Quick & Easy One-Pot M'hammsa with Chicken and Zucchini

Name: Quick & Easy One-Pot M'hammsa with Chicken and Zucchini
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Moroccan
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon Olive oil (or your preferred cooking oil); 300 grams Chicken breast (cut into bite-sized pieces); 1 medium Onion (chopped); 2 cloves Garlic (minced); 2 medium Zucchini (diced); 2 tablespoons Tomato paste; 1/2 teaspoon Salt (or to taste); 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper (or to taste); 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric; 1/2 teaspoon Paprika; 1/2 teaspoon Ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon Ground cumin; 1 cup M'hammsa pasta (or other small pasta like orzo); 3 cups Water or chicken broth (adjust as needed); 1/4 cup Fresh coriander or parsley (chopped, for garnish)

This quick and easy one-pot recipe features M'hammsa, a small Moroccan pasta, cooked with tender chicken breast and fresh zucchini in a flavorful tomato-based sauce. It's a perfect 'lazy dinner' idea that's both healthy and satisfying, requiring minimal cleanup. The dish is seasoned with a blend of aromatic spices, making it a delicious and hearty meal.

#One-Pot

#M'hammsa

#Chicken

#Zucchini

#Moroccan

#Easy

#Quick Dinner

#Healthy

#Weeknight Meal

#Pasta

Cooked One-Pot M'hammsa in the pot

Recipe Information

15m

Prep Time

35m

Cook Time

50m

Total Time

Servings

Easy

Moroccan

Arabic

Nutrition (per serving)

450

Calories

35g

Protein

45g

Carbs

18g

Fat

Serving of M'hammsa with chicken and zucchini

Ingredients

Servings: 4

💡 Tip: Check off ingredients as you add them to keep track of your progress!

Close-up of the textured dish

Instructions

0/6 completed

1
Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep pan over medium-high heat. Add the cut chicken breast pieces and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 3-5 minutes.
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4m
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Heat olive oil in a large pot or deep pan over medium-high heat. Add the cut chicken breast pieces and cook until lightly browned on all sides, about 3-5 minutes.
4m
Don't overcrowd the pan; cook chicken in batches if necessary for better browning.
2
Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
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3m
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Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion softens and becomes translucent.
3m
Stir frequently to prevent garlic from burning, as burnt garlic can taste bitter.
3
Stir in the diced zucchini, tomato paste, salt, black pepper, turmeric, paprika, ginger, and cumin. Mix well to coat the chicken and vegetables evenly with the spices and tomato paste. Cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
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5m
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Stir in the diced zucchini, tomato paste, salt, black pepper, turmeric, paprika, ginger, and cumin. Mix well to coat the chicken and vegetables evenly with the spices and tomato paste. Cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
5m
Cooking the tomato paste for a few minutes deepens its flavor before adding liquid.
4
Add the M'hammsa pasta to the pot and stir to combine with the other ingredients. Pour in the water or chicken broth, ensuring all ingredients are mostly submerged. Bring the mixture to a boil.
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3m
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Add the M'hammsa pasta to the pot and stir to combine with the other ingredients. Pour in the water or chicken broth, ensuring all ingredients are mostly submerged. Bring the mixture to a boil.
3m
Using broth instead of water will add more depth to the flavor of the dish.
5
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the M'hammsa is cooked through and most of the liquid has been absorbed, creating a thick sauce.
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18m
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Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the M'hammsa is cooked through and most of the liquid has been absorbed, creating a thick sauce.
18m
Stir occasionally to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash more hot water or broth.
6
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh chopped coriander or parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot and enjoy your one-pot meal!
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1m
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Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the fresh chopped coriander or parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot and enjoy your one-pot meal!
1m
A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can brighten up the flavors.