Moroccan spices are so incredibly gorgeous and warming in the cooler weather. I crave food like that when the temperatures drop for sure. So I decided to put all of those lovely Moroccan spices and flavors into a pasta dish to just join those two cuisines in one happy marriage. Oh my goodness was it a wonderful wedding! Best of all, it was really simple to make.
It really was such a simple recipe and I was in love. The best were the little juicy bursts from the raisins that plumped up while cooking in the sauce, along with the salty crunch of the cashews. SO many textures and flavors going on for a perfect bite. Hope you all enjoy this fusion of two cuisines too! xoxo
This Moroccan chicken pasta is so hearty and flavorful while not being heavy with its gorgeous spice mixture and light sauce!
- 1 dash olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenders diced small
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Ras el Hanout spice blend divided
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 pinches salt divided
- 2 pinches black pepper divided
- 10 ounces frozen cubed butternut squash
- 1/2 an onion diced small
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup salted cashews
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons white wine
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1.5 ounces raisins a snack sized box
- 1 pound medium shells or any short pasta you like
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First, get a pot of water on to boil for the pasta. Salt it generously. Then get out a large skillet with deep sides and heat the olive oil in it over medium high heat. Add the diced chicken and let it cook through completely for about 4-5 minutes. While it cooks, season it well with 1 teaspoon of the Ras el Hanout blend, turmeric, coriander, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, 1 pinch of salt and 1 pinch of black pepper. When it is done cooking, remove it to a plate. Add in the frozen butternut squash and let it start to soften for a couple of minutes. Then stir in the onion, garlic, cilantro and cashews. Let them get fragrant for a few more minutes, then sprinkle in the flour. This will thicken everything, let it cook off for a couple of minutes.
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Finally pour in the wine, chicken stock and milk and stir it well. Add in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of Ras el Hanout, pinch of salt and pinch of pepper, along with the raisins. Return the chicken to the pan. Let the sauce come to a low boil, then reduce it to a simmer for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, the water should be boiling. Let it cook until tender for about 8 minutes or so and then drain it. Stir it in with the yummy sauce. Scoop into pretty bowls and serve immediately! Enjoy!!
Wow! This would be like a party in your mouth! Sounds delicious and so different from what I normally cook.
Thanks very much, I appreciate that! It is definitely a party in the mouth :-).
Ahhhhh that looks so delicious! It actually reminds me of chicken curry!
Thanks very much!!
This looks so good and flavorful. I like to try new flavor combinations that I am not familiar with.
Thank you so much!!
Oh my goodness, that finished dish looks absolutely delicious! Do you think I could replicate this recipe with rice instead of the pasta? I have a gluten sensitivity!
Oh you could definitely serve this over rice, quinoa, couscous or a gluten free pasta!
Yum!!! We are huge pasta lover’s over here, but never had moroccan
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Thanks so much!!
Yum! This dish looks delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks very much!!