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Morocco · Food

Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives

120 min
670 kcal
4 servings

By eatmundo · August 3, 2026

Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives🇲🇦Foodista · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Same ingredients, elsewhere in the world

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Dishes from other countries' kitchens, made from the same core ingredients as Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives. The percentage is the share of ingredients the two recipes have in common.

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A classic Moroccan celebratory dish featuring succulent chicken infused with the citrus tang of preserved lemons and salt-brined olives. The slow-cooked sauce creates a deep, golden glaze that is perfect for dipping fresh khobz bread.

According to eatmundo's ingredient comparison, the closest dish to Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives from another cuisine is Chicken Kunig (Philippines): the two share 63% of their ingredients.

Ingredients

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Adapt this recipe:
4 servings

How to Make It

  • 1

    In a bowl, mix turmeric, ginger, salt, saffron, and minced garlic with 2 tablespoons of oil to create a marinade.

  • 2

    Rub the chicken pieces thoroughly with the spice paste, letting it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.

  • 3

    Heat the remaining oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or tagine over medium heat and sear the chicken until golden brown on all sides.

  • 4

    Add finely grated onions to the pot, cover, and reduce heat to low, cooking for 10 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent.

  • 5

    Pour in 200ml of water, bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 45 minutes until the chicken is tender and pulling away from the bone.

  • 6

    Stir in the quartered preserved lemon peel and olives, cooking for an additional 10 minutes without a lid to allow the sauce to thicken slightly.

  • 7

    Taste the sauce; if it is too salty from the lemons and olives, add a splash of water, but usually no extra salt is needed.

  • 8

    Serve the tagine hot directly from the pot, garnishing with the chopped pulp of the preserved lemons.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives?

Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives is a slow-cooked Moroccan stew named after the conical clay pot in which it is prepared. It features chicken simmered with turmeric, ginger, garlic, citrus, and olives, typically served as a communal main course during meals.

Can I use bone-in chicken?

Yes, bone-in chicken is traditional and provides much more flavor to the sauce than boneless cuts.

Are preserved lemons essential?

They provide the iconic fermented citrus flavor of Moroccan cooking; they cannot be perfectly replaced by fresh lemon.

How long should it simmer?

Usually 45 to 60 minutes until the chicken meat is succulent and tender.

What is the best way to serve?

Serve it communal style with plenty of crusty bread to scoop up the delicious sauce.

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