The Best Jamie Oliver Apricots Chicken Tagine Recipe Ever

Apricots chicken tagine represents a culinary adventure that transports taste buds across Mediterranean landscapes.

Rich spices dance through tender meat, creating an aromatic symphony of flavors unexpected and bold.

Warm cinnamon and ginger whisper stories of traditional cooking methods passed through generations.

Each ingredient plays a delicate role in crafting a harmonious meal that connects comfort with excitement.

Fragrant herbs weave complexity into seemingly simple ingredients, transforming an ordinary dinner into something extraordinary.

Moroccan-inspired techniques elevate this dish beyond standard weeknight cooking, promising a sensory journey that awakens your palate: prepare to be delighted.

Why Jamie Oliver’s Apricots Chicken Tagine Is a Flavor Bomb

• Savor Rich Moroccan Flavors: This chicken tagine bursts with warm, aromatic spices like cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric that transport your taste buds straight to North African cuisine. Each bite delivers a complex, depth-packed flavor profile that feels both exotic and comforting.
• Enjoy Gorgeous Texture Contrasts: Tender, falling-apart chicken meets crispy toasted almonds, creating a delightful interplay between soft and crunchy elements. The silky apricot glaze adds another luxurious dimension, making every mouthful an exciting sensory experience.
• Master an Impressive Cooking Technique: This one-pot wonder showcases a traditional Moroccan cooking method that looks sophisticated but remains surprisingly straightforward. Home cooks can easily elevate their culinary skills by using a tagine and learning layered cooking techniques that produce restaurant-quality results.
• Celebrate Versatile Meal Potential: Perfect for intimate dinner parties or family gatherings, this dish impresses guests while remaining approachable. Its vibrant colors, enticing aromas, and balanced flavors make it suitable for both casual weeknight dinners and special celebrations.

Core Ingredients for Apricots Chicken Tagine

• Ground Cinnamon: Warm, aromatic spice that adds depth to the chicken marinade.
• Ground Ginger: Provides a sharp, slightly peppery flavor to enhance the dish.
• Turmeric: Adds earthy color and subtle warmth to the spice mix.
• Black Pepper: Brings a mild heat and complexity to the seasoning.
• Salt: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall flavor.

• Chicken Pieces: Main protein that absorbs the rich spice blend and becomes tender during cooking.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps brown the chicken and sauté vegetables.
• Olive Oil: Provides cooking fat and helps distribute heat evenly.

• Onion: Adds sweetness and creates a flavor base for the tagine.
• Garlic: Brings intense, pungent flavor to the dish.
• Fresh Cilantro, Fresh Parsley: Herbs that provide bright, fresh notes and aromatic complexity.
• Honey: Creates a sweet glaze that caramelizes and complements the chicken.
• Apricots: Adds natural sweetness and creates a luxurious fruity sauce.
• Cinnamon Stick: Infuses a warm, sweet undertone to the sauce.

• Almonds: Provides a crunchy texture and nutty flavor as a final topping.
• Water: Helps create the sauce and prevent burning during cooking.

Steps to Cook Jamie’s Apricots Tagine

Step 1: Prepare Spice Marinade

• Ground cinnamon
• Ground ginger
• Turmeric
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Olive oil

Mix all spices and oil in a large bowl. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with the marinade, ensuring even coverage.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken

Heat butter and olive oil in a tagine or large skillet. Sear chicken pieces for 8 to 12 minutes, turning to brown both sides. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatics

In the same cooking vessel, add chopped onions and remaining salt. Cook onions until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Add minced garlic and continue cooking for an additional 3 minutes.

Step 4: Create Herb Bundle and Simmer

Tie fresh cilantro and parsley together with kitchen twine. Add herb bundle, water, and browned chicken to the tagine. Cover and simmer gently for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Prepare Apricot Glaze

• Honey
• Remaining water
• Whole cinnamon stick
• Dried apricots

Reduce mixture until it becomes a thick, glossy glaze.

Step 6: Toast Almonds and Finish Dish

In a small skillet, toast sliced almonds until golden brown. Add apricot glaze to the tagine 10 minutes before chicken is fully cooked. Sprinkle toasted almonds on top before serving.

Pro Tips for a Tasty Chicken Tagine

• Savor Spice Depth: Marinate chicken in spice blend for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to penetrate and tenderize the meat completely.
• Secure Herb Simplicity: Create a quick herb bundle with kitchen twine, making removal effortless and preventing herb fragments in the final dish.
• Guard Glaze Intensity: Monitor apricot honey reduction carefully, stirring frequently to achieve a glossy, rich sauce without burning.
• Capture Golden Brilliance: Thoroughly dry chicken before seasoning, ensuring a crisp, caramelized exterior that seals in succulent juices.
• Master Nutty Perfection: Toast almonds in a dry skillet with constant movement, creating an even golden color and releasing rich, toasty aromas.

Proper Storage of Apricots Tagine

• Vacuum Seal Method: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer for the Apricots Chicken Tagine. Removes air completely, preventing freezer burn and maintaining optimal flavor for up to 4 months. Best for preserving delicate spices and tender chicken meat.
• Portion Freezing Method: Divide the tagine into individual serving sizes before freezing. Use sturdy freezer-safe glass containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label each portion with the date and contents for easy tracking. Allows quick defrosting and reduces food waste by preventing repeated thawing.
• Glass Container Storage: Transfer the cooled tagine into glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Glass prevents flavor absorption and allows easy reheating. Ensures food stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Transparent containers help you quickly identify leftovers and monitor food quality.

Tasty Variations on This Tagine

• Moroccan Herb Infusion: Replace cilantro and parsley with preserved lemon and fresh mint for an authentic North African flavor profile.
• Spicy Apricot Kick: Add harissa paste or red chili flakes to the spice mix for a bold, fiery undertone that complements the sweet apricots.
• Vegetarian Tagine Swap: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or roasted cauliflower, keeping the aromatic spices and apricot glaze intact.
• Coconut Fusion Remix: Incorporate coconut milk instead of water to create a creamy, rich sauce that adds depth to the traditional tagine preparation.

Wrap-Up on Jamie Oliver’s Apricots Chicken Tagine

Moroccan kitchens whisper ancient culinary secrets through Jamie Oliver’s apricot chicken tagine.

Fragrant spices dance across tender chicken, creating a melodic Mediterranean symphony.

Honey-glazed apricots soften the savory notes with delicate sweetness.

Rich almonds add subtle crunch to this North African masterpiece.

Such complexity emerges from simple ingredients blended with passion and tradition.

Curious palates will discover pure magic when golden-brown chicken meets caramelized fruit – dive deep into this sensational recipe, share its story, spark conversation, and let culinary adventure begin.

Jamie Oliver Apricots Chicken Tagine Recipe

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4.7 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Jamie Oliver’s Apricots Chicken Tagine delivers Moroccan warmth with tender chicken and sweet apricots. Mediterranean spices and herbs create a rich, aromatic meal that transports you to North African culinary landscapes.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 1 (3 pounds or 1.36 kilograms) chicken, cut into 6 pieces, wings and backbone discarded

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
• 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons mild honey

Additional Ingredients:

• ½ cup dried apricots, separated into halves
• 3 tablespoons plus ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 medium red onion, halved, then sliced ¼ inch thick
• 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 5 sprigs fresh cilantro
• 5 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 ½ cups water
• ⅓ cup whole blanched almonds

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Instructions

1. Create a robust spice blend by combining ground cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt, and 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil in a spacious mixing bowl. Thoroughly massage the spice mixture into each chicken piece, ensuring complete and even coverage.
2. Melt butter and add 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) oil in a tagine or large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place chicken pieces and sear until golden brown, approximately 4-6 minutes per side. Transfer browned chicken to a temporary plate.
3. Using the same cooking vessel, introduce diced onions and remaining 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 grams) salt. Sauté until translucent and softened, stirring occasionally, about 6-8 minutes. Incorporate minced garlic and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.
4. Bundle fresh cilantro and parsley stems together with kitchen twine. Add herb bundle, 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) water, and previously seared chicken back into the tagine. Reduce heat, cover, and allow to simmer gently for 25-35 minutes.
5. Simultaneously, prepare the glaze by combining honey, remaining water, whole cinnamon stick, and dried apricots in a separate saucepan. Reduce liquid until it reaches a syrupy consistency. In a separate small skillet, lightly toast sliced almonds until they develop a golden, fragrant color.
6. Ten minutes before chicken completion, incorporate the apricot glaze into the tagine, allowing flavors to meld. Once chicken is tender and fully cooked, remove herb bundle. Garnish with toasted almonds and serve immediately.

Notes

• Leftovers become a flavor explosion, intensifying the complex spice blend with each passing hour.
• Traditional tagine cooking transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that transports you to Moroccan markets.
• Handpicked herbs and carefully toasted spices elevate this chicken dish from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Slow simmering allows every ingredient to whisper its unique story, creating a symphony of tastes and textures.
• Unexpected ingredient combinations deliver a surprising harmony that delights both adventurous and traditional palates.
• Authentic cooking techniques ensure each bite tells a rich, vibrant tale of Moroccan culinary traditions.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: UK

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 575 kcal
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 314 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 28 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 33 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg