There's something special about this traditional Moroccan Chicken Tagine that makes my kitchen smell amazing before dinner is ready. The chicken is marinated with Moroccan spices and perfectly served with Moroccan bread.
When to Serve Chicken Tagine?
Chicken tagine is the kind of dish you can enjoy for a simple family dinner or when you have guests over. In Moroccan homes, it can be served during weekend family meals, Ramadan, Eid, and other special gatherings. With tender chicken, preserved lemon, green olives, and warm spices, it feels a little more special than an everyday meal, but it’s still simple and comforting enough to make at home.
Ingredients
- Bone-in chicken thighs or legs
- Large onion, finely sliced
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Olive oil
- Tagine
- Turmeric
- Ground ginger
- Cumin
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Paprika
- Saffron threads, optional
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Water
- Preserved lemon
- Green olives
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Season the chicken: Pat chicken dry, then toss with turmeric, ginger, cumin, garlic, pepper, salt, paprika, cilantro, parsley, saffron, and olive oil.
- Step 2: Cook the chicken: Sauté half the onions in a tagine or heavy pot for 5 minutes. Add the chicken and remaining onions, then pour in the water. Cover and simmer for 45–60 minutes.
- Step 3: Add lemon and olives: Remove the preserved lemon pulp and slice the rind. Add it with the olives and cook uncovered for 10–15 minutes until the sauce reduces.
- Step 4: Serve: Adjust the seasoning, garnish with fresh herbs or French fries, and serve hot with Moroccan bread.
Recipe Variations
- Chicken Breast Tagine: Swap the bone-in chicken thighs or legs for boneless chicken breasts. Since breast meat cooks faster, reduce the simmering time and check for doneness early to keep the chicken tender.
- Chicken Tagine with Apricots: Add ½ cup dried apricots during the last 15 minutes of cooking. The natural sweetness of the apricots pairs nicely with the Moroccan spices and preserved lemon.
- Spicy Chicken Tagine: Add 1–2 teaspoons of harissa or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mixture for a little extra heat.
- Vegetable Chicken Tagine: Add vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, or zucchini along with the chicken. They will soak up the flavorful sauce as everything cooks together.
- Extra-Lemony Tagine: For a stronger citrus flavor, add a little more preserved lemon rind when adding the olives. Start with a small amount since preserved lemons can be quite salty.
Helpful Tools
For an authentic cooking experience, you can prepare this dish in a tagine. A heavy-bottomed pot also works if you don't have one.
- Olive oil: A good-quality olive oil adds richness to the chicken and helps bring out the flavors of the Moroccan spices.
- Tagine: A traditional tagine is ideal for slowly cooking the chicken and letting all the flavors come together.
