Nigella Chicken Tagine ​Recipe

This delicious chicken tagine is an easy and comforting meal, perfect for a cozy dinner. Made with tender chicken, warming spices, and salty green olives, it’s a flavor-packed dish you can prepare with everyday ingredients. The preserved lemon adds a unique tang, making each bite irresistibly fragrant and satisfying.

Ingredients Needed :

• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• Pinch saffron
• Pinch turmeric
• 1 medium chicken, cut into pieces
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 handful fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
• 1 handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 1 stick cinnamon (or a couple of pinches of ground cinnamon)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Zest of 1 preserved lemon
• 150g / 1 cup green olives

How To Make Chicken Tagine ​recipe?

1. Prepare the Chicken: In a large pot, mix garlic, ginger, cumin, paprika, saffron, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Rub the chicken pieces with the spice mix.
2. Add Onions and Herbs: Add chopped onions, coriander, parsley, and the cinnamon stick. Pour in about 75 ml / ¾ cup of water and bring the mixture to a boil.
3. Simmer the Chicken: Once boiling, add olive oil and butter. Cover and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for about 45 minutes, or until the chicken is tender.
4. Add Vegetables (Optional): If you add vegetables, such as potatoes, do so after 25-30 minutes, depending on your preferred texture.
5. Adjust the Sauce: When the chicken is cooked, check the sauce consistency. If it’s too thin, remove the chicken and cinnamon stick, then boil the sauce until it thickens.
6. Add Lemon and Olives: Stir in the lemon juice, preserved lemon zest, and green olives. Simmer for another 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
7. Serve: Return the chicken to the sauce to coat it well, then serve hot.

Recipe Tips :

• Use Fresh Spices: Freshly ground spices taste better. Try grinding spices right before cooking to get the best flavor.
• Let the Chicken Rest in Spices: After rubbing the spices on, let the chicken sit for 15-20 minutes. This makes the chicken more tasty.
• Add a Little Water at First: Start with just a small amount of water so the sauce doesn’t get too watery. You can add more if needed later.
• Pick Good Olives and Lemon: High-quality green olives and real preserved lemon will make the dish taste even better.
• Cook Slowly for Soft Meat: Cooking on low heat makes the chicken tender and juicy. Slow cooking is key to making a perfect tagine.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: First, let the leftover Chicken Tagine cool to room temperature. Once cooled, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Let the Chicken Tagine cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Place the Chicken Tagine in a pan over low heat. Cover and heat gently, stirring occasionally, until it’s hot all the way through.

Nutrition Facts :

Serving Size: 1 serving

• Calories: 400 kcal
• Total Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 4.7 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Potassium: 1,500 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 60 g
• Dietary Fiber: 9 g
• Sugars: 12 g
• Protein: 38 g

Try More Nigella  Lawson Recipes:

• Nigella Chicken Liver Pate
• Nigella Chicken Tray Bake
• Nigella Chicken And Chorizo Tray Bake