Libyan Chicken and Chickpea Tagine
A fragrant and comforting stew featuring tender chicken pieces, chickpeas, and a blend of aromatic spices simmered in a rich tomato and vegetable broth.
🧂 Ingredients
- 700 g Chicken thighs(bone-in, skin-on, cut into pieces)
- 400 g Chickpeas(canned, rinsed and drained, or 150g dried, soaked overnight and cooked)
- 2 medium Onions(chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 400 g Tomatoes(diced)
- 500 ml Chicken broth
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Coriander
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Ginger(grated)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
- for serving Lemon wedges
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
- 2
Add chopped onions to the pot and cook until softened and lightly golden, about 5-7 minutes.
- 3
Stir in minced garlic, grated ginger, turmeric, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 4
Add diced tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- 5
Return the chicken to the pot. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- 6
Cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is almost cooked through.
- 7
Add the rinsed and drained chickpeas to the pot. Stir well and continue to simmer, covered, for another 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender, and the sauce has thickened.
- 8
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Stir in fresh cilantro just before serving.
- 9
Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side. This tagine is excellent with couscous or crusty bread.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Using bone-in, skin-on chicken adds more flavor to the stew.
- ✓If using dried chickpeas, ensure they are fully cooked before adding to the tagine.
- ✓A tagine pot can be used for a more traditional cooking experience, but a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot works well.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other vegetables like diced carrots, potatoes, or bell peppers along with the onions.
- For a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped chili pepper.