Moroccan Spiced Chicken Paillards

Infuse your weeknight dinner with vibrant flavors and enticing aromas by preparing Moroccan Spiced Chicken Paillards. This quick and easy recipe transforms simple chicken breasts into a dazzling dish, thanks to a bold blend of warming spices like paprika, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and turmeric. The chicken is pounded thin for faster cooking and a tender texture, then seared to perfection for a golden, flavorful crust. Finished with a burst of fresh lemon zest and parsley, this dish is as refreshing as it is satisfying. Serve it with a dollop of creamy yogurt or spicy harissa for an added layer of richness, and pair it with warm flatbread or a crisp salad for a complete meal. Ready in just 25 minutes, this recipe offers a perfect balance of convenience, savoriness, and Moroccan-inspired flair.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 unit lemon
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
• 0 optional yogurt or harissa for serving

Directions

Step 1

Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of approximately 1/4 inch.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground cinnamon, ground turmeric, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

Rub both sides of each chicken paillard with olive oil and then generously sprinkle the spice mixture over both sides of the chicken, pressing gently so the spices adhere.

Step 4

Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, cook the chicken paillards for 3-4 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove from the skillet and set aside to rest for a few minutes.

Step 5

While the chicken rests, zest the lemon and chop the parsley finely. Mix the lemon zest and parsley together in a small bowl.

Step 6

Serve the chicken paillards topped with the lemon-parsley garnish. Optionally, serve with a side of yogurt or harissa for added flavor.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	911.4 grams (911.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1515

Total Fat 58.00g	74%
Saturated Fat 13.50g	68%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 585mg	195%
Sodium 2921mg	127%
Total Carbohydrate 19.20g	7%
Dietary Fiber 6.10g	22%
Total Sugars 5.40g
Protein 220.10g	440%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 283mg	22%
Iron 10mg	57%
Potassium 544mg	12%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.3%

Protein: 59.5%

Carbs: 5.2%