The Daring Gourmet

Grappling Each Dish By The Horns

Sign up for our newsletter!
No SPAM. Ever.Check out our privacy policy
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Home & Garden
  • Travel
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Shop

Home » Food » By Ingredient » Chicken » Moroccan Chicken Salad

Moroccan Chicken Salad

August 14, 2022 by Kimberly Killebrew · 72 Comments

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my disclosure policy.

214 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

The flavors of Morocco come together in this irresistibly delicious Moroccan Chicken Salad recipe!  Perfect as a sandwich filling or served on a bed of lettuce leaves!

moroccan chicken salad recipe olives apricots nuts almonds cilantro mayonnaise curry preserved lemons recipe

 Moroccan food is just downright delicious.  It’s considered among the most diverse cuisines in the world, the reason being that for centuries Morocco rubbed shoulders with a number of other culture influences, and they embraced those influences.  Moroccan cuisine is primarily Berber-Moorish but also incorporates European influences, especially the Mediterranean.

Morocco blue building

This Moroccan chicken salad is a recipe that I developed several years ago and it has been a family favorite ever since.  While by no means a traditional Moroccan dish, it incorporates several authentic Moroccan ingredients and flavors.

Many dishes in Morocco combine such ingredients as meat (mostly commonly chicken) with a variety of textures and flavors like crunchy nuts, sweet dried fruits, honey, harissa (a fiery Moroccan chili paste), olives and, a personal favorite, preserved lemons.  That combination of ingredients is commonly found in tagines, a traditional Moroccan dish cooked in domed ceramic with the same name.

Moroccan-Chicken-Salad-6

We’re going to create a fun and tasty dish that’s kind of like a tagine in the form of a chicken salad!

This Moroccan Chicken Salad is delicious as a sandwich filling but is also perfect to serve as an appetizer:  Slice croissants into rounds, place a small piece of lettuce on them and top with a dollop of Moroccan Chicken Salad.  Or, if you’re going for something lighter, low carb or gluten free, you can use Belgium endives:  Remove the leaves and scoop some chicken salad into them.  In both cases a small sprig of cilantro or parsley and a slice or two of black olives makes the perfect garnish.

moroccan chicken salad recipe olives apricots nuts almonds cilantro mayonnaise curry preserved lemons recipe

Olives are an integral part of Moroccan cuisine and are a perfect addition to this chicken salad where they add a touch of brininess and a nice earthy flavor.  When it comes to choosing which olive to use for this chicken salad, you can go with a mild or stronger olive, whichever you prefer.

If you prefer a stronger olive, Kalamata olives are a great option.   With their deep, purplish tones, Kalamata olives are rich and intensely fruity and stand up well next to bold flavors.  They add a nice briney contrast to this Moroccan Chicken Salad which I love.

Whichever route you choose, the flavors and textures in this Moroccan Chicken Salad are sure to win you over!

bowls of olives

Moroccan Chicken Recipe

Let’s get started!

Slice the Kalamata olives, finely mince the preserved lemon, and coarsely chop the dried apricots, slivered almonds and cilantro.

diced ingredients

The preserved lemons contribute soooo much to the flavor of this chicken salad.  If you can’t find them in your local ethnic foods store you can very easily make them yourself, which is what I do.  Check out my recipe for   Preserved Lemons.

preserved lemons recipe

Add everything to medium mixing bowl with all of the remaining ingredients except for the chicken.  Stir to combine.

combining ingredients in a bowl

Pour the mixture over the chicken in a large mixing bowl and stir to thoroughly coat the chicken.

combining sauce in bowl

Cover and refrigerate the Moroccan Chicken Salad for at least 2 hours before serving.

mixing ingredients in a bowl

Enjoy as a delicious sandwich spread…

moroccan chicken salad recipe olives apricots nuts almonds cilantro mayonnaise curry preserved lemons recipe

…or, as an appetizer, serve the Moroccan Chicken Salad scooped into endive leaves or on sliced croissant rounds (place a small piece of lettuce on the croissant slices to add color, texture and to prevent the croissant from getting soggy).

Enjoy!

moroccan chicken salad recipe olives apricots nuts almonds cilantro mayonnaise curry preserved lemons recipe

For more Moroccan inspired dishes be sure to try our:

  • Moroccan Veggie Burgers
  • Chicken Tagine
  • Moroccan Chicken (Djej Makalli)
  • Moroccan Chicken

And if you’re interested in more conventional chicken salad, ours gets RAVE reviews from our readers.  Be sure to try our BEST Chicken Salad!

 

moroccan chicken salad recipe olives preserved lemon nuts dried fruits apricots

Moroccan Chicken Salad

Kimberly Killebrew
The flavors of Morocco come together in this irresistibly delicious Moroccan Chicken Salad that's perfect as a sandwich filling or served on a bed of lettuce!
Print Recipe
4.75 from 4 votes
Prep Time 15 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Moroccan
Servings 6
Calories 367 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 pound cooked chicken breast , diced
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup sliced Kalamata Olives , rinsed and drained
  • 1/4 finely minced preserved lemon , flesh discarded; thoroughly rinse the peel before mincing
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped dried apricots
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup chopped slivered almonds
  • 1 teaspoon mild curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon harissa
  • 1/2 teaspoons salt

Instructions
 

  • Place all the ingredients except for the chicken in a bowl and stir to combine. Pour the mixture over the chicken in a large mixing bowl and stir to thoroughly coat the chicken. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
  • Enjoy as a sandwich filling or as an appetizer serve it scooped into endive leaves or sliced croissant rounds (place a small piece of lettuce on the croissant slices to add color, texture and to prevent the croissant from getting soggy).

Nutrition

Calories: 367kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 573mg | Potassium: 386mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 441IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 2mg
Keyword Moroccan Chicken Salad
Tried this recipe? Mention @daringgourmet or hashtag #daringgourmet

Originally published on The Daring Gourmet July 31, 2016

 

 

 

214 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

72 Comments →

« Pickled Jalapenos
Sweet Pepper and Onion Relish »

72 Responses

  1. Mickie Philip says

    August 22, 2022 at 12:01 pm

    I just finished making this delightful salad! I made it to take as an appetizer tomorrow night. I thought the flavors would be even better tomorrow. I’ll add the cilantro before I leave home. I truly, truly enjoyed the combination of flavors. It’s an outstanding recipe, Kimberly! Many thanks for sharing this recipe! Happy Cooking!

    Reply
    • Kimberly Killebrew says

      August 24, 2022 at 6:53 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Mickie, thank you! And yes, the flavors only improve the next day. So happy you enjoyed this as much as we do! :)

      Reply
  2. Barbara says

    July 3, 2020 at 11:37 am

    How do you think it would taste if I left out the apricots and cilantro?

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      July 3, 2020 at 1:18 pm

      About half as good, Barbara! :)

      Reply
  3. Lora says

    March 4, 2018 at 2:15 pm

    Hi,
    This isn’t specifically about this recipe, but I just thought I should let you know that Morocco is in Africa and not the Middle East.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      March 4, 2018 at 3:22 pm

      That is absolutely correct, Lora. Where is it you think I suggested otherwise?

      Reply
      • Taylor says

        August 15, 2022 at 2:43 am

        Very tasty recipe, thought it was a nice twist. And I believe Lora’s comment was because this dish/the Morocco category are listed under Middle East instead of Africa

        Reply
        • Kimberly Killebrew says

          August 15, 2022 at 6:33 pm

          Wonderful, Taylor, I’m glad you enjoyed it, thank you! And I see the glitch in the categories now, thanks for pointing that out.

          Reply
  4. Sara says

    August 15, 2016 at 9:12 am

    Argh, this recipe is making me wish I didn’t hate olives and their evil caper cousins! Any suggestions on something else I might substitute in this recipe to get that salty kick?

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      August 15, 2016 at 11:16 am

      Lol, Sara! Well, there’s really no adequate substitute for olives, they’re so unique. That said, if you simply leave them out this chicken salad will still taste awesome.

      Reply
  5. Kate H. says

    August 9, 2016 at 3:52 pm

    I made this for lunch today and it is SOOOOOO good!!! I didn’t change anything except that I didn’t have harissa so I used a spicy curry powder instead to give it a touch of kick. This is seriously the best chicken salad I’ve ever had. I brought extra with me to work and a couple of my co-workers tried it. Everyone wants the recipe, lol :) THANK YOU for this amazing recipe, I will definitely be making it again and again!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      August 9, 2016 at 3:59 pm

      That’s awesome, Kate, I’m so glad you and your co-workers enjoyed it, thanks so much for letting us know!

      Reply
  6. [email protected] says

    August 8, 2016 at 12:00 pm

    Such a great Summer recipe, my entire family would love this. Especially with these perfect olives!

    Reply
« Older Comments

Add your Response Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Receive the latest from The Daring Gourmet!

No SPAM. Ever.Check out our privacy policy
  • About
  • Request
  • Contact
  • Privacy

Copyright © 2023 · The Daring Gourmet · All Rights Reserved

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Home & Garden
  • Travel
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Shop