Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Vegetables – Exotic Recipes for Dinner

Alright, picture this: the moment you open your kitchen door, warm spices like cumin, cinnamon, and ginger swirl through the air, beckoning you to the table. That’s exactly what happens when I make this Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Vegetables. The colors alone—golden chicken, vibrant carrots, and jewel-toned dried fruits—feel like a little festival right at home. The tender chicken simmers slowly in a fragrant, spiced sauce until it’s fall-off-the-bone perfect, while the veggies soak up all those rich flavors. If you love meals that taste like a warm hug from a faraway place, this one’s for you. Plus, I’ve got some tips to make it simple enough for any weeknight dinner—no exotic cookware required!

Quick Facts

• Yield: Serves 4
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Ingredients

For the Main Dish:

• 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 large carrots, cut into chunks
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 medium zucchini, sliced thick
• 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
• 1/2 cup green olives, pitted and halved
• 1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for mild heat)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

How I Make It

Step 1:

Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Pat the chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Brown the chicken on both sides, about 4 minutes per side, until the skin is golden and crispy. Don’t crowd the pan; do this in batches if needed. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Step 2:

In the same pot, add the sliced onions and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.

Step 3:

Sprinkle in the cumin, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Stir constantly to toast the spices, about 1 minute, to unlock their aromas.

Step 4:

Add the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, carrots, and bell pepper. Stir to combine, then nestle the browned chicken thighs back into the pot. Bring to a simmer.

Step 5:

Cover and reduce the heat to low. Let it gently simmer for about 45 minutes, until the chicken is tender and cooked through (165°F internal temp). Add zucchini, olives, and dried apricots during the last 15 minutes so they stay vibrant and soft without getting mushy.

Step 6:

Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro or parsley to brighten it all up. Serve it piping hot with fluffy couscous or crusty bread to soak up every drop of that luscious sauce.

Variations & Tips

• Swap chicken thighs for bone-in drumsticks or breasts if preferred, but thighs stay juicier and more flavorful.
• If you don’t have dried apricots, raisins or chopped dates work great too.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with chickpeas and double the veggies.
• No tagine pot? A heavy Dutch oven or any large covered skillet does the job just fine.
• Add a splash of fresh lemon juice before serving to add a nice zing.
• Make it ahead! Flavors deepen overnight, making this perfect for leftovers or meal prep.

How I Like to Serve It

This dish pairs beautifully with fluffy couscous or creamy mashed potatoes on a cozy night in. When the weather cools off, a warm loaf of crusty bread is perfect to scoop up that aromatic sauce. For a hint of freshness, I add a simple cucumber and mint yogurt salad on the side to balance the warmly spiced flavors.

Notes

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days — reheat gently on stove to keep chicken tender.
• If you want to speed this up, use boneless chicken thighs and reduce simmer time to 30 minutes.

Closing: This Moroccan Chicken Tagine never fails to fill my kitchen with irresistible aromas and my table with hearty, comforting goodness—give it a try and spice up your weeknight dinners!