Tagine of Chicken, Preserved Lemon, & Olives

Ingredients

• 2-4 cloves garlic, minced
• olive oil, for pan-frying chicken and mixing marinade (or any oil)
• 1-2 chicken, cut into serving sized pieces (or similar amount of chicken breasts)

Spices

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 pinch saffron
• 1 teaspoon cumin (optional)
• 1 teaspoon turmeric (optional)
• 1 cinnamon stick or 3-5 pinches ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1 teaspoon coriander (optional)
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth or chicken stock (or water)
• 1 cup green olives
• 2 preserved lemons, cut into slices (see recipe I have posted)
• salt, to taste

Directions

1. 1

   Mix the garlic, some black pepper, and a spoonful of oil.

2. 2

   Rub the chicken with the mixture and set aside for a few hours or overnight.

3. 3

   Heat the oil in a large dutch oven (or tagine cooking pot, if you have one).

4. 4

   Fry the chicken until all sides begin to brown.

5. 5

   Add spices.

6. 6

   (The black pepper, ginger, and saffron are most typical. If you have no saffron, consider one or two of the optional spices, which can be added according to you liking.) Add onions.

7. 7

   Stir-fry over high heat for a few minutes.

8. 8

   Add chicken broth, stock, or water.

9. 9

   Bring to broil.

10. 10

    Reduce heat.

11. 11

    Cover, but leave a crack for steam to escape.

12. 12

    Simmer over low heat for thirty minutes or more.

13. 13

    Add olives and preserved lemons.

14. 14

    Add salt and adjust seasoning.

15. 15

    Continue to simmer.

16. 16

    Remove chicken and set aside.

17. 17

    If necessary, bring sauce to boil, stirring continuously, until thickened.