Quick & Yummy Jamie Oliver Apricots Chicken Tagine Recipe

Succulent apricots chicken tagine unleashes a flavor explosion that dances across your plate with North African flair.

Moroccan spices weave magic through tender meat, creating an irresistible culinary narrative.

Cinnamon and ginger whisper ancient cooking secrets, transforming ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Vibrant herbs and sweet-tangy apricots craft a symphony of tastes that transport you beyond traditional kitchen boundaries.

Slow-cooked techniques infuse each bite with depth and richness rarely experienced in everyday dining.

Fragrant aromatics promise a sensory adventure that will make your taste buds sing with pure delight.

You’ll fall in love with this soul-warming dish that celebrates tradition and creativity in every mouthful.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 490 kcal

Servings: 4

Jamie Oliver Apricots Chicken Tagine: Ingredients

• Ground Cinnamon: Choose fresh, fragrant cinnamon for a warm, deep flavor.
• Ground Ginger: Look for vibrant, aromatic ginger powder to enhance the marinade's complexity.
• Turmeric: Select bright yellow, high-quality turmeric for rich color and earthy notes.
• Black Pepper: Opt for freshly ground pepper to maximize its zesty punch.
• Salt: Use fine sea salt for even distribution and balanced seasoning.
• Olive Oil: Pick extra virgin olive oil for a smooth, fruity undertone.

• Onions: Select sweet, firm onions that caramelize beautifully.
• Garlic: Choose plump, firm garlic cloves with no green sprouts.
• Fresh Cilantro, Fresh Parsley: Pick bright green herbs with crisp leaves and no wilting.

• Honey: Choose raw, local honey for a pure, natural sweetness.
• Dried Apricots: Select plump, vibrant orange apricots without added sugars.
• Whole Cinnamon Stick: Use high-quality Ceylon cinnamon for delicate flavor.
• Sliced Almonds: Pick raw, unsalted almonds for maximum crunch and nuttiness.
• Butter: Select unsalted, high-quality butter for rich, smooth undertones.

Tools for Cooking Chicken Tagine

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining spices and coating chicken evenly.
• Tagine or large skillet: Ideal for browning chicken and simmering the dish.
• Kitchen twine: Helps bundle fresh herbs neatly.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for chopping onions and garlic.
• Sharp knife: Essential for precise ingredient preparation.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and turning chicken.
• Small saucepan: Used for creating the apricot glaze.
• Small skillet: Perfect for toasting almonds to golden perfection.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure spices and salt.
• Plate: Useful for setting aside browned chicken.

Jamie Oliver’s Method for Apricot Chicken Tagine

• Craft Spicy Flavor Base

Blend aromatic spices with olive oil to create a robust marinade. Massage the mixture thoroughly into chicken pieces, ensuring each surface absorbs the rich seasoning.

• Sear and Develop Color

Warm butter and olive oil in a deep cooking pan. Brown chicken pieces on both sides, creating a golden exterior that locks in delicious flavors. Transfer meat to a separate plate.

• Build Aromatic Foundation

Caramelize onions in the same pan until they become soft and translucent. Add garlic and continue cooking to develop a deep, complex taste profile that will elevate the entire dish.

• Create Fragrant Liquid Environment

Bundle fresh herbs together and nestle them into the pan with chicken. Pour liquid and allow everything to simmer gently, letting flavors meld and chicken become tender and succulent.

• Transform Fruit into Luxurious Glaze

Combine honey, dried apricots, and a whole cinnamon stick in a separate pan. Reduce the mixture until it becomes a glossy, concentrated sauce that will add sweet complexity to the final dish.

• Finish and Elevate

Lightly toast almond slices until they turn golden and release their nutty aroma. Drizzle the apricot glaze over the chicken during the final cooking moments. Scatter toasted almonds on top to add delightful crunch and visual appeal.

Adjusting Sweetness and Spice Levels

• Preserve Moisture Magic: Marinate chicken for at least 2 hours or overnight to enhance flavor penetration and ensure tender, juicy meat that falls off the bone.
• Swap Protein Possibilities: Replace chicken with lamb, beef, or tofu for a delightful twist that keeps the recipe exciting and adaptable to different dietary preferences.
• Customize Spice Intensity: Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing ground ginger and black pepper to match your personal heat tolerance and flavor profile.
• Elevate Presentation Technique: Garnish with fresh herb sprigs, extra toasted almonds, and a drizzle of additional apricot glaze to create a restaurant-worthy visual appeal that impresses dinner guests.

Serving Apricot Chicken Tagine the Right Way

• Serve Over Fluffy Couscous: Create a bed of light, fluffy couscous to catch the delicious sauce and chicken juices, adding extra texture and flavor to each bite.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro or parsley on top just before serving to bring brightness and a pop of color to the dish.
• Pair with Cooling Yogurt Sauce: Prepare a simple yogurt sauce with Greek yogurt, lemon zest, and a pinch of salt to balance the warm spices and provide a creamy contrast.
• Accompany with Moroccan Bread: Serve alongside warm, soft flatbread or traditional Moroccan khobz to soak up the flavorful sauce and complete the authentic dining experience.

Tips for Keeping Chicken Tagine Fresh

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover Moroccan chicken in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps perfectly fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Seal completely cooled chicken in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Maintains best quality for up to 3 months when properly wrapped.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated chicken in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Marinate chicken overnight in the refrigerator for deeper flavor development. Chop aromatics and measure spices in advance to streamline cooking process and reduce day-of preparation time.

Mouthwatering Jamie Oliver Apricots Chicken Tagine Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Moroccan chicken tagine with apricots blends aromatic spices from North African cuisine. Tender chicken, sweet apricots, and warming spices create a delightful meal you’ll savor with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 (3 lbs or 1.36 kg) chicken, cut into 6 pieces
• 3 tbsps plus ¼ cup olive oil
• ½ cup dried apricots, separated into halves
• 1 medium red onion, halved, then sliced ¼ inch thick
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• ⅓ cup whole blanched almonds
• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 5 sprigs fresh cilantro
• 5 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 ¼ tsp salt
• 2 tbsps mild honey

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Instructions

1. Spice Preparation: Create a vibrant spice blend by mixing ground cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, and salt with olive oil. Massage the aromatic mixture thoroughly into each chicken piece, ensuring complete and uniform coating.
2. Searing Chicken: Heat butter and oil in a tagine or large skillet over medium-high temperature. Brown chicken pieces until golden, approximately 4-6 minutes per side, then transfer to a holding plate.
3. Aromatic Base: In the same cooking vessel, sauté diced onions until translucent and soft. Add minced garlic and continue cooking, developing a rich, fragrant foundation for the dish.
4. Simmering Process: Tie cilantro and parsley stems together. Return chicken to the tagine, add water, and the herb bundle. Cover and simmer gently, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to become tender.
5. Glaze Development: Simultaneously prepare a luxurious glaze by combining honey, water, cinnamon stick, and dried apricots in a separate saucepan. Reduce until syrupy. Toast sliced almonds in a small skillet until golden and aromatic.
6. Final Touches: Introduce the apricot glaze into the tagine during the final cooking stage. Once chicken reaches perfect tenderness, remove herb bundle. Garnish with toasted almonds and serve immediately, presenting a vibrant, fragrant Moroccan-inspired dish.

Notes

• Spice Massage Technique: Thoroughly rub the spice blend into each chicken piece to ensure maximum flavor penetration and even coating.
• Searing Secret: Brown chicken carefully on medium-high heat to develop a rich, golden exterior that locks in moisture and creates depth of flavor.
• Herb Bundle Trick: Tying cilantro and parsley stems together allows for easy removal and prevents stringy herbs in the final dish while infusing intense aromatics.
• Glaze Perfection: Reduce the honey-apricot mixture slowly to create a syrupy consistency that will beautifully coat the chicken and add a luxurious sweet-tangy dimension to the tagine.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: UK

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 855 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg