Chicken Tagine with Spices

This flavorful dish brings together tender chicken simmered with aromatic spices for a warm and comforting meal. Perfect for sharing with family or friends, it’s a delicious way to explore rich, bold flavors.

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TIME5 hr 30 min

SERVINGS4

RATING5.0 / 5

01 / WHAT YOU NEED

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil 8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 eggplant, cut into 1 inch cubes 2 large onions, thinly sliced 4 large carrots, thinly sliced ½ cup dried cranberries ½ cup chopped dried apricots 2 cups chicken broth 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons garlic salt 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon cinnamon ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 cup water 1 cup couscous

02 / HOW TO MAKE IT

Let's cook.

Step 1

Start by heating some olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and eggplant, stirring occasionally, and cook until the chicken is nicely browned all over but not fully cooked through. Once browned, take the skillet off the heat.

02

Step 2

Transfer the chicken and eggplant to the bottom of your slow cooker. On top, spread out the sliced onion, carrots, dried cranberries, and apricots.

03

Step 3

In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, tomato paste, lemon juice, flour, garlic salt, cumin, ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper until everything is well combined. Pour this flavorful mix over the chicken and veggies in the slow cooker.

04

Step 4

Set the slow cooker to high and let it cook for about 5 hours, or if you prefer, set it to low and leave it for 8 hours to let the flavors deepen.

05

Step 5

When you’re ready to serve, bring some water to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in the couscous, then take the pan off the heat. Cover it and let it sit for about 5 minutes until the couscous has absorbed all the water. Fluff it up with a fork before serving alongside your tagine.

03 / EXTRA DETAILS

Good to know.

Cook's tip

- Use fresh spices for the best aroma and flavor.
- Brown the chicken well before simmering to add depth to the dish.
- If you don’t have a tagine, a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven works just as well.

Why you’ll love it

This dish is full of warm, aromatic spices that bring out the rich flavors of the chicken. It’s comforting and perfect for sharing with family or friends. The slow cooking process makes the meat tender and juicy every time.

Serving ideas

Serve with fluffy couscous or warm flatbread to soak up the sauce. A side of roasted vegetables or a simple green salad complements the spices nicely and adds freshness to the meal.

Storage & leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. This dish also freezes well for up to 2 months.