Description
Succulent mary berry chicken tagine celebrates Moroccan culinary traditions with aromatic spices and tender meat. Rich flavors blend seamlessly, offering you a delightful journey through North African cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (700 g) chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz/400 g) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (150 g) green olives, pitted
- ¼ cup (40 g) apricots, dried, chopped
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- salt and pepper, to taste
- fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish
- cooked couscous or rice, for serving
Instructions
- Sauté Base: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, introducing finely chopped onions and minced garlic until they become translucent and aromatic.
- Brown Chicken: Strategically place chicken pieces in the skillet, developing a golden-brown exterior on all sides while creating a flavorful foundation for the dish.
- Spice Infusion: Generously dust chicken with cumin, coriander, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and cayenne pepper, stirring to distribute the spices and awaken their complex flavor profile.
- Liquid Harmony: Incorporate diced tomatoes, green olives, dried apricots, and chicken broth, creating a rich, multilayered sauce that will transform the chicken during cooking.
- Simmering Transformation: Bring the mixture to a brief boil, then reduce heat to low, covering the skillet and allowing the tagine to gently simmer for 50-55 minutes until the chicken becomes supremely tender and fully infused with the intricate spice blend.
- Final Touch: Conduct a careful seasoning assessment, making subtle adjustments with salt, pepper, or additional spices to perfect the flavor profile.
- Presentation: Elegantly serve the aromatic chicken tagine atop fluffy couscous or steamed rice, garnishing with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley to add a vibrant, fresh dimension to the dish.
Notes
- Spice Selection Matters: Choose high-quality, fresh ground spices to ensure maximum flavor depth and authentic Moroccan taste profile.
- Browning Technique Crucial: Take time to properly brown chicken pieces, creating a rich golden exterior that locks in moisture and develops complex flavor layers.
- Liquid Balance Is Key: Maintain just enough simmering liquid to prevent scorching while allowing sauce to reduce and concentrate flavors naturally.
- Resting Period Recommended: Let the tagine rest 10-15 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld and chicken to absorb surrounding aromatics completely.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg