Moroccan Chicken Tagine Recipe – A Must-Try Dish!

Must Try Easy Moroccan Chicken Tagine Recipe.

The magic of Moroccan Chicken Tagine lies in its rich spices and slow-cooked tenderness. Inspired by a memorable meal in a hidden gem of a Moroccan restaurant in San Francisco, this recipe brings that unforgettable flavor to your kitchen.

Moroccan Tagine Chicken An Easy Recipe for a Traditional & Delicious Dish

Type of Cuisine:

Mediterranean

Prep Time: 30 minutes ( 2 hours for marinade).

Cook Time: 1 hour

How Many Servings?

8 servings

Table of Contents

Tips, Tricks & Suggestions
Ingredients
Preparation
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Experience Morocco’s rich, aromatic flavors with this easy chicken tagine recipe! This beloved dish, infused with warm spices and slow-cooked to perfection, is a true staple of Moroccan cuisine. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or new to Moroccan flavors, this simple recipe will transport you to the vibrant streets of Marrakech.

A Tagine isn’t just a pot—it’s a symbol of Moroccan cooking. Its unique clay design locks in moisture, creating an irresistible depth of flavor.

This dish’s heart is saffron, blending beautifully with paprika, cumin, turmeric, coriander, ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper.

If you love tagine recipes, be sure to check out my delicious Lamb Tagine recipe for another Moroccan classic!

Join me as we uncover the secrets of tagine cooking and bring the magic of Moroccan spices into your kitchen!

Ingredients you Need for The Chicken Tagine Recipe:

Saffron: Brings a luxurious and floral note, soaked in crushed ice to release its vibrant color and essence.
Chicken: Eight pieces, offering a succulent and versatile protein base for the tagine.
Garlic: Adds a robust, savory flavor to enhance the overall taste profile.
Ginger Powder: Infuses warmth and depth into the dish.
Cumin: Offers a nutty and earthy undertone, complementing the other spices.
White Pepper: Provides a mild heat, allowing the flavors to meld harmoniously.
Turmeric: Adds a golden hue and a warm, slightly bitter taste.
Preserved Lemon: The pulp is chopped, and the skin is saved, contributing a unique tanginess.
Italian Parsley and Cilantro: Chopped for a fresh, herbal aroma and taste.
Onions: Thinly sliced for sweetness and a caramelized texture.
Tomato: Diced to bring a juicy and acidic element to the tagine.
Potato: Cut lengthwise into eight pieces, offering a hearty and starchy component.
Carrots: Peeled and cut lengthwise into eight pieces, adding sweetness and vibrant color.
Green Zucchini: Cut lengthwise into eight pieces, contributing a mild, tender texture to the dish.

This combination of spices and ingredients creates a rich and layered flavor profile, showcasing the essence of a traditional and delicious chicken tagine. Adjusting the cooking time allows for the perfect blend of textures and tastes in every bite.

Tips for Perfect Chicken Tagine:

Prepare Your Tagine: If your Tagine is new, soak it for 24 hours and dry it in a preheated oven at 275°F for 30 minutes. This step prevents cracking. When using it on the stovetop, employ a heat diffuser to avoid damage.
Caution with Salt: Exercise caution with salt, especially if using preserved lemons, which can add saltiness.
Mind the Liquid: Adding more than ½ cup of liquid may cause bubbling. Check every 15 minutes to ensure the bottom isn’t dry, adding ¼ cup at a time.
Chicken Cutting: Cut the chicken into smaller pieces for easier fitting inside the Tagine.
Cooking Chicken Tagine Without a Tagine Pot: If a traditional Tagine pot is unavailable, use any large, deep pot with a tight-fitting lid. Seal the lid to preserve flavors; if a lid is absent, cover the pot with aluminum foil.
Substitute for Preserved Lemons: Preserved lemons offer a distinct flavor, but alternatives work well—Fresh Lemon Juice: Imparts citrusy tartness and sharpness.
Dried Fruits (e.g., apricots or dates): Adds natural sweetness and depth to complement the chicken tagine.

What to Serve Alongside Your Chicken Tagine

While the chicken tagine is delightful, enhancing it with well-paired side dishes can elevate your dining experience.

Tunisian Couscous: Fluffy and easy to prepare, Tunisian couscous offers texture and variety, complementing the flavors of your chicken Tagine.
Vermicelli Rice: Infused with aromatic spices and vermicelli noodles, this rice dish is an excellent companion to the rich flavors of your Tagine.
Yogurt Salad: A refreshing yogurt salad balances the richness of the chicken Tagine with its creamy and tangy notes.
Yemeni Rice Recipe: With its unique blend of spices and aromatics, Yemeni rice adds depth and complexity, making it a perfect complement to your Tagine.
Flatbread: Serving warm and fluffy flatbread, like Moroccan khubz or pita, allows you to savor every drop of the Tagine’s juices and sauce, providing a satisfying accompaniment.
Mint Tea: Conclude your meal with traditional Moroccan mint tea. Its refreshing and aromatic qualities harmonize beautifully with the rich and flavorful chicken Tagine, leaving you with a delightful culinary memory.

How to Make Moroccan Chicken Tagine Recipe – A Must-Try Dish!

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Preparation

Start by making saffron water. Place a few saffron threads into five large ice cubes and let them melt naturally—this process takes about 15 minutes and yields approximately 2 oz of saffron-infused water.

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In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, ground ginger, cumin, turmeric, white pepper, chopped preserved lemon pulp, Italian parsley, and cilantro. Add the saffron water along with any remaining saffron threads, and whisk well to combine.

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Place the cleaned chicken pieces in a medium-sized bowl and pour the marinade over them, ensuring they are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 12 hours. When ready to cook, take the chicken out of the fridge an hour beforehand to reach room temperature.

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Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add a few chicken pieces and sear on one side until browned. Flip and sear the other side, then transfer to a platter. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.

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In the same pan, heat two tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until caramelized, about 8 minutes. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes. Transfer the onions to the bottom of the tagine, then arrange the chicken pieces around the inside rim, leaving space to close the lid.

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Arrange the vegetables in a dome shape, rotating each one around. Pour ½ cup of water into the bottom of the tagine and close the lid. Cook on the stovetop with a heat diffuser on high for the first 10 minutes to release the juices. Then, reduce to medium-low and cook for another 50 minutes or until the chicken and vegetables are tender. Enjoy!

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In the last 15 minutes, open the lid and spoon some of the juices over the vegetables. Your delicious Moroccan Chicken Tagine will be ready to enjoy immediately!

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Reviews

Moroccan Chicken Tagine Recipe – A Must-Try Dish!

Rana Madanat

February 28, 2023

Making Moroccan chicken tagine is simpler than it seems, and it brings the flavors of Morocco to your table. Don’t fret if you lack a tagine—just use a large pot with a lid. Give it a try and let us know how it turns out!

Type of Cuisine:

Mediterranean

Prep Time: 30 minutes ( 2 hours for marinade).

Cook Time: 1 hour

How Many Servings?

8 servings

Ingredients:

1X 2X 3X

Adjust Servings

	1 teaspoon crushed saffron (soaked in 2 oz of crushed iced and melted)
	1 chicken (cut up into eight pieces, cleaned, and pat dry)
	3 cloves minced garlic
	½ teaspoon ground Ginger powder
	½ teaspoon cumin
	½ teaspoon white pepper
	1 teaspoon turmeric
	1 preserved lemon pulp is separated and chopped. Skin saved on the side
	¼ cup chopped Italian parsley
	2 tablespoons cilantro (chopped)
	2 medium size onions (sliced thin)
	1 large tomato (diced)
	1 potato (cut lengthwise into eight pieces total)
	2 carrots (peeled and cut lengthwise to a total of eight pieces)
	1 green zucchini (cut in lengthwise and then cut again into eight pieces)
	½ cup water or broth

Preparation

In the last 15 minutes, open the lid and spoon some of the juices over the vegetables. Your delicious Moroccan Chicken Tagine will be ready to enjoy immediately!

Recipe Tips & Suggestions

How to prepare you tagine pot for the first time.

If you haven't used your Tagine before, prepare it for cooking by soaking it for 24 hours and then drying it in an oven preheated to 275 F for 30 minutes. Be sure to follow this step to prevent the clay pot from cracking. Additionally, if you cook on the stovetop, use a heat diffuser to avoid damage.

Rana’s Notes!

Storing: Once you have finished serving your chicken tagine, allow it to cool down to room temperature before storing it in an airtight container. Place the container in the refrigerator and store it for up to 3-4 days

Reheating: To reheat the chicken tagine, gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally until it is heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave, but be sure to cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap and stir the tagine every minute to ensure even heating

Adding moisture: If you find that your chicken tagine has become dry after reheating, you can add a little bit of water or chicken broth to the pot and stir it in. This will help to restore some of the moisture and flavor to the dish.

Avoid overcooking: Be careful not to overcook the tagine when reheating it, as this can cause the chicken to become tough and dry. It's better to reheat it slowly and gently until it's just heated through.

Nutrition Information

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.