Low FODMAP Moroccan Chicken

Name: Low FODMAP Moroccan Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Moroccan
Ingredients: ¼ cup garlic-infused olive oil; 2 teaspoon ground paprika; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon ground coriander; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground turmeric; ¼ teaspoon ground ginger; ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional; 1 (20-ounce) package boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)

Published Jun 19, 2017 by Em Schwartz, MS, RDN

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Spiced without being overly spicy, this Low FODMAP Moroccan Chicken is a delicious alternative to plain, grilled chicken.

Close up side shot of low FODMAP Moroccan chicken

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a staple in our household. I love using different homemade spice blends to transform plain chicken to fit almost any cuisine.

This Moroccan spice blend is one of my favorites and is filled with cumin, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric. It’s easy to make and produces tender, juicy, and oh-so-flavorful chicken every time.

Chicken Thighs vs. Chicken Breasts

I might raise a few eyebrows when I say that I prefer eating chicken thighs over chicken breasts as a dietitian. Yes, chicken breasts have lower total fat and saturated fat content compared to thighs, but the difference isn’t that great when comparing skinless chicken breasts with skinless chicken thighs:

Chicken Breast (3 oz.): Fat 7g, Saturated fat 2g, Protein 25g, Iron 4%
Chicken Thigh (3 oz.): Fat 13g, Saturated fat 3.5g, Protein 21g, Iron 6%

Additionally, chicken thighs are often a little more affordable than chicken breasts. And, because of the slightly higher fat content, they are less likely to dry out when cooking and have more flavor than chicken breasts.

Although I personally prefer chicken thighs, I’m not advocating one is better than the other. In my opinion, no single food is good or bad. Feel free to use either in this recipe and most other chicken recipes. 🙂

Small white containers filled with spices

Ingredients Needed to Make this Recipe

To make Low FODMAP Moroccan Chicken you will need:

Garlic-infused olive oil is a FODMAP-friendly way to add garlicky flavor. It’s my go-to low FODMAP garlic substitute.
Spices including paprika, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and optional cayenne pepper for all the Moroccan-inspired flavor.
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts

A white plate filled with low FODMAP tabbouleh and Moroccan chicken

How to Make Moroccan Chicken

Make the marinade. In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic-infused olive oil, spices (paprika, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and cayenne pepper).

Whisking a Moroccan chicken marinade in a glass bowl.

Marinate. Transfer mixture to a gallon ziptop bag or glass container with a lid. Add chicken and mix to coat. Seal and place the chicken in the refrigerator to marinate.

Chicken thighs coated in low FODMAP Moroccan chicken marinade

Grill or broil. When you’re ready to eat, preheat grill (or broiler) on high. If using the broiler, I will coat a broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray before adding the chicken. Cook the chicken thighs for 6-8 minutes per side or until cooked through* and no longer pink inside.

*I recommend using a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part to double-check that it is done. Chicken is cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Marinated chicken sitting on a broiler pan.

Serve warm with your favorite sides. Check out the serving suggestions below for some ideas. You can also store the cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

A plate with Moroccan chicken, baby red potatoes, and a cucumber, tomato, and dill salad.

Serving Suggestions:

For a boost of whole grains and veggies, pair this Moroccan Chicken with Low FODMAP Quinoa Tabbouleh.

Serve Moroccan chicken over a bed of crunchy romaine with diced tomatoes, diced cucumbers, Kalamata olives, and Low FODMAP Lemon Vinaigrette.

Pair this flavorful chicken with simple sides, like steamed baby red potatoes and Low FODMAP Tomato Salad with Cucumbers.

Looking for something even easier? Try this Low FODMAP Moroccan Chicken with Birds Eye® Steamfresh® Brown Rice or Minute® Brown Rice (seasoned with a squeeze of lemon juice), a handful of baby carrots, and a handful of olives. For dessert, enjoy an orange or a couple of squares of dark chocolate.