Need a new healthy chicken dinner? Try this oven baked chicken breast recipe full of lively Moroccan flavors. Serve it with a gluten free quinoa salad loaded with fresh herbs, juicy fruits and vegetables and crunchy slivered almonds.
I originally published this Moroccan Chicken Breast Recipe on Eazy Peazy Mealz where I’ve been a contributor.
FACT: Busy folks who like to eat healthy are always on the lookout for a new chicken breast recipe. Well, here’s one that’ll positively light up your recipe box.
People still have recipe boxes, right?
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This chicken dinner is so moist and full of flavor you and your whole family are going. To. Plotz.
The secret?
Brining.
It adds a little bit of time onto your dinner prep but man, oh man! It’s worth it. It adds so much flavor and keeps those tender chicken breasts nice and moist until they’re perfectly cooked.
If you’re new to brining and want the full scoop, here’s a great article from Huffington Post.
I’m also thrilled by all the fresh herbs and produce in this recipe. The quinoa salad is chock full of mint and cilantro, juicy apricots and crunchy carrots. And the slivered almonds simply take it to the next level. The leftovers, if there are any, make an easy pack-and-go vegetarian lunch.
And the rest of this chicken breast dinner’s flavor comes from the easy Moroccan spice mixture I created for my Moroccan Spiced Nuts Trail Mix. It’s a great addition to any game day snack bar so check it out.
More chicken dinner recipes
Orange 5 Spice Chicken Thighs {Whole 30}
Homemade Chicken Soup with Cauliflower Rice
A healthy, gluten free chicken dinner full of lively Moroccan flavors.
- 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup salt (table salt or sea salt)
- 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon whole mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon Moroccan Spice Mixture (see note)
- 2 cups vegetable broth (or water)
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 1 carrot, sliced thinly crosswise
- 2 apricots, pit removed and chopped
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
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In a saucepan, combine sugar through bay leaves with 4 cups of water over medium heat.
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Stir until sugar and salt are completely dissolved.
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Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. You can use some ice cubes if you like.
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Place chicken breasts in a bowl or baking dish and cover with brine.
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Let sit, covered in foil, in refrigerator thirty minutes to one hour.
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In another saucepan, bring vegetable broth to a boil.
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Stir in quinoa and let simmer until all liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
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Remove from heat and let come to room temperature.
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Preheat oven to 400° F.
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Remove chicken from refrigerator and discard brine.
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Rinse chicken breasts under cool water and pat dry with paper towels.
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Put chicken back in baking dish and coat well with the olive oil.
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Sprinkle spice mixture evenly over chicken and massage to cover surface evenly. Cover tops and bottoms. Also try to work it into any nooks and crannies of the breast.
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Bake at 400° for 20 minutes without disturbing it.
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While chicken is baking, combine cooled quinoa with everything from the carrot to the mint.
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Toss and top with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
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At 20 minutes, remove chicken from oven and check temperature. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°.
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If it's not quite there yet, put it back in the oven and check it every 3 to 5 minutes until it reaches 160° in the thickest parts of all the breasts.
Moroccan Spice Mixture = 2 teaspoons of ground cumin, 1½ teaspoons cinnamon, 1½ teaspoons coriander, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon allspice, ¼ teaspoon ground mustard seed. Store leftover in air tight container in spice cupboard.
Calorie information is approximate and will vary according to serving size.
Sabrina says
March 26, 2017 at 10:16 amYum, this chicken dish looks delicious! I really admire your photography, too. You have a beautiful blog.
Christine says
March 26, 2017 at 10:19 amThanks, Sabrina!
Oriana @Mommy's Home Cooking says
March 17, 2017 at 3:28 pmSo much good stuff going on in this recipe! This is the perfect spring recipe! so fresh and pretty – and healthy too. Bookmarking to try soon. Thanks!
Christine says
March 17, 2017 at 4:04 pmI’m making it tonight despite the very un-spring-like weather. But it’s coming!
Amanda says
March 17, 2017 at 1:59 pmLove the seasoning in this! Makes me want to do a little belly dancing! Seriously, though, this is a very beautiful meal!
Christine says
March 17, 2017 at 2:15 pmDancing is perfectly acceptable and highly encouraged!
Luci's Morsels says
March 17, 2017 at 1:19 pmThis chicken looks so flavorful and juicy! Yummy! I love that this is a healthy recipe as well. Thank you for sharing!
Christine says
March 17, 2017 at 2:16 pmThanks, Luci.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
March 17, 2017 at 1:11 pmMmmm. I’ve never tried brining but you make me want to start. Especially since I’m not fond of chicken breasts. I’d love to see if brining cures that!! This Moroccan recipe looks fabulous!
Christine says
March 17, 2017 at 1:17 pmI am much more of a dark meat kind of gal but the brining makes a huge difference. If you try brining I’d love to hear what you think!!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
March 17, 2017 at 11:25 amThese flavors together are amazing! I am so excited to see a) that you brined the chicken. I am giving you a virtual high-five for that since I totally agree that it’s worth the time to do it. and b) that you used apricots in the quinoa. How innovative. I love apricots and mint together so I bet it is delish! Pinning!
Christine says
March 17, 2017 at 11:42 amI’m feelin’ that virtual high five and right back atcha! And thanks for sharing, too.