Romantic V-Day Dinners from Around the World

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Morocco: Chicken Tagine

A Moroccan masterpiece, chicken tagine is a slow-cooked dish that blends savory, sweet, and aromatic spices into every tender bite. Traditionally cooked in a tagine pot, this dish fills the kitchen with warm, exotic aromas—the perfect way to set the mood for a romantic evening. Served in a beautiful, rustic dish, it’s meant to be shared and savored slowly, creating an intimate, cozy dining experience.

Ingredients (for 4 servings):

• 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp paprika
• ½ tsp turmeric
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• 1 cup dried apricots, halved
• ¼ cup almonds, toasted
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 pinch saffron (optional)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large tagine or Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown the chicken for 3-4 min. per side, then set aside.
2. In the same pot, cook the onion and garlic until soft. Stir in cumin, cinnamon, ginger, paprika, turmeric, salt, and pepper, cooking for 1 min. until fragrant.
3. Return the chicken to the pot and pour in the chicken broth. Add apricots, saffron, and honey, then cover and simmer for 45-50 min., stirring occasionally, until the chicken is tender.
4. Stir in lemon juice and toasted almonds. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley.
5. Plate the tagine over fluffy couscous or warm flatbread, allowing the sauce to soak into every bite.