Honey Chicken Date Tagine Recipes

HONEY CHICKEN & DATE TAGINE

Steps:

• Cut the chicken into 6 equal pieces and then rub in the paprika and turmeric. Let the chicken sit while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
• Add the butter, olive oil, diced onions, coriander, cumin and sliced lemon to a frying pan and sauté for 3 minutes.
• Brown the chicken pieces in the same frying pan for 2 minutes on each side, then place the chicken in the tagine base.
• Turn off the heat and add the honey, roughly chopped garlic cloves, dried dates and mint leaves and season. Stir and then add this to the tagine base, before adding two cups of water. Season with cracked black pepper and place the tagine lid onto the base.
• Turn oven to 160 degrees and bake for 3 hours.
• If you are using an earthen tagine, it is important to bring the oven and tagine up to heat together i.e.: do not place tagine in a hot oven. If you are using a tagine with a cast iron base, you can prepare using that on the stove top and put it straight into a pre heated oven.
• If you do not have a tagine, you can follow the recipe above exactly and use an earthen or ceramic casserole dish instead.

CHICKEN TAGINE WITH DATES AND HONEY

Steps:

• Cut the chicken into bite size pieces. Heat 1/2 of the olive oil in a saucepan or casserole and gently fry the chicken until browned all over.
• Heat the other 1/2 of the olive oil add fry off the onion and garlic. Add the spices, stir well and fry gently for another minutes.
• Return the chicken to the saucepan / casserole. Add the stock, water and salt and pepper to taste. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour with the LID ON.
• Remove the lid. Simmer for a further 30 minutes or until the chicken is nice and tender and the sauce has thickened a little.
• Add the dates, honey and nuts. Mix well. Sprinkle with coriander and serve with steamed cous cous, rice, or fresh bread.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN AND APRICOT TAGINE

Steps:

• Gather the chicken ingredients.
• Combine the spices in a bowl large enough to hold the chicken.
• Add the chicken and toss to evenly coat the pieces with the spices.
• Gather the remaining tagine ingredients.
• Over medium-low heat, melt the butter in the base of a large tagine or Dutch oven.
• Add the olive oil, onions, garlic, and cinnamon stick .
• Add the seasoned chicken, meat-side down, in a single layer on top of the onions.
• Place the cilantro bouquet on top. Add the broth to the tagine.
• In the bowl used to season the chicken, swirl the water to cleanse it of the spices.
• Add the water to the tagine.
• Cover and leave the liquids to reach a simmer over medium-low heat.
• Once simmering , cook the chicken, undisturbed, for 1 hour.
• Remove 1/2 cup of the cooking liquids and set aside.
• Carefully turn over the chicken pieces so that they are meat-side up.
• Cover the pan and continue simmering for another 30 minutes to 1 hour, until the chicken is done and the liquids are thick and reduced.
• While the chicken is cooking, put the apricots in a small pot and cover with water.
• Simmer the apricots over medium heat, partially covered, for 10 to 15 minutes, or until tender enough to pinch in half with your fingers.
• Drain the apricots and return to the pot.
• Add the sugar (or honey), ground cinnamon, and the 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking liquid.
• Simmer the apricots gently for 5 to 10 minutes, or until they are sitting in a thick syrup.
• Discard the cilantro bouquet and cinnamon stick from the tagine.
• Arrange the chicken on a large serving platter (or simply leave in the base of the tagine). Spoon the apricots and syrup on and around the chicken. If desired, garnish with fried almonds or sesame seeds.