Spiced Jeddah Chicken Tagine with Apricots

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fragrant slow-cooked chicken tagine featuring warm Middle Eastern spices and sweet apricots, inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Jeddah. This middle eastern-inspired chicken ready in about 70 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, large, thinly sliced onion 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: 55 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 over medium heat. Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs and brown on all sides for 6-7 minutes until golden; transfer to a plate.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large thinly sliced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, and 1/2 tsp ground ginger. Stir continuously for 1 minute to toast the spices.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth and the saffron water soaked from a pinch of threads. Scrape any browned bits from the pot bottom.
  5. Step 5: Return the chicken thighs to the pot. Add 1 cup halved dried apricots, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook gently for 45 minutes until chicken is tender and sauce thickens.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the tagine before serving. Serve hot with couscous or flatbread to soak the sauce.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Jeddah Chicken Tagine with Apricots take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (15 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 Spiced Jeddah Chicken Tagine with Apricots?

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 Spiced Jeddah Chicken Tagine with Apricots?

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 Jeddah Chicken Tagine with Apricots 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 Jeddah Chicken Tagine with Apricots?

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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