Spiced Sour Cherry and Chicken Tagine

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

A fragrant North African-inspired chicken stew combining tender chicken thighs with tart sour cherries and warm spices. This north african-inspired chicken ready in about 70 minutes pairs Dried sour cherries, large, thinly sliced Onion, minced Garlic cloves 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 50 min Serves 6 North African cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or tagine over medium-high heat. Season 6 chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and brown them skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until golden and crispy, then flip and brown the other side for 3-4 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same pot, add 1 large thinly sliced onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp ground ginger, cooking spices for 1 minute to release aromas.
  4. Step 4: Add 3/4 cup dried sour cherries, 1 tbsp honey, and 2 cups chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
  5. Step 5: Return the browned chicken thighs to the pot, submerging partially in the liquid. Cover and simmer gently for 35-40 minutes until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
  6. Step 6: Uncover and simmer for an additional 5 minutes to slightly thicken the sauce.
  7. Step 7: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro just before serving. Serve with couscous or crusty bread.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Sour Cherry and Chicken Tagine take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 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 Sour Cherry and Chicken 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 dried sour cherries from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Sour Cherry and Chicken 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 Spiced Sour Cherry and Chicken 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 Spiced Sour Cherry and Chicken Tagine?

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.

Related recipes