Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Olives – Easy & Flavorful Classic Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes   |   Cook Time: 50 minutes   |   Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes   |   Servings: 4-6

This classic **Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Olives** is a beloved North African dish featuring tender chicken pieces marinated in warm spices, cooked with carrots, onions, and green olives in a rich, aromatic sauce. It is healthy, comforting, and full of authentic Moroccan flavors that will impress your family and guests.

Chicken Tagine with Olives is one of the most popular tagine recipes in Moroccan cuisine. The combination of tender chicken, sweet carrots, briny olives, and fragrant spices like ginger, saffron, and coriander creates a perfect balance of savory and tangy flavors. Traditionally cooked in a clay tagine pot, this version uses an easy oven bag method that delivers the same delicious results with less effort.

This recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners, weekend family meals, or special occasions. It is naturally gluten-free and pairs beautifully with couscous, rice, or warm bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 kg chicken pieces
• 1 jar pitted green olives
• 1 cup water
• 2 carrots, sliced into rounds
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• ¼ cup vegetable or olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp ginger powder
• 1 tsp saffron powder (or a pinch of saffron threads)
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• Extra parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Boil the olives in water for 10-15 minutes to remove excess saltiness, then drain and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix chopped onion, garlic, all the spices (salt, black pepper, ginger, saffron, coriander), parsley, oil, and tomato paste. Add the chicken pieces and rub the marinade well into the chicken. Let it rest for 30 minutes if possible.
3. Add the sliced carrots and drained olives to the chicken mixture and mix everything together.
4. Transfer the mixture into an oven bag or baking dish. Add 1 cup of water. Seal the bag loosely (not too tight) to prevent it from bursting.
5. Place the bag in a baking tray and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 45-50 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and nicely browned. Open the bag in the last 10 minutes for extra browning if desired.
6. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve hot with rice, couscous, or bread. Enjoy!

Tips for Success

• Marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes (or longer) gives deeper flavor.
• Boiling the olives first removes excess salt and improves the final taste.
• You can cook this in a traditional tagine pot on the stove instead of the oven.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or ras el hanout for extra Moroccan aroma.
• This dish tastes even better the next day after the flavors have melded.

Enjoy this authentic and flavorful **Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Olives** — a classic North African recipe that brings warmth and rich spices to your table!