Morocco | Main dish

Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemons & Olives

A fragrant Moroccan slow-cooked chicken stew with golden preserved lemons and briny olives, perfumed with saffron, ginger, and fresh cilantro.

Country
Morocco
Region
North Africa
Time
105 min
Serves
6
Level
medium
Recipe overview

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The tagine is both a cooking vessel and the dish itself, central to Moroccan culinary identity for centuries. This particular combination of preserved lemons and olives is considered the quintessential Moroccan tagine, served at family lunches across the kingdom from Fez to Marrakech. The conical lid traps steam and returns it to the dish, creating tender meat in a concentrated sauce.

What the dish tastes like

A fragrant Moroccan slow-cooked chicken stew with golden preserved lemons and briny olives, perfumed with saffron, ginger, and fresh cilantro.

When to cook it

Best for Friday family lunch, with a medium cooking level and about 105 minutes total.

What to serve alongside it

Fluffy couscous or crusty Moroccan bread (khobz)

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Servings: 6

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How to cook it

Step-by-step instructions

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1
Marinate the chicken
Rub the chicken pieces with garlic, ginger, saffron water, salt, and pepper. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge.
Overnight marinating gives the deepest flavour.
Marinate 30:00
2
Build the base
Place the grated onions in the bottom of a tagine or heavy-bottomed pot. Arrange the chicken on top and pour over any remaining marinade. Add 1 cup of water.
3
Slow cook
Cover and cook over medium-low heat for about 60 minutes, turning the chicken once halfway through, until the meat is very tender and the sauce has reduced.
Keep the heat low to prevent burning — the onions should melt into the sauce.
Slow cook chicken 60:00
4
Add lemons and olives
Add the preserved lemon rinds and olives to the tagine. Cook uncovered for another 15 minutes to let the sauce thicken and the flavours meld.
Finish tagine 15:00
5
Garnish and serve
Arrange the chicken on a serving platter, spoon the sauce over the top, and garnish generously with fresh cilantro. Serve with couscous or bread.
Present in the tagine pot for an authentic table centrepiece.

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