Braised Chicken Tagine with Apricots and Almonds
An aromatic North African-inspired chicken stew slow-braised with sweet apricots and toasted almonds. This north african-inspired chicken ready in about 75 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, large onion, sliced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup dried apricots, halved
- 1/3 cup toasted slivered almonds
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs, seasoned with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, skin side down, and brown for 6-7 minutes until golden. Flip and cook 4 more minutes, then remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large sliced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant. Stir in 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground ginger, and 1 tsp turmeric powder; cook for 1 minute until spices bloom.
- Step 3: Return the chicken to the pot and pour in 2 cups chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, cover, and braise gently for 35 minutes.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup halved dried apricots and continue cooking uncovered for another 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and chicken is tender.
- Step 5: Garnish with 1/3 cup toasted slivered almonds and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving over couscous or rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Braised Chicken Tagine with Apricots and Almonds take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (20 min prep + 55 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Braised Chicken Tagine with Apricots and Almonds?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Chicken Tagine with Apricots and Almonds?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Braised Chicken Tagine with Apricots and Almonds for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Braised Chicken Tagine with Apricots and Almonds?
North African chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
