Spicy Tunisian Charmoula Chicken with Preserved Lemon

Name: Spicy Tunisian Charmoula Chicken with Preserved Lemon
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Fresh cilantro; Fresh parsley; Preserved lemon; Garlic; Ground cumin; Ground coriander; Ground paprika; Cayenne pepper; Olive oil; Fresh lemon juice; Salt and pepper; Chicken thighs; Olive oil; Preserved lemon; Red onion; Fresh lemon juice; Olive oil

A flavorful North African chicken dish

This dish combines spicy Tunisian charmoula with tangy preserved lemon, creating a robust and aromatic flavor profile perfect for any occasion.

1 h 30 min
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Charmoula Marinade

Fresh cilantro

1 cup, chopped

Fresh parsley

1 cup, chopped

Preserved lemon

2 tablespoons, finely chopped

Garlic

4 cloves, minced

Ground cumin

1 tablespoon

Ground coriander

1 tablespoon

Ground paprika

1 teaspoon

Cayenne pepper

½ teaspoon

Olive oil

¼ cup

Fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons

Salt and pepper

To taste

For the Chicken

Chicken thighs

4, bone-in, skin-on

Olive oil

2 tablespoons

For the Preserved Lemon Relish

Preserved lemon

1, finely diced

Red onion

2 tablespoons, finely chopped

Fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon

Olive oil

1 tablespoon

Preparation

Marinating the Chicken

Combine Ingredients

In a bowl, combine cilantro, parsley, preserved lemon, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, cayenne, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Coat Chicken

Rub the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it's well-coated.

Refrigerate

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally overnight.

Preparing the Relish

Mix Relish Ingredients

In a small bowl, mix the preserved lemon with red onion, lemon juice, and olive oil.

⚠ Important: Make sure to rinse preserved lemons if they are heavily salted.

Meld Flavors

Stir well and let sit for at least 15 minutes to meld flavors.

Set Aside

Set aside for serving.

Cooking Process

Grill Chicken

Preheat the grill to medium-high. Grill marinated chicken skin-side down first until cooked through and charred.

💡 Pro Tip: Char the chicken skin for extra crispiness and flavor depth.

Make Relish

Mix preserved lemon and ingredients as noted in preparation. Let sit.

Check Doneness

Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Timing & Heat Guide

Marination: 1 hour (or overnight) Grilling: 25-30 minutes Heat Guide: • Grilling Chicken: Medium-high heat • Keeping Chicken Warm: Low heat

Plating & Serving