Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken

Note from my friend Elizabeth: 

“If you need a recipe of the week, this was easy, yummy and slightly different from usual Crock Pot chicken stews. The hardest part is cutting up the butternut squash but even Costco sells that seasonally. And the chicken thighs give it a richer flavor. Cozy and warm!! “

Moroccan cuisine contains an exquisite combination of savory and sweet spices to create unique flavors. The result is often quite memorable, as in the case of this Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken. You’ll notice cinnamon in the ingredient list, not a typical spice to be included in a chicken dish, however the combination works beautifully. 

Vibrant fresh veggies like butternut squash, tomatoes and onions create a nutritious base on which to serve this tender, spiced chicken. Meals like this are the building blocks for creating a lean, fit body. 

Courtesy of RealHealthyRecipes.com

What You Need
Serves 8

1 butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cubed
2 medium tomatoes, seeded and cubed
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
3 lbs bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
½ cup pimento stuffed green olives, chopped
1 Tablespoon fresh chives, minced 

Instructions

1. In a slow cooker, combine the squash, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and broth. Season generously with salt and pepper. 

2. In a small bowl, combine the coriander, cumin, cinnamon, salt, and ground black pepper. Rub spice mixture all over chicken thighs; place chicken on top of vegetable mixture in the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours.

3. Once cooked, remove the bones and shred the meat. Transfer the veggies with a slotted spoon to a serving platter and top with the shredded meat, chopped olives and minced chives. Enjoy! 

Nutrition
One serving equals: 268 calories, 10g fat, 9g carbohydrate, 3g sugar, 560mg sodium, 2g fiber, and 35g protein.