Lunch: Chicken and Chickpea Tagine with Apricots and Harissa Sauce

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Cinnamon

Health and fertility benefits of Chicken and Chickpea Tagine with Apricots and Harissa Sauce

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060).

Ingredients

2 tablespoons canola oil
8 chicken thighs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large yellow onion, peeled, halved, and thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon ras al-hanut*
Large pinch saffron, soaked in 1/4 cup warm water
1 cinnamon stick
1 1/2 cups canned diced tomatoes, drained (15-ounce can)
1 1/2 cups canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained (15-ounce can)
3/4 cup dried apricots, sliced into half moons
Harissa Sauce, recipe follows
Chopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
Chopped fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
*Cook's Note: Ras al-hanut is a mixture of many different spices used in Moroccan cooking. It is available at spice markets or online.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Heat canola oil in a large Dutch oven or a tagine over high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides and place in the hot pan, skin side down, in batches if needed; cook until golden brown. Turn the thighs over and cook for 2 minutes longer. Remove chicken to a plate. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the oil from the pan then add the olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the ras al-hanut and cook another 30 seconds. Add the saffron with the soaking liquid, cinnamon stick, tomatoes, chickpeas, and apricots and bring to a simmer. Nestle the chicken into the mixture and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook on the stovetop or in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until the chicken is tender. Do not remove the lid to check on the chicken until this time. Garnish each serving with a dollop of Harissa Sauce, parsley and cilantro.
*Cook's Note: Harissa is a fiery paste of chiles, garlic, and spices. It is available at specialty markets. Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl and let stand at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator before serving.

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