How to cook chicken tagine with lemon and olives?

The Traditional Moroccan Dish: Chicken Tagine with Lemon and Olives

Chicken tagine with lemon and olives is a delicious and aromatic dish from Moroccan cuisine. It is a traditional dish that is cooked in a special clay pot called a tagine, which helps to distribute heat evenly and infuse the flavors into the chicken. This dish is known for its unique combination of flavors, blending the tartness of lemons with the rich and savory taste of olives. If you want to prepare this dish at home, here is a step-by-step guide to help you.

Gather the Ingredients for Chicken Tagine with Lemon and Olives

Before you start cooking, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients for chicken tagine with lemon and olives. Here’s what you will need:

• 4 chicken legs
• 1 lemon
• 1 cup green olives
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads (optional)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Prepare and Cook the Chicken Tagine

Once you have all the ingredients ready, it’s time to prepare and cook the chicken tagine.

1. Start by seasoning the chicken legs with salt, pepper, cumin, ginger, turmeric, and paprika. Make sure to coat the chicken evenly with the spices.
2. Heat the olive oil in a tagine or a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the tagine and sauté until they are soft and golden brown.
4. Add the seasoned chicken legs to the tagine and brown them on both sides.
5. Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the chicken legs and add the lemon halves to the tagine.
6. Add the green olives and saffron threads (if using) to the tagine.
7. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan and create a flavorful sauce.
8. Reduce the heat to low, cover the tagine, and let the chicken simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

Serve and Enjoy Chicken Tagine with Lemon and Olives

Once the chicken tagine is cooked, it’s time to serve and enjoy this flavorful Moroccan dish.

1. Remove the chicken legs from the tagine and transfer them to a serving dish.
2. Discard the lemon halves and skim off any excess fat from the sauce.
3. Drizzle the sauce over the chicken legs and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.
4. You can serve the chicken tagine with lemon and olives over couscous or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Tips and Variations for Chicken Tagine with Lemon and Olives

Here are some tips and variations to help you customize and elevate your chicken tagine with lemon and olives:

• If you don’t have a tagine, you can still make this dish in a large, deep skillet or a Dutch oven.
• Feel free to add other vegetables to the tagine, such as carrots, potatoes, or bell peppers, to make it more hearty and nutritious.
• If you prefer a spicier flavor, you can add some chili flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the tagine.
• For a vegetarian version, you can substitute the chicken with tofu or chickpeas and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to create your own unique twist on this classic Moroccan dish.

Now that you have the recipe and know-how to cook chicken tagine with lemon and olives, you can impress your family and friends with a taste of Morocco in your own kitchen. Enjoy!