Djaj mhammer

Djaj mhammer is chicken braised with spices such as ginger, paprika, cumin, turmeric and saffron; in one version by the television cook Choumicha it is then fried golden brown in butter and oil. Feasts of djaj mhammer are part of weddings in Morocco.

What it is

For her djaj mhammer with almonds, the Moroccan television cook Choumicha marinates a quartered chicken for an hour in olive oil with ginger, paprika, cumin, saffron, turmeric and salt. She then braises it with onions, garlic and a little water, fries the pieces golden brown in butter and oil and serves them with a sauce made from the crushed liver and with fried almonds.

In a second version Choumicha cooks the whole chicken with heart, gizzard and liver, preserved lemon, parsley, coriander and spices for about 45 minutes, until the sauce is short and syrupy.

How it is cooked

RecipeDjaj mhammer with almondsFrom the Moroccan television cook Choumicha · serves 4 RecipeDjaj mhammer with giblets and preserved lemonFrom the Moroccan television cook Choumicha · serves 4

When

According to the caterers’ association in Morocco, chicken is one of the main dishes that are hardly ever missing at weddings and celebrations; it names feasts of djaj mhammer in particular.

Where it comes from

At home throughout the country, with no place of origin named by a source.

When you come across it

Wedding

Goes with it

Food and drinkTagineA dish that shares its name with the lidded earthenware pot in which it is cooked and served. According to a study for WIPO and the Moroccan office OMPIC, chicken tagine with olives and preserved lemon is served at weddings, engagements and the feast that ends Ramadan.Food and drinkCouscousSemolina rolled by hand into small grains and cooked over steam, served with vegetables and meat according to the area, season and occasion. Since 2020 couscous has been on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage, as a joint entry of four countries of the Maghreb.

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Last checked on 30 Oct 2026. 3 sources, 0 of them primary (authority, UNESCO, operator).