Slow-Cooked Chicken with Freekeh and Toasted Almonds

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs braised with fragrant spices and served over nutty freekeh grain topped with crunchy toasted almonds. This lebanese-inspired chicken ready in about 75 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, large, sliced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 60 min Serves 4 Lebanese cuisine 450 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Season 6 bone-in chicken thighs with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Brown chicken thighs for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 large sliced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground allspice, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1 tsp ground coriander, cooking for 1 minute to release aromas.
  4. Step 4: Return the chicken thighs to the pot and pour in 2 cups chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook gently for 45 minutes until chicken is tender.
  5. Step 5: Meanwhile, rinse 1 cup freekeh under cold water and cook according to package instructions, usually simmering in water for about 20 minutes until tender but chewy. Drain any excess water.
  6. Step 6: Fluff cooked freekeh with a fork and stir in 1/3 cup chopped toasted almonds and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
  7. Step 7: Serve the braised chicken thighs over the freekeh mixture, spooning some of the cooking broth over the top for moisture.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow-Cooked Chicken with Freekeh and Toasted Almonds take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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-Cooked Chicken with Freekeh and Toasted Almonds?

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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Chicken with Freekeh and Toasted Almonds?

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-Cooked Chicken with Freekeh and Toasted Almonds 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-Cooked Chicken with Freekeh and Toasted Almonds?

Lebanese chicken 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.

Related recipes