Sugar: 8g— Added Sugar: 0gVitamin A: 7082IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 91mgIron: 2.8mg
Nutrition information is calculated using a leading industry software. That being said, brands can vary, and there may be slight fluctuations in the numbers.