Description
Mary Berry’s chicken tagine brings Moroccan magic to dinner tables with fragrant spices and tender meat. Succulent chicken mingles with apricots, herbs, and a rich sauce that invites diners to savor each delightful, warmly spiced bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 lbs (700 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Base and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 ounces/400 g) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup (150 g) pitted green olives
- ¼ cup (40 g) dried apricots, chopped
- 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth
Garnish and Serving:
- Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish
- Cooked couscous or rice, for serving
Instructions
- Warm a generous splash of olive oil (30 milliliters or 2 tablespoons) in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, creating a shimmering cooking surface.
- Gently introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Carefully nestle chicken pieces into the aromatic base, allowing each side to develop a rich golden-brown exterior through even browning, roughly 6-8 minutes.
- Sprinkle an ensemble of ground spices – cumin, coriander, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and a whisper of cayenne pepper – directly onto the chicken, stirring to coat and releasing their complex aromatics for 2 minutes.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, vibrant green olives, sweet dried apricots, and a splash of robust chicken broth, creating a luxurious simmering liquid.
- Season generously with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, balancing the flavor profile with precision.
- Elevate the temperature momentarily to trigger a gentle boil, then immediately reduce heat to low, covering the skillet with a tight-fitting lid.
- Allow the fragrant mixture to simmer undisturbed for 50-55 minutes, ensuring chicken becomes supremely tender and thoroughly cooked.
- Perform a final taste assessment, adjusting seasonings as needed with additional salt, pepper, or spices.
- Present the succulent dish atop fluffy couscous or steamed rice, garnishing with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley for a vibrant finish.
Notes
- Traditional clay tagine pots infuse a unique earthy flavor into the dish, creating an authentic Moroccan cooking experience.
- Chicken needs quality marinade time to absorb rich spices deeply, transforming ordinary meat into a spectacular meal.
- Heavy-bottomed pots with tight-fitting lids work perfectly when authentic tagine cookware isn’t available.
- Extra cooking time without lid helps sauce thicken naturally, concentrating delicious spice blend and creating luxurious texture.
- Letting chicken rest in spice mixture before cooking allows complex flavors to penetrate every fiber, guaranteeing maximum taste potential.
- Cooking temperatures between low and medium ensure tender meat without burning delicate spice combinations.
- Fresh herbs sprinkled just before serving add bright, vibrant notes that complement the deep, warming spice profile.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as spices continue to meld and develop more intense flavors overnight.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg