🇲🇦 Morocco · Food
Chicken Tagine with Olives
By eatmundo · August 3, 2026
A classic Moroccan dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a savory, aromatic sauce of preserved lemon and briny green olives.
Ingredients
check them off as you prepareHow to Make It
- 1
Heat 40ml of olive oil in a tagine or heavy skillet over medium heat and sear 600g of chicken breast pieces until lightly golden.
- 2
Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 0.5 tsp turmeric, and 1 tsp salt, stirring for about 1 minute until the aromas bloom.
- 3
Chop the 1 bunch of parsley finely and stir it into the pot to build the depth of flavor.
- 4
Add the 1 chopped preserved lemon and 200g of pitted green olives, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- 5
Pour in 200ml of water and cover the pot; let it simmer on low heat for about 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- 6
Remove the lid and simmer for an additional 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken into a rich, flavorful glaze.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?+
Absolutely, chicken thighs stay juicier during the simmering process, which many prefer for tagines.
How do I handle the saltiness of preserved lemons?+
Since preserved lemons are quite salty, rinse them well or reduce the additional salt added to the recipe.
What is the key to a good sauce?+
The secret is to let the sauce simmer uncovered at the very end until it achieves a syrupy, glossy consistency.
Can I use regular lemons if I cannot find preserved ones?+
You can, but the distinct, fermented flavor of preserved lemons is what gives this dish its authentic Moroccan character.
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