Description
Msmen filled with spiced chicken is a delicious Moroccan flatbread stuffed with a flavorful mix of seasoned chicken, onions, and cheese, pan-fried until golden and crispy. This recipe offers a delightful combination of crispy, flaky dough and savory filling, perfect as a snack or main meal, and pairs wonderfully with mint tea or harissa.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 500 g flour
- 275 ml water
- 12 g honey
- 6 g baking powder
- 7 g salt
- 5 ml sunflower oil
Chicken Filling
- 550 g chicken thighs, diced
- 220 g yellow onion, finely chopped
- 10 ml olive oil
- 5 g ras el hanout
- 4 g salt
- 3 g garlic powder
- 3 g cayenne powder
- 2 g turmeric powder
- 1 g dried parsley
Other
- Cheese, to taste
- Sunflower oil, for cooking
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Mix the water and honey until dissolved, then create a well in the flour mixture and pour in the liquid along with the sunflower oil. Mix until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Knead the dough for 8 to 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes to relax the gluten.
- Cook the onions: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then add the finely chopped onions. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until translucent and soft, stirring occasionally.
- Cook the chicken: Add the diced chicken thighs to the skillet with the onions. Season with ras el hanout, salt, garlic powder, cayenne, turmeric, and dried parsley. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool.
- Divide and rest dough: Divide the rested dough into 6 equal balls. Cover and let them rest for an additional 1 hour to allow the dough to rise slightly and become more pliable.
- Roll and layer the dough: On a lightly oiled surface, roll each ball out very thinly. Brush the rolled dough with sunflower oil and fold it into a square to create layered sections, which helps produce a flaky texture.
- Fill and seal msmen: Place a portion of the cooled chicken mixture and a suitable amount of cheese in the center of each dough square. Carefully fold and seal the edges to encase the filling completely.
- Cook the filled msmen: Heat a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat. Cook each filled msmen for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden, crispy crust. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.
Notes
- Serve warm with mint tea or a side of harissa for an authentic Moroccan experience.
- These msmen can be made ahead and reheated, making them excellent for meal prep or sharing at gatherings.
- Adjust the spice levels of the chicken filling by varying cayenne powder to your preference.
- Use a cheese that melts well, such as mozzarella or a mild white cheese, to complement the savory chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed msmen
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
