Moroccan-Inspired Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemons

|

Your foodie plans Team

by

If you’re looking to bring some vibrant flavors into your kitchen, a Moroccan-inspired chicken tagine with preserved lemons and olives is just what you need. This dish is aromatic, rich, and perfect for both beginners and experienced home cooks. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you’ll be serving up a restaurant-quality tagine in no time.

Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients

Chicken Marinade:

  • 4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs and breast
  • 2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • Salt to taste, take into account you are using salted (preserved) lemons
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Juice of 1 lemon

Tagine Base:

  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 preserved lemon, quartered
  • 1 cup green olives, pitted
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • Fresh parsley and cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

  1. Marinate the Chicken – In a bowl, combine turmeric, cumin, coriander, paprika, ground ginger, black pepper, and salt. Add olive oil, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Mix until it forms a paste.
  2. Massage the Chicken – Rub the marinade all over the chicken thighs. Make sure each piece is thoroughly coated for maximum flavor.
  3. Let it Marinate – Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes, but if you can spare 2 hours, that’s even better! Marinating helps the spices penetrate the meat, ensuring juicy and flavorful chicken.

Foodie tip: While your chicken marinates, you can prep your tagine base. Doing these steps in advance will make cooking the dish smoother and quicker.

Step 2: Sauté the Onions and Brown the Chicken

  1. Heat Your Tagine or Pan – Heat a heavy-bottomed tagine or Dutch oven over medium heat. If you don’t own a tagine, a Dutch oven will work perfectly for this dish.
  2. Sauté the Onions – Add a bit more olive oil to the pan. Toss in the sliced onions and cook until they soften and become translucent, around 5–7 minutes.
  3. Brown the Chicken – Once the onions are soft, push them to the side and place the marinated chicken in the tagine. Brown the chicken for a few minutes on each side to lock in the flavors and get a beautiful color.

Step 3: Add the Preserved Lemons and Olives

  1. Add Preserved Lemons – Quarter your preserved lemon and remove any seedsand pulp , just keep the skin . Place the skin lemon quarters around the chicken, distributing them evenly. The preserved lemons add a tangy, complex flavor to the tagine.
  2. Add Olives – Scatter the olives around the chicken and lemons. The olives bring a salty, savory element to the dish that complements the acidity of the preserved lemons.

Foodie fact: Preserved lemons are a Moroccan staple, and they bring out unique flavors that fresh lemons can’t quite achieve. If you haven’t tried them before, this dish is the perfect way to experience their tangy, umami-rich taste.

Step 4: Pour in the Broth and Simmer

  1. Add the Broth – Pour the chicken broth around the chicken, just enough to keep it moist as it cooks. The broth will absorb the flavors from the chicken, lemons, and olives, creating a deeply flavorful sauce.
  2. Bring to a Gentle Simmer – Cover the tagine and reduce the heat to low. Let it cook slowly for about 40–45 minutes, until the chicken is tender and easily pulls away from the bone.

Foodie tip: Cooking the chicken over low heat allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. This process creates the signature warmth and depth that makes Moroccan tagines so special.

Step 5: Finish and Garnish

  1. Check the Sauce – After 45 minutes, remove the lid and give the dish a gentle stir. If the sauce seems too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes uncovered to thicken.
  2. Add Fresh Herbs – Before serving, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and cilantro over the dish. The herbs add a fresh, vibrant contrast to the warm spices and make your tagine look beautifully colorful.

Serving Suggestions

Your chicken tagine with preserved lemons and olives is ready to enjoy! This dish pairs wonderfully with couscous, rice, or crusty bread to soak up every bit of the flavorful sauce. Serve it in the tagine or directly from the Dutch oven for a rustic, inviting presentation.

Tips for the Perfect Tagine

  1. Use Bone-In Chicken – Bone-in chicken adds extra flavor to the dish, as the bones release collagen into the sauce, making it more luxurious and silky.
  2. Experiment with Spices – Moroccan cuisine is known for its bold flavors, so don’t be afraid to add a bit more of your favorite spices if you want to customize your tagine.
  3. Get Creative with Add-Ons – For an extra layer of texture, add sliced bell peppers or diced carrots. These vegetables complement the tangy lemon and briny olives nicely.

Why Foodies Love Tagine

Tagine dishes offer an incredible mix of flavors, textures, and aromas that make them irresistible to any foodie. The long, slow cooking method allows the spices to infuse the chicken thoroughly, creating a depth of flavor that’s unmatched. Plus, the preserved lemons and olives are unique ingredients that give this dish its distinct Moroccan flair.

For foodies, Moroccan cuisine offers an exciting departure from everyday dishes, adding some adventure to the dinner table. This chicken tagine is the kind of meal that will turn an ordinary weeknight into something truly special. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, a partner, or friends, this dish will have everyone asking for seconds!