Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives: A Traditional Moroccan Recipe

Here’s a classic recipe for Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives, a staple of Moroccan cuisine, known for its vibrant flavors and aromatic spices.

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Ingredients:

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 1 whole chicken (cut into 8 pieces) or 1.5 kg chicken thighs/drumsticks
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Tagine:

• 2 medium onions (thinly sliced)
• 2 preserved lemons (quartered and seeds removed)
• 150 g green or purple olives
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup water or chicken stock
• Optional: a pinch of saffron threads (soaked in 2 tablespoons of warm water)

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Instructions:

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

1. In a large bowl, combine ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, paprika, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the chicken pieces and coat them thoroughly with the marinade.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight for best flavor).

Step 2: Cook the Tagine

1. Heat olive oil in a tagine pot (or a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven) over medium heat.
2. Arrange the onion slices as a bed in the base of the pot.
3. Place the marinated chicken pieces on top of the onions, skin-side up.
4. Add the preserved lemons and olives around the chicken.
5. Pour in the water or chicken stock. If using saffron, add the saffron-infused water.

Step 3: Simmer and Serve

1. Cover the tagine and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, checking occasionally to ensure it doesn’t dry out. Add a little water if needed.
2. Towards the end of cooking, sprinkle the cilantro and parsley over the chicken.
3. Serve hot, straight from the tagine, with warm bread or fluffy couscous on the side.

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Tips:

• If you don’t have a tagine pot, a Dutch oven or slow cooker works well.
• Adjust the salt depending on how salty your preserved lemons and olives are.
• For a richer flavor, toast the spices lightly in oil before marinating the chicken.

Enjoy your aromatic Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives! 🍋🍗