Best 4 Chicken Butternut Squash Tagine Recipes

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN TAGINE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Put the squash and dates into a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker. Season generously with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, combine the cinnamon stick, sweet paprika, turmeric, cumin, hot smoked paprika, ground ginger, cloves and cayenne and set aside.
• Warm the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the chicken dry and season it generously with salt. Working in two batches, put the chicken in the skillet skin side down and cook without moving it until the skin is deeply golden, crisp, and releases fairly easily from the bottom of the pan, about 5 to 8 minutes per batch. (You need to brown only the skin side.) Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker, nestling the thighs skin side up and in one crowded layer on top of the squash.
• Decrease the stovetop heat to medium. If there is a lot of rendered fat in the pan, pour off all but a thin layer to cover the entire bottom of the skillet. Add the onion, season with salt, and cook, stirring to scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan, until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the reserved spices and stir well for about 30 seconds, until the mixture is a uniform brick red. Add the lemon juice, stir well to incorporate the browned bits, then scrape the mixture over the top of the chicken, making sure to include any spice-stained oil that remains.
• Cook on low until the squash and chicken are very tender and the flavors are mellow, at least 4 hours and up to 6 hours. If it's more convenient, you can let the slow cooker switch to warm after 6 hours. The dish will hold on warm for another 2 hours before the chicken starts to dry out. Remove and discard the cinnamon stick. Add lemon juice and salt to taste and fold in the chopped parsley and scallions. Serve with couscous or pita, topped with yogurt and toasted almonds, if desired.

INSTANT POT® CHICKEN TAGINE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Stir 2 tablespoons oil, 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, cinnamon, cumin, paprika, coriander, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper together in a small bowl to form a paste. Toss 1 tablespoon paste with chicken in a medium bowl.
• Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Heat remaining oil until shimmering, about 1 minute. Add onion and 1 teaspoon kosher salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes.
• Stir in remaining spice paste, garlic, and ginger. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir in water, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom using a wooden spoon. Add butternut squash, tomatoes with their juices, and chicken; stir to combine, then distribute mixture in an even layer. Close and lock the lid and move the pressure valve to sealing. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 3 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
• Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions for 10 minutes. Release remaining pressure carefully using the quick-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.
• Stir spinach into the pot and cover without locking the lid into place. Let stand until spinach wilts, about 3 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and zest; taste, and season with salt and pepper.

PRESSURE COOKER CHICKEN TAGINE WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Using the sauté setting, warm the oil in the pot of a 6- to 8-quart pressure cooker. Add the onion, season with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the fresh ginger and garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant and softened, about 2 minutes. Add the cinnamon stick, sweet paprika, turmeric, cumin, smoked paprika, ground ginger, cayenne and cloves. Season generously with black pepper. Stir well.
• Add the tomato paste and stir until fully combined, fragrant and brick-red in color, about 1 minute. Add the chicken stock and lemon juice, scraping any browned bits that have collected at the bottom of the pan. Turn off the heat. Add the chicken and the dates and stir to combine. Place the butternut squash wedges on top and season them generously with salt and pepper. Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 16 minutes.
• Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then release remaining pressure manually. Open the lid, add the parsley and scallions and gently fold everything together. (The butternut squash will fall apart slightly to thicken the sauce.) Taste and add lemon juice and salt, if necessary. Serve with couscous or pita and top with yogurt and toasted almonds, if desired.

CHICKEN & BUTTERNUT SQUASH TAGINE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden, for about 8 minutes. Raise the heat to medium high and stir in the garlic. Cook until it becomes fragrant, for about 1 minute.
• Stir the cumin and the other spices into the onions. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the chicken pieces and coat with the spices.
• Add 1 cup of water, and stir well to remove spices from the bottom of the pan. Add squash, olives, and prunes; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 10-15 minutes or until squash is tender. Taste for salt. Garnish with cilantro and parsley. Serve with Basic Couscous.
• Recipe adapted from Cooking Light, November 2009.