🍋 What Is Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon & Olives?
Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon & Olives is a signature Moroccan slow-cooked stew named after the traditional clay pot (tagine) it’s prepared in. The dish blends savory chicken, the delightful tang of preserved lemons, and briny olives with warm Moroccan spices — creating an unforgettable balance of flavors. upsicast.com
This recipe is one of our favourite lunch plate! sooo delicious that we can prepare it everyday and served with mint tea and of course a moroccan salade, om my yummy how dilicious it would be.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)
✔️ 1 whole chicken (cut into pieces)
✔️ 2 preserved lemons (rinsed & quartered)
✔️ 1 cup green olives (pitted)
✔️ 2 large onions (thinly sliced)
✔️ 3 garlic cloves (minced)
✔️ 1 tsp ground ginger
✔️ 1 tsp turmeric
✔️ 1 tsp cumin
✔️ Pinch of saffron threads (optional)
✔️ Salt & pepper to taste
✔️ ½ cup olive oil
✔️ Fresh cilantro + parsley (chopped)
✔️ 1 cup water or chicken stock
Tip: If you don’t have a tagine pot, a heavy skillet with a lid works too!
👨🍳 Step-by-Step Preparation
- Prep the chicken: Pat dry chicken pieces and season with salt, pepper, ginger, turmeric, and cumin.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat olive oil in the tagine/large heavy pot. Add onions + garlic and cook until soft.
- Brown the chicken: Place seasoned chicken on top of the onions and sear lightly on both sides.
- Add preserved lemons & olives: Scatter lemons and olives around the chicken.
- Add liquid: Pour in water or stock — just enough to cover the bottom of the pot.
- Slow cook: Cover and simmer over low heat for 45–60 minutes, until chicken is tender.
- Finish & garnish: Sprinkle with cilantro and parsley before serving.
🍽 How to Serve
Serve your Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon & Olives with:
- Warm Moroccan bread (khobz) to soak up the sauce
- Steamed couscous for a heartier meal
- A side of Moroccan salad (tomato, cucumber, or zaalouk)
🌍 Cultural & Festival Tie-Ins
During large events like CAN 2025, tourists and locals alike search for dishes that are authentically Moroccan. and that why i gifted you today this wonderful plate to make it or to ask some local restaurants during this event to prepare it for you.
- “Enjoy this iconic Moroccan tagine while watching CAN matches”
🍽 Nutritional Snapshot
A typical serving includes lean protein, olives rich in healthy fats, and antioxidant spices — perfect for a balanced meal with bold flavor.