Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 medium chicken thighs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 onion, julienned
  • 3 cloves garlic, slivered
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/4 teaspoon powdered saffron threads
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken stock, low sodium canned chicken broth or water
  • 1 cup pitted mild green olives, such as cerignola, rinsed if salty
  • Peel of 1 or 2 preserved lemons, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley leaves
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves
  • Lemon juice, to taste, optional

Method

  • In the bottom of a tagine (or, in a heavy Dutch oven), heat the olive oil until hot.
  • Season the chicken thighs on both sides with the salt and pepper, and ground ginger and sear until golden brown on the skin side, 4 to 6 minutes.
  • Turn the chicken thighs to the other side, add the onion and garlic, and continue to cook until the vegetables are wilted, about 4 minutes longer.
  • Add enough broth or water to come halfway up the sides of the chicken pieces.
  • Add the cinnamon sticks, bay leaf and saffron and stir so that the spices are combined with the cooking liquid.
  • Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat so that the sauce simmers, and cook the chicken, turning frequently, until tender, about 1 hour.
  • Add the olives, and lemon peel and continue cooking, uncovered, until very tender and falling from the bone, about 30 minutes longer.
  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken pieces to a serving platter and cover to keep warm.
  • Increase the heat under the tagine and cook until the sauce is reduced to a thick consistency, about 10 minutes longer.
  • Add, parsley, cilantro and lemon juice to taste, if desired.
  • Discard the cinnamon sticks.
  • Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve immediately.