Mediterranean Chicken Tagine with Figs, Olives & Pistachios
Discover the vibrant flavors of North Africa with this exquisite Mediterranean Chicken Tagine featuring tender chicken thighs, sweet figs, savory olives, and crunchy pistachios. This dish combines warm spices like cinnamon and turmeric with zesty lemon and garlic, creating a rich and aromatic sauce that's perfect for any gathering. Cooked slowly in a crockpot, this delightful recipe is both easy to prepare and a showstopper at the dinner table. Serve it over fluffy couscous or with warm crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
4
Servings
550
Calories
21
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
4 tablespoons (divided)
Ground coriander
2 teaspoons (none)
Ground cumin
2 teaspoons (none)
Ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
Turmeric
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
Grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon (none)
Lemon juice
2 1/2 tablespoons (divided)
Harissa paste
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
Chicken thighs (skin removed)
8 (none)
Onions (chopped)
2 (none)
Carrots (sliced into coins)
2 (none)
Garlic (minced)
2 cloves (none)
Grated ginger
2 teaspoons (none)
Button mushrooms (halved)
6 ounces (none)
Dried figs (coarsely chopped)
8 large (none)
All-purpose flour
2 tablespoons (none)
Chicken stock
1 3/4 cups (none)
Tomato paste
2 tablespoons (none)
Pitted black olives
3/4 cup (none)
Shelled pistachio nuts (or pine nuts)
1/3 cup (none)
Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
2-3 tablespoons (none)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, ground coriander, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, turmeric, grated lemon zest and juice, and harissa paste to create a fragrant spice mix.
2
Generously coat the chicken thighs with the spice mixture, ensuring an even coverage for maximum flavor.
3
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken thighs on all sides until golden, then transfer them to a crockpot.
4
In the same skillet, add chopped onions, sliced carrots, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté the mixture for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
5
Stir in the halved button mushrooms and coarsely chopped dried figs, then gradually sprinkle in 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour while stirring to combine. Cook the mixture for about 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste.
6
Slowly whisk in 1 3/4 cups of chicken stock, tomato paste, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil to ensure the flavors meld.
7
Pour the fragrant vegetable and fig mixture over the browned chicken in the crockpot, stirring to combine thoroughly.
8
Cover and cook on high for 3 to 5 hours or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender.
9
About 20 minutes before serving, gently stir in the pitted black olives and shelled pistachio nuts, allowing them to warm through.
10
To serve, garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and enjoy the medley of flavors.
Nutrition Information
27.5g
Fat
32.5g
Carbs
40g
Protein
6.25g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mediterranean Chicken Tagine with Figs, Olives & Pistachios?
It is a North African-inspired dish featuring tender chicken thighs slow-cooked with sweet dried figs, savory black olives, and crunchy pistachios in a fragrant, spiced sauce.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What is the recommended cooking time in a crockpot?
The chicken should be cooked on high for 3 to 5 hours until it is thoroughly cooked and tender.
What are the primary spices used in this tagine?
The dish uses a blend of ground coriander, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, turmeric, and harissa paste for a rich, aromatic flavor.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 550 calories.
Is the chicken skin removed for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 8 chicken thighs with the skin removed.
What type of nuts can be used in this dish?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of shelled pistachio nuts, but pine nuts can be used as an alternative.
What kind of figs should I use?
The recipe requires 8 large dried figs, coarsely chopped.
When should I add the olives and pistachios?
Stir in the pitted black olives and pistachios about 20 minutes before serving to allow them to warm through.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 40 grams of protein in each serving of this tagine.
Do I need to brown the chicken before putting it in the crockpot?
Yes, browning the spice-coated chicken in a skillet first helps to lock in flavor and achieve a golden color.
How much fat is in one serving?
One serving contains 27.5 grams of fat.
What vegetables are included in this recipe?
The recipe includes chopped onions, sliced carrots, and halved button mushrooms.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 32.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What should I serve with this Mediterranean Tagine?
It is best served over fluffy couscous or with warm crusty bread to soak up the aromatic sauce.
Is harissa paste necessary?
Harissa paste adds essential heat and depth to the spice mix, though the amount used is relatively small (1 1/2 teaspoons).
How much fiber does this dish contain?
This recipe provides 6.25 grams of fiber per serving.
How do I thicken the tagine sauce?
The sauce is thickened by stirring 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour into the vegetable and fig mixture before adding the stock.
How much chicken stock is needed?
You will need 1 3/4 cups of chicken stock for the sauce.
What aromatics are used in the base?
The base uses 2 cloves of minced garlic and 2 teaspoons of grated fresh ginger.
What is the purpose of browning the flour?
Cooking the flour with the vegetables for about 1 minute helps eliminate the raw flour taste before liquids are added.
Can I use lemon juice from a bottle?
While you can, the recipe uses fresh lemon for both zest and juice, totaling 2 1/2 tablespoons of juice.
How many olives are used in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of pitted black olives.
What kind of oil is best for this recipe?
Olive oil is used both for the spice mixture and for sautéing the ingredients.
Is this dish considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy meal featuring lean protein and fiber-rich ingredients like figs and vegetables.
What is the garnish for this dish?
The tagine is traditionally garnished with 2-3 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley.
How much tomato paste is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of tomato paste to enrich the sauce.
How do you prepare the spice mix?
Combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, lemon zest, juice, and harissa paste in a bowl.
Can I use other mushrooms?
The recipe specifically calls for 6 ounces of halved button mushrooms, but similar varieties like cremini would also work well.
What flavor profile can I expect?
Expect a savory, spicy, and slightly sweet flavor profile with a rich, aromatic sauce.