Making a delicious Moroccan tagine (or tajine) is all about slow cooking, aromatic spices, and balancing sweet and savory flavors. Here’s a classic chicken tagine with preserved lemons and olives, but you can adapt it with lamb, beef, or vegetables.
Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon & Olives
(Serves 4-6)
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (cut into pieces) or 4-6 chicken thighs/drumsticks
- 2 onions (finely chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 preserved lemon (rind only, rinsed & sliced)
- 1 cup green olives (pitted, rinsed)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp saffron threads (soaked in 2 tbsp warm water)
- 1 cup chicken stock (or water)
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro & parsley (chopped)
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 tbsp honey (for sweetness)
- Optional: Handful of raisins or apricots (for a sweet touch)
Instructions:
- Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix chicken with olive oil, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, saffron water, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate for 30 mins (or overnight for deeper flavor).
- Sauté Onions
- In a tagine pot (or heavy-bottomed pot/Dutch oven), heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add onions and cook until soft (5 mins).
- Brown the Chicken
- Add chicken pieces (skin-side down) and sear until golden (3-4 mins per side).
- Simmer with Stock
- Pour in chicken stock (or water), cover, and simmer on low heat for 40-50 mins (until chicken is tender).
- Add Preserved Lemon & Olives
- Stir in preserved lemon, olives, and honey (if using). Simmer uncovered for 10 more mins.
- Garnish & Serve
- Sprinkle with fresh cilantro/parsley.
- Serve hot with Moroccan bread or couscous.
Tips for the Best Tagine:
✔ Low & Slow Cooking – Keeps the meat tender.
✔ Use a Traditional Tagine Pot – If you have one, it enhances flavor. Otherwise, a Dutch oven works.
✔ Balance Sweet & Savory – Adjust honey, olives, and preserved lemon to taste.
✔ Vegetarian Option – Replace meat with chickpeas, carrots, zucchini, and squash.
Would you like a lamb tagine or vegetable tagine variation? Let me know! 😊