This dish captures the essence of North African flavors, boasting tender chicken, hearty chickpeas, and a fragrant blend of spices that will transport your taste buds to the bustling markets of Morocco. The chicken and chickpeas meld beautifully with the warm spices, creating a blend of taste that’s warming inside and out. Let’s begin!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 19 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Cooked couscous, pita, or rice, for serving
Instructions
- In a large skillet or tagine, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until translucent.
- Add minced garlic and all the ground spices (cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, turmeric, ginger, cayenne) to the skillet. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned on all sides.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juices and the chicken broth. Add the drained chickpeas and chopped dried apricots, if using. Stir to combine. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Season the tagine with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve the Moroccan Chicken and Chickpea Tagine over cooked couscous or rice. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness.
Notes
For an extra layer of flavor, you can marinate the chicken with a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of the ground spices before cooking. Feel free to adjust the level of spiciness by varying the amount of cayenne pepper to suit your taste. Enhance the tagine’s authenticity by adding a pinch of saffron threads or a drizzle of argan oil (if available). If using dried apricots, make sure to chop them finely to evenly distribute their sweetness throughout the dish. Serve the tagine with a side of warm pita bread for scooping up the delicious sauce. Enjoy!
*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
