Slow Cooker North African Chicken Stew

This crockpot North African chicken is a simple, flavorful dinner made with tender chicken thighs, chickpeas, onion, garlic, broth, and warm ras el hanout seasoning. Inspired by Moroccan and North African flavors, this easy slow cooker chicken recipe delivers deep, aromatic taste with very little prep. It is a great choice when you want something different from your usual weeknight meal but still need a dish that is affordable, hearty, and mostly hands-off. Instant Pot instructions are included as well, so you can make this North African chicken recipe in either the slow cooker or pressure cooker.

Ingredients For Crock-Pot North African Chicken

• Chicken Thighs
• Ras El Hanout Seasoning
• Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)
• Onion
• Garlic
• Chicken Broth

This slow cooker North African chicken uses a short ingredient list, but the flavor is rich and layered. Chicken thighs are ideal because they stay tender during slow cooking, while chickpeas add texture and make the dish more filling. Onion and garlic form the savory base, and chicken broth helps everything cook into a fragrant, saucy meal. The ingredient that brings the recipe together is ras el hanout, a warm spice blend commonly used in North African cooking.

How To Make North African Chicken In The Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker

1. Add the onion, garlic, broth, and chickpeas to the slow cooker. Stir until the ingredients are evenly combined.
2. Season the chicken generously on all sides with ras el hanout seasoning. Place the seasoned chicken on top of the chickpea mixture in the slow cooker.
3. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours or on LOW for 4 to 6 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Instant Pot

1. Set the Instant Pot to the high sauté setting. Once hot, add the oil and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 additional minute. Turn off the Instant Pot.
2. Stir in 1 cup of broth. Deglaze the bottom of the pressure cooker by scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Stir in the chickpeas.
3. Season the chicken generously on all sides with ras el hanout seasoning. Add the chicken to the Instant Pot.
4. Close the lid and seal the vent. Cook on high pressure for 12 minutes. When the cooking time is complete, quick release the pressure.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Easy slow cooker meal – The prep is quick, and the slow cooker handles the rest.
• Bold, aromatic flavor – Ras el hanout gives the chicken warm, fragrant, Moroccan-inspired taste.
• One-pot dinner – Chicken and chickpeas cook together in the same pot for a hearty meal.
• Filling without being heavy – The combination of protein, legumes, and spices is satisfying but not overly rich.
• Great for meal prep – The flavors continue to develop as the leftovers sit.
• Naturally gluten-free – As written, this recipe does not require any wheat-based ingredients.

This crockpot North African chicken is especially useful for busy days because it does not require browning the chicken first. Add the base ingredients, season the chicken, and let everything cook until tender. The result is a comforting dish with a different flavor profile than standard slow cooker chicken dinners. It is simple enough for a weeknight but flavorful enough to serve when you want something special.

FAQs & Tips

What is North African Chicken?

North African chicken is a spice-forward chicken dish inspired by the cuisines of countries such as Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Dishes from this region often rely on warm, aromatic spices to create deep flavor without complicated preparation. In this recipe, the key seasoning is ras el hanout, a traditional spice blend that commonly includes spices such as cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, ginger, turmeric, and other warm seasonings. This slow cooker version is inspired by those classic flavors while keeping the method simple and approachable.

What Cut Of Chicken To Use

This recipe calls for chicken thighs, but you can use the cut of chicken you prefer. Bone-in thighs, boneless thighs, skin-on thighs, skinless thighs, drumsticks, or chicken breasts can all work. Bone-in, skin-on thighs are a great option because they stay juicy and flavorful during slow cooking.

If you use skin-on chicken, will the skin be crispy?

No. Chicken skin will not become crispy in the slow cooker because the cooking environment is moist. If you want crispier skin, remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and place it under the oven broiler for a few minutes. This step is optional and should be watched carefully so the chicken does not burn.

What is ras el hanout?

Ras el hanout is a popular North African spice blend used to season meats, seafood, vegetables, stews, and more. The exact blend can vary, but it is usually warm, fragrant, and mildly spiced rather than hot. You can use a store-bought blend or make the homemade version included in the recipe card below.

Is this spicy?

No. This North African chicken recipe is not intended to be spicy. Ras el hanout is usually aromatic and warm rather than hot. If you prefer heat, add a little cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to taste.

Can you add vegetables?

Yes. Carrots and bell peppers are good additions if you want extra vegetables. Add them with the onion, garlic, chickpeas, and broth so they cook along with the chicken.

How do you serve this?

This crockpot North African chicken is delicious served with couscous, rice, or flatbread. The chickpeas and broth create a flavorful base that pairs well with simple sides.

How do you store leftovers?

Store leftover slow cooker North African chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently until warmed through.

What size slow cooker did you use?

A 6-quart slow cooker or a 6-quart Instant Pot works well for this recipe.

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