Worth The Hunt
The Recipe · No.1217 · Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives

Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives, and where to source it

Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives — Worth The Hunt WORTH THE HUNT Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives Moroccan 5best2buy.com

Rinse the preserved lemon and use only the soft rind, adding it in the last fifteen minutes; boiled from the start the whole fruit turns the sauce metallic and bitter.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep25 min plus marinate
Cook1 hr
MakesServes 4
CuisineMoroccan
Cost$$$
Gluten-freeDairy-free
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
bone-in chicken thighs and legs
8 pieces
1.5 kg
Local / market
preserved lemon
1
1
cracked green olives
1 cup
150 g
Local / market
onion, grated
1
150 g
Local / market
garlic, grated
4 cloves
4 cloves
Local / market
saffron threads
1 pinch
1 pinch
ground ginger and cumin
1 tsp each
to taste
Local / market
cilantro and parsley
1 bunch
1 bunch
Local / market
olive oil
3 tbsp
45 ml
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●● Squeaky clean
About as virtuous as dinner gets. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Instant PotSlow cookerOne-pot
The Method
  1. Rub the chicken with grated onion, garlic, saffron, ginger, cumin, chopped herbs, and oil and marinate.30 min
  2. Lay the chicken in the tagine or a heavy pan, add a cup of water, cover, and braise gently over low heat.35 min
  3. Turn the pieces and simmer until the sauce reduces and the meat pulls from the bone.15 min
  4. Rinse the preserved lemon, scrape out and discard the pulp, and slice the rind into strips.5 min
  5. Add the lemon rind and olives, simmer fifteen minutes more, and finish with fresh herbs.15 min
The Toolkit

Tagine or heavy pan · Box grater · Wooden spoon

Straight Answers
Can you make Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives in an air fryer? — Yes, with an insert

Not on its own — an air fryer can’t hold a pool of liquid. You can simmer it in an oven-safe dish or a silicone insert made to fit the basket, but the broth won’t reduce or brown the way it does on the stove, and that insert comes out scorching, so use oven mitts. For real depth, a pot on the stove wins.

Can you freeze Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it holds well and often tastes better the next day. Make it ahead and reheat gently before serving.

Is Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Olives vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

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© 2026 5best2buy · Worth The Hunt · Recipe No.1217