Chicken and Chickpea Tagine

Chicken and Chickpea Tagine
Craig Lee for The New York Times
Total Time
1 hour
Rating
5(2,843)
Notes
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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.

Featured in: THE MINIMALIST; A Shortcut To Morocco

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 2tablespoons corn or canola oil
  • 2tablespoons butter
  • 1large onion, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt
  • Pinch nutmeg
  • ½teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Pinch cayenne
  • 1½ to 2cups chopped tomatoes (canned are fine; drain excess liquid)
  • 4cups chickpeas (canned are fine; drain and rinse first)
  • ½cup raisins or chopped pitted dates
  • ½vanilla bean
  • 8chicken thighs, or 4 leg-thigh pieces, cut in two
  • Chopped cilantro or parsley leaves
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

1813 calories; 89 grams fat; 23 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 36 grams monounsaturated fat; 21 grams polyunsaturated fat; 149 grams carbohydrates; 27 grams dietary fiber; 37 grams sugars; 107 grams protein; 1686 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    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 ½ cup water.) Taste, and add salt as necessary.

  2. Step 2

    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.

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5 out of 5
2,843 user ratings
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Cooking Notes

I used boneless, skinless thighs, added another onion, doubled all the spices and used half of a cinnamon stick instead of the ground cinnamon. I used fresh tomatoes and included the juices. I also added some chicken broth because for my family it's all about the gravy. Served over couscous with cilantro; it was delicious.

This was super tasty, but I made it per some of the recommendations posted here, and my own meddling.
Definitely double the spices - at least the cumin, coriander, and cayenne (not the vanilla, though). I also added a pinch of tumeric and 5 garlic cloves instead of 2. Instead of adding water, I drained the diced tomatoes and reserved the juice. If it needed more liquid I used that instead. I chose pitted dates, as I prefer them, and had it with quinoa instead of couscous.

Greetings Ulrich. I think Mark is pointing out that a tajine is traditionally not a dish with abundant sauce. Sauce tends to be only an inch or so deep. Be aware that your cast-iron Le Creuset, a lovely piece of equipment, is not a traditional tajine. In the Magreb they are made of terra cotta and the bottom is shallower than the Le Creuset version. When the sides are higher, there is more sauce than in those found in Morocco. Lower sides mean a dryer dish.

First time I cooked this exactly as is. Very good. Second time I seriously upped spices, except vanilla and cinnamon. Superb!

I make traditional Tagines and the addition of tomatoes and chickpeas sparked my interest. So I followed the recipe with two additions and one modification. I added preserved lemon and olives (how can you call it Tagine without preserved lemons and olive). I put the raisins in the couscous where they belong. It was delicious and will make again

The chickpeas/tomato combination stands alone as a tasty vegetarian dish. The recipe can easily be prepared for vegetarians and others at the same time.

LIked it very much. But I felt compelled to do some highly orthodox changes. I couldn't resist browning the chicken, and I couldn't look at the lovely fond on the pan without a quick wine deglazing (not very Moroccan!), finally I ran the chicken thighs briefly under the broiler before serving. At any event, a great dish!

I got an appetizing appearance by dusting the chicken with flour and browning it in hot oil for 5 minutes or so. Then I removed the chicken, made sure I had the right oil/butter mix and proceeded with the recipe -- but with these upgrades: bumped up the nutmeg and cayenne to 1/4 tsp.; doubled the ginger, cumin, coriander and black pepper; and added 1/2 tsp. turmeric. A little of the tomato juice helped prevent extreme dryness. This is really good.

I have no idea what "most tagines are on the dry side" means. I have a tagine (LeCreuset), and all the recipes I've used so far make sure there's enough liquid when you start (i.e. when you put the lid on and let it simmer on the stove top) so that when you open it, you're hit by a fragrant steam and everything is incredibly moist--and tasty because the liquid condenses inside the lid and then drips back, making sure everything has intermingled with everything else.

I made this in the crock pot. I shredded the chicken thighs into the stew and served over rice. It was delicious! Next time I'll add half the raisins at the start and the other half midway; I'd like to taste the texture.

Followed recipe & notes. Doubled spices. Doubled onion. Used 5 cloves garlic. Added 1/2 cup dried pitted figs to 1/2 cup raisins. May have inadvertently tripled the coriander. Used cast iron 10 Inch. Added water Falling off the bone in 45 minutes. No pre-browning just snugged them in the sauce. Used canning pot lid and it sorta looked like a tagine as it was domed and extended past the iron pan edges. Bought whole legs and cut them. Yes to spices. Yes to tagine. Yes to North African food!

I gave this recipe a try today. I made 2 substitutions. My bride, for reasons that escape me, refuses to eat dark meat. So I substituted skinless chicken breasts for the chicken thighs. I used Ethiopian "Kibe" or spiced butter oil to saute the onions and garlic. The Ethiopians make this with about 13 herbs, spices, plus onion and garlic and then boil it down until its clarified. Real good stuff. The dish came out perfectly.

Herb it up a bit with some tarragon or oregano for more intrigue. Also, adding a shot of brandy with a squeeze of fresh lemon for acidity deepens the flavor profile.

I love this recipe--very easy, especially if all the ingredients are on hand. I also doubled the spices (excepting cinnamon). I only used four thighs without reducing the rest, so no problem with dryness.

I serve with raita made with yogurt, cucumber shreds, and chopped mint.

I too wonder how you can call it tagine without the preserved lemons.

excellent! enjoyed by all! used two onions and doubled spices browned chicken separately with flour coating as suggested by others chopped dates adds to the flavor profile

Delicious, even with a few deviations from the recipe. I used chicken breasts, seared and removed them before proceeding with the recipe. Added some olives (cured black olives ) like others suggested, and served over quinoa. Definitely a staple!

Awesome! Cooked as is.

Try to reduce as well as chop the dates if they are big. It’s good nonetheless

2 cups chickpeas, soaked As written spices 2-3 teaspoons Oaktown spice shop tagine mix 1-2 sweet potatoes in large chunks A bunch of carrots in 2inch pieces 1/2-1 cup chopped parsley 15 oz canned tomatoes ~7 each pitted dates and prunes

Adding a main component of this dish seemed odd, so I’d didn’t even try. Instead of the vanilla bean I just added random ingredients like olives that I deemed appropriate instead of trying the recipe once as written. It was great!

Great dish. Great flavors. Doubled the spices and used dates. Next time might try boneless thighs or would brown the thighs on the bone

Knowing that my spices were old I doubled the amounts given. Left out the vanilla. Fast and delicious I’ll make this again.

This recipe is easy, wonderful and so flavorful! Definitely will make it again. Thanks, Mark!

Add half lemon then when finished serve w wedge

Agreed that this is not a tangine. It's a sweet spicy chicken stew. Once I gave up the idea of tangine it worked, but I won't make it again.

Delicious! Received a tagine for a gift and was not sure if Moroccan-style cuisine would be a hit in our house but everyone LOVED it - the flavor profile was smooth and pleasant thx to the vanilla. Don’t be shy - give this one a go!

Made mostly according to the directions with a few additions: browned the thighs in a frying pan before starting. Added green olives and used a mixture of dates, raisins, and craisins. I thought it was great. Not a big hit with my teenagers nor my wife who didn’t care for the “explosions of sweet” in a savory dish. Probably won’t be making it again even though I liked it a lot.

Tagine is not served with couscous.

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