Spiced Game Bird Tagine with Apricots and Almonds

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

A fragrant Moroccan-inspired tagine featuring tender game bird braised with warm spices, sweet dried apricots, and toasted almonds. This mediterranean-inspired game day ready in about 80 minutes pairs (about 1.5 lbs total) game bird thighs, olive oil, large, thinly sliced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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: 65 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 410 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a heavy skillet or tagine pot over medium-high heat. Season 4 game bird thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Brown the thighs for 5-6 minutes per side until golden, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp ground ginger. Cook spices with onion mixture for 1 minute to release aromas.
  4. Step 4: Return the game bird thighs to the pot, add 2 cups chicken broth and 1 cup halved dried apricots. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 50 minutes until the meat is tender and sauce slightly thickened.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with 1/3 cup chopped toasted almonds and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving with couscous or flatbread.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Game Bird Tagine with Apricots and Almonds take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (15 min prep + 65 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 Spiced Game Bird 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Game Bird 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 Spiced Game Bird Tagine with Apricots and Almonds 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 Spiced Game Bird Tagine with Apricots and Almonds?

Mediterranean game day 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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