Slow-Braised Lamb Shanks with Moroccan Spices and Chickpeas
Tender lamb shanks slowly braised in a fragrant Moroccan spice blend served atop a bed of hearty chickpeas. This mediterranean-inspired lamb ready in about 200 minutes pairs about 1.5 lbs each lamb shanks, olive oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces, about 1.5 lbs each lamb shanks
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced onion
- 5 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 14 oz can canned diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1.5 cups cooked chickpeas
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- for serving lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Pat dry 4 lamb shanks and sear them for 4 minutes per side until deeply browned; transfer to a plate.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium, add 1 large diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add 5 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, and 1 tsp smoked paprika; cook while stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes and 2 cups chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Return the lamb shanks to the pot; bring to a simmer, cover tightly, and transfer to the oven to braise for 2 1/2 to 3 hours until lamb is fork-tender.
- Step 4: Remove lamb shanks and stir 1.5 cups cooked chickpeas into the sauce. Simmer uncovered on the stovetop over medium heat for 10 minutes until sauce thickens and chickpeas are heated through.
- Step 5: Season sauce with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Return lamb to the pot to warm for 5 minutes.
- Step 6: Serve lamb shanks over chickpeas, garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and lemon wedges on the side for squeezing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Braised Lamb Shanks with Moroccan Spices and Chickpeas take to make?
Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow-Braised Lamb Shanks with Moroccan Spices and Chickpeas?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Braised Lamb Shanks with Moroccan Spices and Chickpeas?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow-Braised Lamb Shanks with Moroccan Spices and Chickpeas for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Slow-Braised Lamb Shanks with Moroccan Spices and Chickpeas?
Mediterranean lamb like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
