Name: Tajine Djaj (Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Apricots)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: African
Ingredients: 500 g Chicken Thigh, bone-in pieces preferred; 1 Onion, thinly sliced; 2 clove Garlic, minced; 1 inch Ginger, grated; 1½ tbsp Olive Oil; ¾ tsp Ground Cumin; ¾ tsp Ground Coriander; ¼ tsp Ground Cinnamon; ¼ tsp Ground Turmeric; ½ tsp Paprika; ¾ cup Chicken Stock, warm; ⅓ cup Dried Apricots, halved; 2 tbsp Almonds, toasted and chopped; 1 tbsp Lemon Juice; ¾ tsp Salt, adjust to taste; ¼ tsp Ground Black Pepper; 2 tbsp Coriander Leaves, chopped, for garnish

Tajine Djaj (Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Apricots)

1 hrtotal

30 min hands-on30 min hands-off

Prep 15 min · Cook 15 min

Serves: 2
Difficulty: Medium
Spice: Mild

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Method

Pat the chicken dry and season it with salt and black pepper.
Heat the measured olive oil in a heavy pan over medium heat. Brown the chicken on both sides, then transfer it to a plate.
Add the onion to the same pan and cook until soft and lightly golden. Add the garlic and ginger and stir until fragrant.
Add the cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric, and paprika. Stir briefly so the spices bloom in the oil without burning.
Return the chicken to the pan. Add the warm chicken stock and dried apricots, then bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
Cover and simmer on low heat until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Turn the pieces once during cooking.
Uncover and simmer briefly if the sauce needs thickening. Finish with lemon juice, toasted almonds, and coriander leaves.

How to tell it's done

The chicken should be tender and fully cooked, and the sauce should be glossy, lightly thick, and dotted with softened apricots.

Getting it right

Tip

Keep the simmer gentle; hard boiling can toughen the chicken before the sauce has time to become glossy.

What to serve it with

Serve with couscous, steamed rice, flatbread, or a simple carrot and cucumber salad.

Substitutions

Boneless chicken can be used, but reduce the simmering time and check that the center is cooked through.
Raisins may replace dried apricots for sweetness, but the fruity tartness will be lower.
Skip almonds for a nut-free household, but review every ingredient label and cross-contact risk before serving someone with a tree-nut allergy.

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