Moroccan Chicken & Lemon Tagine: A Flavorful & Traditional Recipe

​This Chicken and Lemon Tagine is a flavorful Moroccan dish made with tender chicken, preserved lemons, olives, and warm spices, all slow-cooked to perfection. The combination of savory, tangy, and aromatic flavors makes this dish truly special!

​Ingredients (Serves 4-6)

For the Chicken:

• 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (or 4-6 bone-in chicken thighs/drumsticks)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander (optional)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (optional, for extra warmth)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 preserved lemons, quartered (or zest of 1 fresh lemon + juice)
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth or water

For the Finishing Touch:

• ½ cup green or purple olives
• Juice of ½ a lemon
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Sauté the Chicken & Aromatics

• Heat olive oil in a tagine or a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
• Add onions and garlic, sauté until soft and golden.
• Add the chicken pieces, season with salt, pepper, ginger, turmeric, paprika, cumin, and coriander.
• Brown the chicken on all sides for 5-7 minutes.

2. Slow Cook the Tagine

• Stir in the preserved lemons and cinnamon stick.
• Pour in the chicken broth until the chicken is partially covered.
• Cover and simmer on low heat for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is tender.

3. Add the Olives & Lemon Juice

• Add the olives and fresh lemon juice in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
• Let the flavors meld together.

4. Garnish & Serve

• Sprinkle with fresh cilantro or parsley before serving.
• Serve hot with warm bread, couscous, or rice.

Serving Suggestions:
🥖 With Crusty Bread – Perfect for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
🫖 With Moroccan Mint Tea – Traditional and refreshing!

💡 Tip: If you don’t have preserved lemons, substitute with fresh lemon zest + juice but expect a slightly milder flavor.

Enjoy your Moroccan Chicken & Lemon Tagine! 🍽✨