Moroccan Spiced Chicken Thighs (Printable)

Tender chicken thighs coated in fragrant Moroccan spices and roasted to crispy perfection.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

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

→ Marinade & Spices

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

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
14 - Lemon wedges

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F.
02 - In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, cayenne, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create a smooth marinade.
03 - Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor development.
04 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side up, ensuring even spacing for proper heat circulation.
05 - Roast in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until the skin is crispy and golden brown. The chicken is done when an internal temperature of 165°F is reached.
06 - Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and lemon wedges before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The spice blend creates an incredible depth of flavor that tastes like you spent hours developing it
  • Skin-on thighs stay incredibly juicy while getting perfectly crispy in the oven
  • The marinade does most of the work for you, making this an easy weeknight warrior
02 -
  • Pat the chicken skin dry before marinating if you want it extra crispy
  • Room temperature chicken marinades more evenly than cold straight from the fridge
  • Letting the chicken rest after cooking locks in all those precious juices
03 -
  • Make a double batch of the spice blend and store it for quick weeknight meals
  • The chicken freezes beautifully after cooking, perfect for meal prep

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