Moroccan Chicken Tajine
Made by Sönke Kahl
A fragrant journey into the heart of Moroccan cuisine. Tender chicken, preserved lemons, green olives and aromatic spices come together in a beautifully comforting dish inspired by the flavours of North Africa.
Preserved lemons and green olives are essential ingredients in traditional Moroccan cooking. This recipe can be prepared with chicken legs or a whole chicken, cut into serving pieces.
Ingredients
For the Tajine
- 8–10 chicken leg pieces, portioned
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 generous knob of butter
- 2 preserved lemons, cut into strips
- 175 g green olives
- 1–2 tsp dried thyme
For the Marinade
- 1 onion, grated
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 25 g fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- ½ bunch fresh coriander, finely chopped
- 1 pinch saffron threads
- Juice of 1 lemon, freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 3–4 tbsp olive oil
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
How to Make It
Prepare the Marinade
Combine the grated onion, garlic, ginger, fresh coriander, saffron, lemon juice, sea salt, olive oil and black pepper in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
Marinate the Chicken
Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and rub the mixture well into the meat. Cover and refrigerate for approximately 1–2 hours to allow the flavours to develop.
Brown and Simmer
Heat the olive oil and butter in a tajine or a heavy-based casserole dish. Brown the chicken pieces gently on all sides. Add the remaining marinade and pour in enough water to cover the chicken halfway. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for approximately 45 minutes. Turn the chicken occasionally.
Add Lemons and Olives
Add the preserved lemon strips, green olives and half of the dried thyme. Cover and continue cooking gently for another 15–20 minutes, until the chicken is tender and thoroughly cooked.
Finish and Serve
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Sprinkle with the remaining thyme and serve immediately, preferably straight from the tajine.
From Our Kitchen
Moroccan Chicken Tajine · Da Cipriano Taste Journal
Serving Suggestions
Serve this fragrant chicken tajine with fluffy couscous, a fresh Moroccan-inspired salad or seasonal vegetables. Perfect for sharing around the table.
