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A tagine is a slow-cooked North African stew bursting with spices, tender meats, and vegetables, all simmered to perfection in a cone-shaped earthenware pot.
Dreaming of a Moroccan escape but stuck in your kitchen? Let’s make an exotic, aromatic tagine that’s so good, you’ll swear you smell the souks. This solo adventure promises spice, zest, and a belly full of joy. All deets included—you’re in delicious hands!
Tagine Temptation
This delectable, single-serving tagine is a symphony of spices, tender chicken, and sweet apricots. The magic happens in a single pot, keeping things as simple as they are delicious. Let’s embark on a North African culinary adventure, all while keeping your cleanup duties to a bare minimum.
- Cooking Method: Slow simmering
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Cuisine: Moroccan
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 chicken thigh, bone-in, skin-on
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 3 dried apricots, chopped
- 1 small carrot, sliced
- 1 small zucchini, sliced
- Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a small tagine or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.
- Season the chicken thigh with salt and pepper. Brown it on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté the onion until translucent, roughly 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another minute. The aroma should be making your stomach grumble by now.
- Mix in the spices: cumin, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and paprika. Stir well.
- Return the chicken to the pot, nestling it among the aromatic onions and spices.
- Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring the chicken is mostly covered. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add chickpeas, apricots, carrot, and zucchini. Stir to combine.
- Cover and simmer on low heat for 35 minutes. Resist the temptation to peek!
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or parsley. Voilà!
Suggestions
- Swap chicken thigh for a lamb chop for a richer flavor.
- No apricots? Dried figs or dates work just as deliciously.
- Serve over couscous to soak up all that mouth-watering sauce.
- Feeling spicy? Add a pinch of chili flakes to the spice mix.
- A touch of preserved lemon can add an extra zingy dimension.
