Gluten Free Moroccan Skillet Quinoa and Chicken Recipe

You wouldn’t think that creative versatility of a product would be a problem. However, when the good folks at Nature’s Earthly Choice asked me to create a recipe using their organic quinoa I was a little stumped for a moment. What on earth can I come up with that hasn’t already been done? After all, quinoa, the super food of the century, can be eaten as a cereal, a side dish, a salad, in a pilaf or as a vegetarian main dish. It really is the gluten-free “IT” food!

So I thought to myself “what kind of recipe do I need?” The answer was simple – I need a dish that can be made in about half an hour which is simple to prepare, full of flavor and doesn’t dirty up a lot of pots and pans. I like skillet dishes for everyday dinners; a little prep, toss everything into a skillet and let it do its thing on the stove top giving me time to set the table and make a salad. But I also want food that lifts my spirits and feeds my soul as well as my tummy. I love it when I can eat a meal and be transported to an exotic locale, if only by my taste buds. So I decided to play around with the idea of a skillet quinoa – chicken dish, cooking the meat and quinoa in the same pan at the same time.

This Gluten Free Moroccan Skillet Quinoa and Chicken recipe is everything I want in a quick and easy week-night dinner, quick to prepare and exotic enough to make the everyday seem special. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do and use it as a springboard for your own skillet creations.

I love Earthy Choice quinoa because it is pre-rinsed (any step I can skip in preparation is great with me!) and because I can find it everywhere – even in big bags at Costco and other such big box stores – at great prices.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe

Gluten Free Moroccan Skillet Quinoa and Chicken Recipe

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time40 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 459kcal

Author: Gluten Free & More

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 lemons
• ▢ 1 tablespoon paprika
• ▢ 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• ▢ 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs - cut into 2 inch pieces
• ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 1 large onion - chopped
• ▢ 3 garlic cloves - minced
• ▢ 1 cup dried apricots - roughly chopped
• ▢ 1 cup quinoa (pre-rinsed)
• ▢ 2 cups gluten free chicken stock
• ▢ ½ cup sliced almonds
• ▢ ½ cup flat leaf parsley leaves

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• ▢
  Juice one of the lemons and thinly slice the other. Cut the slices into quarters so that you have small pieces of lemon. Set both aside (separately) for later.
• ▢
  In a medium mixing bowl, combine the paprika, coriander, cumin, salt and pepper and stir to combine. Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat.
• ▢
  In a large skillet with a lid over medium high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the chicken and brown, stirring frequently, for 3 -4 minutes. Add the cut up lemon pieces, onion, garlic and apricots. Cook, stirring frequently until the onion softens, about 5 minutes. Add the quinoa and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the chicken stock and lemon juice. Raise the heat and bring to a boil. Cover the pan, lower the heat to medium low and cook covered for 20 minutes or until the liquid has been absorbed and the quinoa is tender. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
• ▢
  While the quinoa and chicken sits, toast the almond slices. In a small, dry skillet over medium heat, toast the almonds for a few minutes stirring often until they are browned and fragrant.
• ▢
  To serve, put the quinoa chicken mixture in a serving bowl, fluff gently with a fork and top with the toasted almonds and parsley leaves.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Gluten Free Moroccan Skillet Quinoa and Chicken Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 459 Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 2g10%

Cholesterol 109mg36%

Sodium 225mg9%

Potassium 1013mg29%

Carbohydrates 44g15%

Fiber 7g28%

Sugar 15g17%

Protein 32g64%

Vitamin A 1810IU36%

Vitamin C 28.1mg34%

Calcium 106mg11%

Iron 4.8mg27%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog owner’s. This blog accepts free manufacturers’ samples and forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. Affiliate links may be included in this post.

Have you tried this recipe? Give it a star rating and let us know your thoughts in the Ratings & Reviews section below.