Chicken Tagine

Name: A traditional Moroccan dish
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Ingredients: 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2 pounds), cut in half; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1/4 cup olive oil; 2 onions, halved and thinly sliced crosswise; 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne; 1 bay leaf; 3 tablespoon tomato paste; 2 tablespoon apricot preserves or jam; 2 cup chicken broth; 1 pound sweet potatoes, cut into 2-inch chunks; 1/2 cup plump dried apricots, cut in half; prepared couscous, for serving; harissa, for serving (see notes)

The Daily Meal Staff|April 10, 2021 3:09 pm EST

Chicken Tagine

3.3 (33 ratings)

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A tagine is a point-topped clay or ceramic pot used in Moroccan cooking. Whether you cook this recipe in one, or cook it in a saucepan and served in one, it's still called chicken tagine. In the savory/sweet tradition, this version of chicken tagine pairs chicken with sweet potato. It's deliciously sticky with apricots, bright with ginger and spiced with cayenne.This recipe is by Leah Eskin and was originally published in the Chicago Tribune.

Prep Time

20

minutes

Cook Time

1

hour

Servings

4

Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Ingredients

8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 2 pounds), cut in half
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
2 onions, halved and thinly sliced crosswise
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne
1 bay leaf
3 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoon apricot preserves or jam
2 cup chicken broth
1 pound sweet potatoes, cut into 2-inch chunks
1/2 cup plump dried apricots, cut in half
prepared couscous, for serving
harissa, for serving (see notes)

Directions

Step 1: In a large bowl, toss 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs that have been cut in half (about 2 pounds) with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Set aside.
Step 2: If you have an actual stove-top tagine, use that. Otherwise, a Dutch oven or other large heavy pot will do. In tagine (or Dutch oven), heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium-low. Add 2 halved and thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring now and then, until very soft and lightly tanned, about 20 minutes. Add 2 cloves chopped garlic and 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger; stir 1 minute.
Step 3: Stir in 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne, 1 bay leaf, 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 tablespoons apricot preserves and 2 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
Step 4: Nestle in reserved chicken, 1 pound sweet potatoes (cut into 2-inch chunks) and 1/2 cup plump dried apricots (cut in half), making sure everything is submerged. Lower to a gentle simmer, cover and let cook, about 45 minutes (no peeking!).
Step 5: Uncover, poke chicken and potatoes with a fork to make sure they are tender (if not, cover and cook a little longer). Pull out and discard bay leaf. Scoop prepared couscous into serving bowls, and ladle on the stew. Serve with harissa, for a little spicy kick.