One-Pot Spiced Chicken and Chickpea Tagine
A fragrant one-pot Moroccan-inspired chicken stew simmered with chickpeas, tomatoes, and warming spices for a hearty dinner. This mediterranean-inspired chicken (mediterranean) ready in about 55 minutes pairs (about 2 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, large, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 (about 2 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large, diced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 15-oz can, drained and rinsed canned chickpeas
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- for serving lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Pat dry 6 bone-in chicken thighs and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Brown chicken thighs skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until golden and crisp, then flip and brown the other side for 3 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 1 large diced yellow onion to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 1/2 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper. Cook while stirring for 1-2 minutes until spices are fragrant.
- Step 3: Pour in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with their juices and 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to deglaze. Stir in 1 15-oz can drained chickpeas and season with remaining 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Return the browned chicken thighs to the pot, nestling them into the sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes until chicken is tender and cooked through.
- Step 5: Remove the lid and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
- Step 6: Serve hot with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spiced Chicken and Chickpea Tagine take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 One-Pot Spiced Chicken and Chickpea Tagine?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Spiced Chicken and Chickpea Tagine?
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 One-Pot Spiced Chicken and Chickpea Tagine 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 One-Pot Spiced Chicken and Chickpea Tagine?
Mediterranean 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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