Moroccan Chicken Tagine With Potatoes and Olives Recipe
The Moroccan Chicken Tagine With Potatoes, Olives, and Preserved Lemon Recipe is a treasured dish that holds a special place in Moroccan cuisine. This classic recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of Morocco’s rich culinary heritage, bringing together simple ingredients to create a dish bursting with flavor and character. Whether it’s served during a festive occasion or as part of a comforting family dinner, this tagine is loved across the country for its bold flavors, satisfying textures, and the way it brings people together around the table.
Cooking a tagine is as much about the process as it is about the final dish. Traditionally prepared in a cone-shaped clay pot called a tagine, the dish cooks slowly, allowing the ingredients to meld into a harmonious blend of flavors. However, even if you don’t have a tagine pot, you can easily prepare this recipe in a standard pot with equally delicious results. This versatility makes the dish accessible to cooks of all levels.
What makes the Moroccan Chicken Tagine With Potatoes, Olives, and Preserved Lemon Recipe truly stand out is its unique combination of ingredients and techniques. The chicken is sautéed with garlic, turmeric, and black pepper to develop a deep, aromatic base. Fresh parsley adds a touch of herbaceous brightness, while preserved lemon—a hallmark of Moroccan cooking—provides a tangy, citrusy depth that elevates the entire dish. Potatoes absorb the rich broth, turning tender and flavorful, while green olives add a briny contrast that ties everything together.
This dish is proof that simple ingredients can create extraordinary results. The recipe calls for ingredients that are both common and essential in Moroccan cooking, such as:
- Chicken
- Garlic
- Turmeric
- Salt and black pepper
- Fresh parsley
- Preserved lemon
- Potatoes
- Green olives
- Vegetable oil
The result is a dish that is both hearty and vibrant, making it perfect for serving with bread, couscous, or rice. Its straightforward preparation and flavorful outcome have made it a household favorite in Morocco and an inviting introduction to Moroccan cuisine for cooks around the world.
Whether you’re preparing this dish for the first time or returning to a beloved classic, the Moroccan Chicken Tagine With Potatoes, Olives, and Preserved Lemon Recipe promises to transport your taste buds to the sun-drenched markets and bustling kitchens of Morocco.
Moroccan Chicken Tagine With Potatoes and Olives Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 lbs), cut into pieces frozen or fresh
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 preserved lemon
- 3 garlic cloves thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1/4 cup green olives
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- In a traditional tagine or a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add the chicken, garlic, and spices and saute them for 2 to 3 minutes until the chicken turns white.
- Stir in the parsley, preserved lemon and water.
- Put on the lid and cook for 20 minutes over low heat until the chicken is almost done.
- Stir in the potatoes and cook for another 20 minute until the potatoes are almost done.
- Stir in the olives and remove the lid. Let them cook for 5 to 10 minutes over low heat until the water reduces and you get a slightly thick sauce.
- Serve it hot with some Moroccan bread and enjoy!