Chicken tagine is a flavorful Moroccan dish that is packed with aromatic spices and tender chicken. Jamie Oliver’s chicken tagine recipe is a modern take on the classic dish, featuring a mix of traditional ingredients like preserved lemons, apricots, and olives, as well as some unexpected additions like chickpeas and sweet potatoes. This dish is perfect for entertaining or for a cozy weeknight meal, and is sure to be a hit with friends and family.
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💓 Why You’ll Love This Chicken Tagine Jamie Oliver
Here are some reasons why you’ll love Jamie Oliver’s chicken tagine recipe:
- Flavorful spices: The dish is packed with a mix of aromatic spices that give it a complex and rich flavor.
- Tender chicken: The chicken is cooked to perfection, resulting in juicy and tender meat.
- Healthy ingredients: The recipe includes a variety of healthy ingredients like chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and vegetables, making it a nutritious meal.
- Easy to make: Despite its complex flavors, this dish is actually quite easy to make, and can be prepared in just over an hour.
- Perfect for sharing: Chicken tagine is a great dish to serve when entertaining, as it can be made in large quantities and is sure to impress your guests.
- Versatile: The recipe can be adapted to suit your taste preferences, and can be made with different spices, vegetables, and meats.
- Kid-friendly: The sweet and savory flavors of the dish make it appealing to kids, and the healthy ingredients make it a great choice for parents.
- Leftovers: Leftovers of this dish taste just as good, if not better, the next day, making it a great option for meal prep or lunch.
What Is Chicken Tagine Jamie Oliver Recipe?
Chicken tagine is a traditional Moroccan dish that’s typically made with chicken, vegetables, and aromatic spices, cooked slowly in a clay tagine pot. Jamie Oliver’s recipe for chicken tagine features tender chicken thighs that are cooked with onions, garlic, ginger, preserved lemon, and a blend of warm spices like cumin, coriander, and cinnamon. The dish is finished with a sprinkling of fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley and served over couscous or with a crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce. Oliver’s recipe is easy to follow and can be adapted to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs.

🍝 Ingredients
- 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 onions, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp. ginger, grated
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. ground coriander
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp. turmeric
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped
- 1 preserved lemon, chopped
- 1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
- 1/2 cup pitted green olives
- 1 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for cooking

🔪How To Make Chicken Tagine Jamie Oliver
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, heat a couple tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken thighs and cook until browned on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Add the onions, garlic, and ginger to the pot and sauté until the onions are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the spices and stir to coat the onions and garlic.
- Add the chickpeas, sweet potato, preserved lemon, apricots, and olives to the pot, and stir to combine.
- Return the chicken to the pot and pour in the chicken stock.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover the pot, and transfer it to the oven.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sweet potatoes are tender.
- Remove the pot from the oven and stir in the chopped parsley and cilantro.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve the chicken tagine hot, garnished with additional fresh herbs if desired.
💭Recipe Tips
Here are some recipe tips to help you make the best chicken tagine using Jamie Oliver’s recipe:
- Brown the chicken: Browning the chicken before cooking it in the tagine helps to develop its flavor and create a crispy exterior. Be sure to remove the chicken from the pot after it’s browned and set it aside while you cook the other ingredients.
- Use a good quality preserved lemon: Preserved lemons are a key ingredient in traditional Moroccan tagine recipes, and they add a salty, tangy flavor to the dish. Look for a high-quality preserved lemon at your local specialty food store or online.
- Adjust the spice level: Jamie Oliver’s recipe includes cayenne pepper for a bit of heat, but you can adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more or less of the spices listed in the recipe.
- Don’t overcook the sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes can easily become mushy if they’re overcooked, so be sure to check on them periodically while the tagine is baking to ensure that they’re tender but still holding their shape.
- Garnish with fresh herbs: Fresh parsley and cilantro add a bright, fresh flavor to the finished dish. Be sure to add them at the end of the cooking process to retain their color and flavor.
⏱ How Long To Cook Chicken Tagine?
Here are the different ways to cook chicken tagine and their estimated cooking times:
- Stovetop: If you’re cooking chicken tagine on the stovetop, it typically takes 45 minutes to 1 hour to cook. After bringing the tagine to a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently until the chicken is tender and the sauce has thickened.
- Oven: If you’re cooking chicken tagine in the oven, it usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours to cook. Bake the tagine in a covered casserole dish in a preheated oven at 350°F until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
- Slow cooker: If you’re using a slow cooker to make chicken tagine, it usually takes 4-6 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high. This method is great if you want to prepare the dish in advance and let it cook while you go about your day.
The cooking time can vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces and the cooking method you choose. Be sure to check that the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender before serving.

🍴 What To Serve With Chicken Tagine?
Chicken tagine is a flavorful and satisfying dish that pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas for what to serve with chicken tagine:
- Couscous: Couscous is a classic side dish for Moroccan tagine recipes. It’s quick and easy to prepare, and its light, fluffy texture provides a nice contrast to the rich, saucy chicken.
- Rice: You can also serve chicken tagine with rice, which can be flavored with herbs, spices, and/or toasted nuts.
- Bread: Moroccan breads like khobz or msemen are perfect for soaking up the flavorful sauce in the chicken tagine.
- Roasted Vegetables: A side of roasted vegetables such as carrots, zucchini, or eggplant can complement the flavors of the chicken tagine.
- Salad: A fresh and light salad, such as a green salad or a Moroccan carrot salad, can provide a nice balance to the rich and flavorful chicken tagine.
- Olives: Olives are a classic Moroccan ingredient that can be served as a side or used as a garnish to complement the flavors of the chicken tagine.
Serve with a glass of mint tea or a cold beverage of your choice for a refreshing and satisfying meal.
🥶 How To Store Leftovers
Here are three different ways to store leftovers of chicken tagine:
🌡️ How To Reheat Leftovers
Here are three different ways to reheat leftovers of chicken tagine:
- Stovetop: Reheating chicken tagine on the stovetop is a quick and easy method. Simply transfer the leftovers to a saucepan or skillet and heat over medium-low heat until it’s heated through, stirring occasionally. If the sauce has thickened, you can add a splash of water or chicken stock to loosen it up.
- Oven: To reheat chicken tagine in the oven, transfer the leftovers to an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until it’s heated through. Check it periodically to avoid overcooking.
- Microwave: If you’re in a hurry, you can also reheat chicken tagine in the microwave. Transfer the leftovers to a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent to allow steam to escape. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until it’s heated through.
When reheating chicken tagine, make sure to heat it until it’s piping hot all the way through before serving. You can also add fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten up the flavors. Enjoy!
FAQ Section
What are the most common ingredients used to make Chicken Tagine?
The most common ingredients used to make Chicken Tagine are chicken, spices such as saffron, ginger, cumin, and turmeric, onions, garlic, tomatoes, olives, lemons, and parsley. Other vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, and zucchini, can also be added.
What is the best way to cook Chicken Tagine?
The best way to cook Chicken Tagine is to first marinate the chicken in the spices for at least 30 minutes before cooking. This will help to infuse the flavors into the meat. Once the chicken is marinated, it can be added to the tagine along with the other ingredients. The tagine is then placed over a low heat source and left to simmer until the chicken is cooked through.
What are some variations of Chicken Tagine?
Some variations of Chicken Tagine include adding different types of vegetables, such as carrots, potatoes, and zucchini, as well as different types of meat, such as lamb or beef.
What does Chicken Tagine taste like?
Chicken Tagine has a rich, fragrant flavor that is both savory and slightly sweet. The combination of spices and slow-cooking gives the dish a complex flavor that is both subtle and complex. The resulting stew is often served with a dollop of yogurt or a squeeze of lemon juice to add a touch of brightness to the dish.
What type of chicken is best for Chicken Tagine?
Chicken thighs are the most popular choice for Chicken Tagine. They are flavorful, tender, and have enough fat to keep the dish moist while it’s cooking.
How long does it take to make Chicken Tagine?
It typically takes about an hour to prepare Chicken Tagine. The actual cooking time depends on the size and thickness of the chicken thighs, but it usually takes about 45 minutes for the chicken to cook.
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Chicken Tagine Jamie Oliver Nutrition Fact
- Calories: 340
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 700mg
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 18g