Herbed Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Savor tender chicken thighs braised in a fragrant blend of preserved lemon, olives, and fresh herbs, simmered to perfection in a tagine-style dish. This middle eastern-inspired chicken ready in about 75 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, lemon preserved lemon, thinly sliced, green olives, pitted for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 60 min Serves 4 Middle Eastern cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or tagine over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground ginger, and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Season 6 bone-in chicken thighs with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then add them skin-side down to the pot. Brown the chicken for 6-8 minutes per side until golden.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup chicken broth, add 1/2 preserved lemon thinly sliced and 1 cup pitted green olives. Stir gently, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 45 minutes until chicken is tender.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley just before serving to add fresh herb flavor.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Herbed Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives take to make?

Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Herbed Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives?

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 Herbed Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives?

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 Herbed Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Herbed Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives?

Middle Eastern 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.

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