Chicken Tagine with Olives 🇲🇦
A Traditional Moroccan Comfort Dish
Transport your tastebuds straight to Morocco with this warm, aromatic Chicken Tagine with Olives and Preserved Lemon!
Tender chicken thighs simmer slowly with spices, onions, briny olives, and the bright tang of preserved lemon — creating a dish that’s simple, soulful, and bursting with bold Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on preferred
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (plus more for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- Olive oil, to taste
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 160g red olives (or green olives if preferred)
- 1 preserved lemon, quartered (or substitute fresh lemon slices if needed)
Instructions:
1. Sear the Chicken and Aromatics
In a large pot, Dutch oven, or traditional tagine over medium heat, drizzle in some olive oil.
Add the chopped onions, chicken thighs, ginger, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
Mix everything well and sauté for about 10 minutes, stirring continuously, until the chicken is beautifully browned and the onions start to soften.
2. Simmer Gently
Pour in enough water to just cover the chicken pieces.
Lower the heat to a gentle simmer, cover with a lid, and let it cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure nothing sticks.
3. Add Olives and Lemon
After 30 minutes, scatter in the olives and preserved lemon pieces.
Cover again and let the tagine simmer for another 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to deeply infuse and the sauce to reduce slightly.
4. Serve and Enjoy!
Transfer the chicken and its golden sauce to a serving platter.
Garnish with extra chopped parsley if desired.
Serve hot with warm Moroccan bread (khobz) or fluffy couscous to soak up all that delicious sauce!
Tips for the Best Chicken Tagine:
- Preserved lemon is traditional and brings a unique tangy-salty flavor, but fresh lemon slices will also add brightness if needed.
- Tagine cookware helps retain moisture and flavor, but a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot works perfectly too.
- Adjust the amount of water depending on how saucy you like your tagine — more for spooning over couscous, less for a thicker glaze.
A Taste of Morocco at Home!
With its sunny spices and tender chicken, this dish is perfect for cozy family dinners or impressing guests with authentic Moroccan flavor.
