Ingredients:
2 pounds chicken pieces (legs, thighs, or a whole chicken cut into pieces)
2 onions, finely chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 preserved lemon, pulp removed and rind cut into strips (optional)
½ cup green olives, pitted
Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
Heat the olive oil in a tajine or a large, deep skillet over medium heat.
Add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the tajine and cook until the onions are soft and translucent.
Place the chicken pieces in the tajine, skin side down, and cook for about 5 minutes until browned. Then flip the chicken pieces and brown the other side for an additional 5 minutes.
Add the ginger, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the tajine. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly with the spices.
Pour in enough water to cover the chicken about halfway. Stir in the preserved lemon strips (if using). Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the tajine with a lid, and let it simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Stir occasionally and add more water if needed to maintain a saucy consistency.
Add the green olives to the tajine and simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Remove the tajine from the heat and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley.
Serve the tajine hot with bread.
Note: You can customize your tajine by adding other vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, or bell peppers. Just chop them into bite-sized pieces and add them along with the chicken. Adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure all the ingredients are cooked through.
Enjoy your homemade Moroccan chicken tajine!
