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Carhartt Family Wines

Moroccan-Spiced Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon & Olives

Pairs well with the 2022 Estate Rebel Roan

Yield: 4-6
Prep Time: 25 minutes
 | 
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2½–3 lb (1.1–1.4 kg) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs/drumsticks
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1½ tsp ground coriander
  • 1½ tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ¼–½ tsp cayenne (optional)
  • 1½ tsp kosher salt, divided
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 small fennel bulb, cored & thinly sliced (fronds reserved for garnish)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 cup (240 ml) low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1 preserved lemon (rind only), rinsed and thinly sliced
  • 1 cup (140 g) pitted green olives (e.g., Castelvetrano)
  • 1 small cinnamon stick & 1 bay leaf (optional but lovely)
  • Zest of ½ orange (or 1–2 Tbsp lemon juice), to finish
  • Cilantro/parsley and fennel fronds, chopped, for garnish
  1. Spice rub & (optional) marinate.
     In a bowl, combine cumin, coriander, paprika, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, black pepper, cayenne, and 1 tsp salt. Pat the chicken dry. Toss with 1 Tbsp olive oil and the spice mix. Marinate 30 minutes at room temp (or cover and refrigerate up to overnight).
  2. Sear the chicken.
     Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a tagine base or Dutch oven over medium-high. Place chicken skin-side down; sear until deeply golden, 6–8 minutes. Flip for 2 minutes more. Transfer to a plate. Pour off excess fat, leaving ~1 Tbsp in the pot.
  3. Build the base.
     Add onion, fennel, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until softened and lightly caramelized, 5–7 minutes. Stir in garlic and tomato paste; cook 1 minute to bloom.
  4. Layer & simmer.
     Add stock, preserved lemon, olives, cinnamon stick, and bay leaf. Scrape up browned bits. Nestle chicken skin-side up; bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook over low heat 35–40 minutes (or in a 325°F/165°C oven 40–45 minutes) until the chicken is very tender.
  5. Finish.
     Uncover and simmer a few minutes to thicken if needed. Remove cinnamon/bay leaf. Adjust salt (start with the remaining ½ tsp), then brighten with orange zest or lemon juice.

Pair with the 2022 Estate Rebel Roan.