Moroccan Chicken Tagine
a flavorful dish that combines spices, fruits, and tender chicken in a traditional North
African style. It's great for a cozy dinner and is usually served with couscous or
flatbread.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken Tagine:
- 4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust based on heat preference)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup dried apricots, halved
- 1/2 cup green olives, pitted
- 1 preserved lemon, thinly sliced (optional but recommended for authentic flavor)
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped, for garnish
For Serving:
- Cooked couscous or flatbread
Instructions:
1. Brown the Chicken:
- Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a tagine pot or a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-
high heat.
- Add the chicken thighs, skin-side down, and cook until golden brown, about 5-6
minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.
2. Sauté the Aromatics:
- In the same pot, reduce the heat to medium. Add the sliced onion and cook
until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and cayenne
pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Simmer the Tagine:
- Return the chicken to the pot. Add the chicken broth and diced tomatoes with
their juice.
- Bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 25 minutes.
4. Add Fruits and Olives:
- Add the dried apricots, green olives, and slices of preserved lemon to the pot.
- Cover and continue to simmer for another 15 minutes, or until the chicken is
very tender.
5. Garnish and Serve:
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Sprinkle with chopped cilantro or parsley.
- Serve the tagine hot over a bed of couscous or with flatbread on the side.
This Moroccan Chicken Tagine is a celebration of flavors, perfect for a special
dinner or a comforting weekend meal. Enjoy the rich, aromatic experience of
traditional North African cooking right at your table!
