Description
Msmen Filled with Chicken is a beautifully layered Moroccan flatbread stuffed with a flavorful spiced chicken filling. The dough is soft and stretchy, layered with sunflower oil to achieve a crispy, flaky exterior while the filling boasts a warm blend of ras el hanout, turmeric, and cayenne with juicy chicken thighs and melty cheese. This recipe promises a delightful balance of textures and spices, perfect as a comforting meal or snack.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 cup water (approximate, adjust as needed)
- 3 tbsp sunflower oil (plus extra for greasing)
Filling Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 400g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, finely chopped
- 1 tsp ras el hanout
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne powder (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt (for filling)
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- 100g cheese slices (melty cheese, e.g., mozzarella or a mild melting cheese)
- Extra sunflower oil for cooking and greasing
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Create a well in the center and add the honey and water. Mix until a shaggy dough forms, then knead by hand for 10-12 minutes to develop a soft, stretchy dough that will yield flaky layers.
- Add Oil and Rest: Pour the sunflower oil into the dough and knead it in for an additional minute to coat the gluten strands. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes to relax the gluten for easier shaping later.
- Cook the Chicken Filling: Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Sauté the chopped yellow onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add the chopped chicken thighs along with ras el hanout, turmeric, cayenne, garlic powder, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 6-7 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and juicy. Stir in dried parsley, then turn off the heat and allow the filling to cool completely.
- Divide and Shape the Dough: Deflate the rested dough and divide it into 9 equal portions, approximately 85 grams each. Roll each into a ball, grease your hands, and flatten each on an oiled work surface. Cover and let rest for another 30 minutes to enable easy stretching.
- Stretch and Prepare the Dough: Working one piece at a time, oil your hands and work surface. Gently stretch the dough ball into a thin rectangle about 38 x 33 cm, almost see-through. Use a pizza cutter to make four small cuts at the edges to help folding.
- Stuff and Fold the Parcels: Place a slice of cheese in the center of the stretched dough, then add a generous amount of cooled chicken filling on top. Fold the edges over one section at a time from left to right, creating a neat, book-shaped packet filled with delicious ingredients.
- Cook to Crispy Perfection: Place the filled msmen packets on parchment paper and heat a frying pan over medium heat with a little sunflower oil. Cook each packet, turning carefully, until both sides are golden brown and crispy. Patience here ensures a crunchy, flavorful exterior.
Notes
- Resting the dough is crucial for elasticity and easy stretching without tearing.
- Cooling the chicken filling before assembling helps prevent soggy dough and keeps pockets crisp.
- Adjust cayenne pepper according to your preferred spice level.
- Use a mild melty cheese like mozzarella to complement the spiced chicken without overpowering.
- If dough sticks while stretching, add more sunflower oil to hands and surface liberally.
- Cook over medium heat to allow the flatbread to crisp and cook thoroughly without burning.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Moroccan
