Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Olives – Easy & Flavorful Recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes   |   Cook Time: 45-50 minutes   |   Total Time: 1 hour   |   Servings: 4-6

This easy Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Olives is a classic North African dish. Tender chicken pieces are marinated in aromatic spices, then baked with carrots and green olives until juicy and full of flavor. The result is a rich, comforting meal with a beautiful sauce that pairs perfectly with bread, couscous, or rice.

Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this tagine is healthy, aromatic, and surprisingly simple to prepare at home.

Ingredients

For the Marinade:

• 1 kg chicken pieces
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ cup olive oil (or less)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ginger powder
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp saffron powder (optional but recommended)
• 1 tsp tomato paste

Other Ingredients:

• 2 carrots, sliced into rounds
• 1 can green olives, pitted
• 1 cup water
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Blanch the olives in boiling water for 5 minutes to remove excess salt, then drain and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, salt, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, coriander, saffron, olive oil, and tomato paste. Mix well to form a marinade.
3. Add the chicken pieces and rub thoroughly until every piece is well coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes (longer is better for deeper flavor).

4. Add the sliced carrots and blanched olives to the marinated chicken. Mix gently.
5. Place the mixture in an oven bag or tagine pot. Add 1 cup of water. Seal the bag loosely (not too tight to prevent explosion) and place it in a baking tray.
6. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 45-50 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and nicely browned.

Tips for Success

• Marinate the chicken for 1–2 hours (or overnight) for deeper and richer flavor.
• Use high-quality green olives for the best taste.
• You can cook this in a traditional tagine pot on the stove instead of the oven if preferred.
• Serve hot with fresh bread, couscous, or rice to enjoy the delicious sauce.

Enjoy this comforting and aromatic Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Olives — a true taste of Morocco at home!