🌍 Country of Origin:
Morocco – Tagine is both the name of the dish and the traditional clay pot it’s cooked in. It represents North African slow-cooking at its finest, combining meat, fruit, and spices in perfect harmony.
🍗 What is Chicken Tagine?
Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Apricots and Almonds is a slow-cooked stew featuring chicken thighs, dried fruits, and warm Moroccan spices, simmered together until the meat is tender and the sauce is rich and fragrant. It’s sweet, savory, spiced, and uniquely satisfying.
🧂 Ingredients (Serves 4):
For the tagine:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion (sliced thin)
2 garlic cloves (minced)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup chicken broth or water
1 cup dried apricots (cut in halves)
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup whole blanched almonds (lightly toasted)
Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish
Optional: pinch of saffron threads
For serving:
🔪 How to Make Chicken Tagine – Step-by-Step
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
Season chicken with salt and pepper. Sear the chicken thighs until golden on both sides (about 4 minutes each side). Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Build the Flavor
Stir in garlic, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, cumin, and paprika. Cook for 1–2 minutes to bloom the spices.
Step 3: Simmer the Tagine
Add apricots, honey, and saffron (if using).
Cover and simmer on low heat for 40–50 minutes, or until the chicken is very tender and the sauce is reduced and fragrant.
Step 4: Add the Almonds
Let them soften slightly in the sauce while still keeping a bit of crunch.
🥄 Serving Suggestions
Serve your Chicken Tagine hot with:
A side of Moroccan bread (khobz) or pita
Fresh mint tea to complete the experience
Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro and a few extra almonds for crunch.
📖 Cultural Insight
Tagine is more than a dish—it’s a symbol of Moroccan hospitality and tradition. Each region (and family) has its own version: some use lamb with prunes, others add preserved lemons and olives. The use of dried fruits like apricots brings a unique Moroccan sweetness that defines this dish.
📝 Final Thoughts
Moroccan Chicken Tagine is aromatic, deeply flavorful, and visually stunning—a fantastic way to introduce your readers to North African cuisine. It’s ideal for slow dinners, cozy weekends, or to impress guests with something exotic and elegant.
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