Can I make this ahead?

Yes. The components or finished dish hold well if properly chilled and stored.

Can I adjust the seasoning?

Yes. Taste near the end and adjust salt, acid, or heat so it suits the way you like to cook and eat.

A fragrant one-pot stew with preserved lemons and green olives

Moroccan Chicken Tagine

Name: Moroccan Chicken Tagine
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 3 lbs chicken pieces, bone-in; 1 large onion, grated; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp ground ginger; 1 tsp turmeric; Pinch of saffron threads; 1 cinnamon stick; 1 preserved lemon, quartered; 1 cup green olives; 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 cup chicken broth; Salt and pepper

1h 20mMedium

Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

1 hr

Total Time

1 hr 20 min

Servings

6 servings

Difficulty

Medium

Cost

Moderate

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Moroccan Chicken Tagine

A fragrant one-pot stew with preserved lemons and green olives

A classic Moroccan chicken tagine slowly braised with saffron, preserved lemons, green olives, and warm spices until fall-apart tender.

20m

Prep Time

60m

Cook Time

80m

Total Time

Servings

Medium

Difficulty

Moderate $$

Cost

Mediterranean Cuisine Main Course Soup & Stew Gluten-Free Dairy-Free

Sarah Chen

February 7, 2026(Updated April 12, 2026)

A Moroccan tagine is a slow-cooked stew named after the conical clay pot it is traditionally cooked in — though a Dutch oven works perfectly. The magic is in the combination of warm spices, preserved lemons, and olives that create a flavor profile you do not find anywhere else in the world.

The chicken braises gently until it is falling off the bone, absorbing the saffron-tinted broth as it cooks. Preserved lemons add a unique fermented citrus flavor that is completely different from fresh lemon, and the olives provide bursts of salinity throughout.

Ingredients

3 lbs chicken pieces, bone-in
1 large onion, grated
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp turmeric
Pinch of saffron threads
1 cinnamon stick
1 preserved lemon, quartered
1 cup green olives
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
Salt and pepper

Instructions

1
Season the chicken with salt, pepper, ginger, and turmeric.
2
Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven and brown the chicken on all sides. Remove and set aside.
3
Saute the grated onion and garlic until softened, then add the saffron and cinnamon stick.
4
Return the chicken to the pot, add the broth, and bring to a simmer.
5
Cover and cook on low for 45 minutes until the chicken is very tender.
6
Add the preserved lemon and olives during the last 15 minutes.
7
Garnish with cilantro and serve with couscous or bread.

Serving Suggestions

Ways to Serve This Dish

Serve with crusty artisan bread for dipping
Finish with a drizzle of high-quality extra virgin olive oil
Pair with a simple arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette

DepthPantry

Test Kitchen Pick

Olive Oil

Helpful Pantry Staple

Why the olive oil matters

On recipes like this, olive oil is not just a background fat. A better bottle gives you cleaner flavor and a better finish.

This is one of the few pantry upgrades that keeps paying off every time you cook in this lane.

Useful in dressings, sauces, and finishing
Improves flavor without changing the recipe structure

A good bottle of olive oil is one of the safest pantry upgrades for Mediterranean and Italian cooking.

Shop olive oil for this recipe

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

Preserved lemons can be found at Middle Eastern markets or made at home.
Bone-in thighs and drumsticks give the best flavor and texture.
This dish is even better the next day.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the microwave until hot.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (1 serving) · 6 servings

Calories360

LowModerateHigh

A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet

Protein30g

Carbohydrates8g

Fat22g

Fiber2g

Sugar2g

Sodium620mg

Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead?: Yes. The components or finished dish hold well if properly chilled and stored.
Can I adjust the seasoning?: Yes. Taste near the end and adjust salt, acid, or heat so it suits the way you like to cook and eat.

Explore More

More Mediterranean Recipes More Main Course More Soup & Stew Gluten-Free Recipes Dairy-Free Recipes Stovetop Recipes

About Sarah Chen

Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.

View all recipes →

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Instructions

1
Season the chicken with salt, pepper, ginger, and turmeric.
2
Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven and brown the chicken on all sides. Remove and set aside.
3
Saute the grated onion and garlic until softened, then add the saffron and cinnamon stick.
4
Return the chicken to the pot, add the broth, and bring to a simmer.
5
Cover and cook on low for 45 minutes until the chicken is very tender.
6
Add the preserved lemon and olives during the last 15 minutes.
7
Garnish with cilantro and serve with couscous or bread.

Tips & Storage

Pro Tips

Preserved lemons can be found at Middle Eastern markets or made at home.
Bone-in thighs and drumsticks give the best flavor and texture.
This dish is even better the next day.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the microwave until hot.

Moroccan Chicken Tagine

Moroccan Chicken Tagine

Moroccan Chicken Tagine

Ingredients

Instructions