Embark on a culinary adventure to Morocco with this tantalizing recipe for Chickpea Tagine with Chicken and Apricots. This classic North African dish combines succulent chicken, tender chickpeas, and sweet dried apricots in a flavorful broth, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. Served over fluffy couscous or aromatic rice, this tagine is a symphony of spices, with the warmth of cumin, the zesty tang of lemon, and the subtle sweetness of cinnamon dancing on your palate.
This recipe provides a step-by-step guide to crafting this delightful dish, from preparing the aromatic spice blend to simmering the tagine to perfection. It also includes variations to suit different dietary preferences, such as a vegetarian version with chickpeas as the star ingredient and a gluten-free option using quinoa instead of couscous.
Alongside the main recipe, the article offers a collection of complementary dishes to complete your Moroccan feast. Dive into the vibrant flavors of Carrot Salad with Cumin and Coriander, a refreshing side dish that adds a pop of color and crunch to your meal. Indulge in the velvety smoothness of Avocado and Chickpea Salad, a delightful combination of creamy avocado, hearty chickpeas, and tangy dressing.
For a sweet ending, try your hand at the delectable Moroccan Orange Cake, a fragrant dessert infused with the zesty flavors of orange and almonds. With its moist texture and tantalizing aroma, this cake is sure to leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.
Whether you're a seasoned cook or a curious culinary explorer, this article provides a comprehensive guide to creating a memorable Moroccan meal. Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors and aromas of North African cuisine, and relish the satisfaction of preparing a delicious and authentic feast in your own kitchen.
CHICKEN TAGINE WITH APRICOTS AND ALMONDS
Steps:
- Stir together ground cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons oil in a large bowl. Add chicken and turn to coat well.
- Heat butter and 1 tablespoon oil in base of tagine (or in skillet), uncovered, over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then brown half of chicken, skin sides down, turning over once, 8 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Brown remaining chicken in same manner, adding any spice mixture left in bowl.
- Add onion and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to tagine and cook, uncovered, stirring frequently, until soft, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Tie cilantro and parsley into a bundle with kitchen string and add to tagine along with 1/2 cup water, chicken, and any juices accumulated on plate. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 30 minutes.
- While chicken cooks, bring honey, remaining cup water, cinnamon stick, and apricots to a boil in a 1- to 2-quart heavy saucepan, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until apricots are very tender (add more water if necessary). Once apricots are tender, simmer until liquid is reduced to a glaze, 10 to 15 minutes.
- While apricots cook, heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in a small skillet over moderate heat and cook almonds, stirring occasionally, until just golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
- Ten minutes before chicken is done, add apricot mixture to tagine. Discard herbs and cinnamon stick, then serve chicken sprinkled with almonds on top.
INSTANT POT® CHICKEN TAGINE WITH APRICOTS AND CHICKPEAS
In this dish, the Instant Pot® is used to create a dish reminiscent of a slowly braised stew in a traditional clay tagine. It's a sweet-and-savory, highly flavorful combo that will take you back to your Moroccan trip or inspire you to start planning for that Sahara camel-trek. Chicken is cooked until tender with onions, garlic, turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon. Apricots steep in the broth. Serve with rice or couscous and Greek yogurt.
Provided by Diana71
Categories World Cuisine Recipes African North African Moroccan
Time 1h
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Place olive oil in the hot cooker and fry chicken thighs until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove chicken from the inner pot and set aside.
- Add onion and garlic to the pot, followed by cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, red pepper flakes, and saffron. Cook and stir until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Press Cancel to leave Saute mode.
- Place chicken back into the pot on top of onion mixture. Pour in tomatoes and chicken broth. Sprinkle apricots over the top. Season with salt and pepper. Close and lock the lid.
- Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 15 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
- Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, 10 to 40 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Stir in chickpeas and mint leaves.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 254.1 calories, Carbohydrate 21.6 g, Cholesterol 48.3 mg, Fat 11 g, Fiber 4.1 g, Protein 16.7 g, SaturatedFat 2.6 g, Sodium 516.5 mg, Sugar 7 g
CHICKEN AND CHICKPEA TAGINE WITH APRICOTS AND HARISSA SAUCE
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Heat canola oil in a large Dutch oven or a tagine over high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper on both sides and place in the hot pan, skin side down, in batches if needed; cook until golden brown. Turn the thighs over and cook for 2 minutes longer. Remove chicken to a plate.
- Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the oil from the pan then add the olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the ras al-hanut and cook another 30 seconds. Add the saffron with the soaking liquid, cinnamon stick, tomatoes, chickpeas, and apricots and bring to a simmer. Nestle the chicken into the mixture and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook on the stovetop or in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until the chicken is tender. Do not remove the lid to check on the chicken until this time. Garnish each serving with a dollop of Harissa Sauce, parsley and cilantro.
- Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl and let stand at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator before serving.
CHICKEN TAGINE WITH OLIVES AND APRICOTS
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 2h20m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Sprinkle the chicken all over with 2 teaspoons salt. Refrigerate, uncovered, at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
- Meanwhile, thinly slice 1 lemon; spread out the slices and sprinkle generously with salt on both sides. Stack the slices on a plate and let stand at room temperature, at least 20 minutes and up to 3 hours.
- Pat the chicken dry. Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add 3 tablespoons olive oil. When the oil shimmers, add half of the chicken, skin-side down; cover and cook until the skin is golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a platter. Repeat with the remaining chicken. Discard the excess oil.
- Add the butter, onion, garlic, ginger, coriander, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, saffron and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to the pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes; stir in the cilantro and parsley. Push the onion mixture to one side, then add the chicken to the pot, skin-side up. Spoon some of the onion mixture over the chicken and add 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low; cover and gently simmer, 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine the apricots, 1 cup water and the honey in a medium saucepan over medium heat; cover and cook until the apricots are plump, about 15 minutes. Uncover and cook until the liquid is syrupy, about 15 more minutes; set aside. Cook the almonds in the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Set aside on paper towels.
- Chop the salted lemon slices into small pieces; add to the pot with the chicken along with the olives and the juice of the remaining lemon. Cover and continue cooking until the chicken is tender, about 20 more minutes. Arrange the chicken on a platter. Top with the olive sauce, apricot mixture and almonds. Serve with couscous.
SPICY CHICKPEA TAGINE
This tagine is a deliciously spicy meal that is my go-to dinner for guests, because everyone loves it and it's vegan! I usually pair it with some cumin roasted cauliflower.
Provided by Heather
Categories World Cuisine Recipes African North African Moroccan
Time 40m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Heat oil in a tagine or Dutch oven over medium heat; cook and stir onions and garlic until softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Add turmeric, cumin, agave nectar, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and black pepper and stir until onion mixture is evenly coated. Add just enough water to cover the bottom of the tagine; add carrots and salt. Cook over medium-low for 12 minutes.
- Mix chickpeas into carrot mixture, adding more water if needed to cover the bottom but keeping the sauce thick. Cook mixture for 7 minutes.
- Serve tagine with lemon wedges and cilantro.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 359.6 calories, Carbohydrate 67.2 g, Fat 6.3 g, Fiber 13.9 g, Protein 12.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.8 g, Sodium 785.8 mg, Sugar 9.4 g
CHICKEN AND CHICKPEA TAGINE
Like many dishes that rely on combinations of spices, a tagine, which is a slowly braised stew, may look more intimidating to cook than it is. Even with shortcuts, the results are exotic in flavor and appearance. My version of this tagine may not compare to those that begin with toasting and grinding spices and peeling grapes, but it is easily executed and, I think, divine. Some things to look out for: First, work with dark-meat chicken only and be aware that tagines are on the dry side, so don't add liquid to the sauce unless it is threatening to burn. Home-cooked chickpeas and fresh tomatoes are, of course, preferable to canned varieties, but in this dish the differences are not marked. Do, however, use a vanilla bean, not vanilla extract.
Provided by Mark Bittman
Categories dinner, one pot, main course
Time 1h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Put oil and butter in a large skillet or casserole, which can be covered later, and turn heat to medium high. When butter melts, add onion, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it softens, 5 to 10 minutes. Add garlic, a large pinch of salt and spices. Cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, chickpeas, raisins and vanilla, and bring to a boil. (If mixture is very dry, add about 1/2 cup water.) Taste, and add salt as necessary.
- Sprinkle chicken pieces with salt, and nestle them into sauce. Cover, and 5 minutes later adjust heat so mixture simmers steadily. Cook until chicken is very tender, 45 minutes to an hour. Taste, and adjust seasoning. Then garnish, and serve with couscous.
Tips for Making Chickpea Tagine with Chicken and Apricots:
- Use high-quality ingredients. Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make all the difference in your tagine. Look for plump, juicy apricots and tender chicken breasts.
- Don't skimp on the spices. The spices are what give tagine its characteristic flavor. Be sure to use a generous amount of cumin, coriander, and paprika.
- Cook the tagine low and slow. This will allow the flavors to meld and develop. Simmer the tagine for at least 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and the chickpeas are tender.
- Serve the tagine with your favorite sides. Couscous, rice, or pita bread are all great options. You can also serve the tagine with a dollop of yogurt or a sprinkling of chopped fresh cilantro.
Conclusion:
Chickpea tagine with chicken and apricots is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is packed with flavor and nutrients, and it is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you are looking for a new and exciting recipe to try, give this tagine a try. You won't be disappointed.
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