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Msmen Filled with Chicken: Crispy Moroccan Flatbread Stuffed with Juicy Chicken and Melty Cheese Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 80 reviews

Msmen Filled with Chicken is a traditional Moroccan flatbread featuring crispy, flaky layers encasing a warm, aromatic spiced chicken and onion filling with melty cheese pockets. This richly flavored, golden-brown stuffed bread delivers a perfect balance of textures and spices, making it an indulgent yet comforting meal that’s perfect for gathering and sharing.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 3/4 cup warm water
  • 3 tablespoons sunflower oil (plus extra for greasing)

Chicken Filling

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 300 grams boneless, skinless chicken thighs, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ras el hanout
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley

Other

  • 100 grams melty cheese (such as Gouda, cheddar, or mozzarella), sliced
  • Extra sunflower oil for cooking

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Create a well in the center and pour in the honey and warm water. Mix to form a shaggy dough, then knead vigorously for 10 to 12 minutes until the dough is smooth, stretchy, and elastic.
  2. Add Oil and Rest: Pour the sunflower oil into the dough and knead for an additional minute to coat the gluten strands. Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes to relax the gluten and improve pliability.
  3. Prepare the Chicken Filling: Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the chopped chicken thighs, ras el hanout, turmeric, cayenne, garlic powder, and salt. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and juicy. Remove from heat and stir in dried parsley. Allow filling to cool completely to prevent sogginess when stuffing.
  4. Divide and Shape the Dough: Deflate the rested dough and divide into 9 equal portions (approximately 85 grams each). Roll each portion into a ball. Generously oil your hands and an oiled work surface, then gently flatten each dough ball. Cover and let them rest another 30 minutes to ensure they can be stretched very thin without resistance.
  5. Stretch and Cut the Dough: Working one piece at a time, oil your hands and work surface well. Stretch the dough into a thin, almost transparent rectangle about 38 x 33 cm. Use a pizza cutter to make four small cuts at the edges; these facilitate folding and crisp layers later.
  6. Stuff and Fold: Place a slice of cheese in the center of the stretched dough, top with a generous scoop of the cooled chicken filling. Fold the edges of the dough over the filling one section at a time, creating a neat, book-shaped parcel that fully encases the filling.
  7. Cook the Msmen: Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add a small amount of sunflower oil. Place the stuffed parcels seam side down and cook until golden brown and crispy on one side (about 3-4 minutes), then carefully flip and cook the other side until equally golden and crisp. Repeat with remaining parcels.

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs for juicier and more flavorful filling; chicken breast can be substituted but watch cooking time carefully to avoid dryness.
  • Make the dough up to a day ahead and refrigerate, then bring to room temperature before stretching for best results.
  • Choose any melty cheese such as Gouda, cheddar, or mozzarella to add gooey texture and richness inside the msmen.
  • Store leftovers wrapped tightly in foil or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze cooled cooked msmen layered with parchment paper in freezer bags for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
  • Reheat in a dry skillet or oven at 180°C to preserve crispiness; avoid microwaving as it will make the layers soggy.

Keywords: Msmen, Moroccan flatbread, chicken stuffed flatbread, flaky flatbread, stuffed chicken bread, Moroccan recipe, crispy flatbread

Find it online: https://lucabites.com/msmen-filled-with-chicken-crispy-moroccan-flatbread-stuffed-with-juicy-chicken-and-melty-cheese-recipe/