Moroccan Spiced Chicken Thighs (Print)

Tender roasted chicken thighs with a fragrant Moroccan spice blend. Quick, easy, and full of flavor.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

→ Marinade

02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 tablespoon ground cumin
06 - 1 tablespoon ground coriander
07 - 1 teaspoon ground paprika
08 - 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
13 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ Garnish

14 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
15 - Lemon wedges

# How To Make It:

01 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt in a large mixing bowl until well combined.
02 - Add chicken thighs to the marinade, turning to coat completely. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange marinated chicken thighs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, positioning skin side up.
04 - Roast for 35 minutes until skin is crispy and golden, and internal temperature reaches 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer.
05 - Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and accompany with lemon wedges. Serve immediately with couscous, rice, or flatbread.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The chicken skin gets impossibly crispy while the meat stays juicy inside
  • One bowl marinade means less cleanup and more flavor absorption
  • The spice blend creates this beautiful golden color that looks impressive but is incredibly simple
02 -
  • Pat the chicken skin dry before marinating to ensure it crisps up properly in the oven
  • Letting the chicken rest at room temperature for 20 minutes before roasting helps it cook more evenly
  • Do not overcrowd the pan or the chicken will steam instead of roast
03 -
  • For extra flavor, slide thin lemon slices under the chicken skin before marinating
  • The spice rub also works beautifully on roasted vegetables or cauliflower steaks

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