Ras el Hanout Chicken Thighs - Moroccan Chicken

Ras el Hanout Chicken Thighs are seasoned with a Moroccan spice blend that brings delicious flavor to the roasted chicken. The chicken thighs get crispy and juicy in the oven.

I love making chicken thighs. Whether they are roasted in the oven or cooked in the air fryer, the combination of the juicy chicken and the crispy skin just can't be beat.

They are also so forgiving! Unless chicken breasts, it's much harder to dry out chicken thighs. They remain juicy across so many temperatures, and then also reheat nicely!

These ras el hanout chicken thighs are one of my favorite ones to make. The flavor of the ras el hanout seasoning just makes the chicken thighs smell incredible when cooking, and gives them a delicious and complex taste.

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Ras el hanout

What is ras el hanout?

Ras el Hanout is a spice blend found in Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria. It has fall flavors like cinnamon, coriander, cumin, and other spices as part of the blend. It's delicious used to flavor meats and also veggies like these ras el hanout carrots.

Want to learn more about Moroccan cuisine? I recommend the Taste of Moroc website.

How to serve the chicken thighs:

I love serving the chicken thighs with some fresh lemon juice or lemon zest and fresh herbs like chopped parsley or cilantro. You could also make a tahini sauce to pair with the ras el hanout chicken.

The chicken is delicious served with side dishes like:

• Arugula salad with shaved parmesan
• Chipotle mashed sweet potatoes
• Roasted red cabbage
• Air fryer squash
• Roasted cauliflower with curry and turmeric

Can you use boneless, skinless chicken thighs?

Yes! You can absolutely use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. You will just reduce the cooking time. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs usually take 25-30 minutes, but check frequently! Chicken thighs are best cooked to an internal temperature of 185-195 degrees F. This is the meat thermometer I have.

Recipe tips:

• Cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken thighs. I typically cook mine for 40-45 minutes, but you may need to slightly increase or decrease based on the size of chicken thighs.
• These chicken thighs cook perfectly on a baking sheet. I do not recommend cooking in a casserole dish, as it will affect the skin crisping us as nicely.
• This recipe is easy to double! Just make sure to leave room between the chicken thighs on the baking sheet.
• Want to make these in your air fryer? I recommend following the directions on this air fryer crispy chicken thighs recipe. You'll season with ras el hanout seasoning, as in this recipe, but then cook in your air fryer.

How to make Ras el Hanout Chicken:

Take chicken thighs and pat dry. Sprinkle salt on the chicken thighs, then rub olive oil onto the surface of the chicken.

Sprinkle the ras el hanout seasoning onto both the top and bottom of the chicken thighs and rub into the surface so the chicken is well-coated in the seasoning.

Place on a baking sheet, skin side up, and bake for 35-45 minutes at 400 degrees F, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 185-195 degrees F. (Note chicken breasts are usually safe to eat at 165 F, but chicken thighs are tastier closer to 195 F, according to America's Test Kitchen). Don't have a meat thermometer? This is the one I have.

Let chicken thighs rest for 5-7 minutes, then plate and enjoy! I love serving with fresh herbs like chopped parsley or cilantro and lemon slices for squeezing fresh lemon juice or lemon zest.

Other chicken recipes to love: