Tajine Zitoune Recipe
Tajine Zitoune is a traditional Algerian stew featuring tender chicken thighs simmered with green olives, fragrant spices like cumin, paprika, and saffron, and savory chicken broth. This rich and comforting dish is perfect served over fluffy couscous or rice, enhanced with a final drizzle of olive oil for authentic Mediterranean flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Algerian
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Olives
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs
- 1 cup pitted green olives
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Spices
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp saffron threads
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatics: Start by finely chopping the onion and mincing the garlic. These will build the flavorful base of the stew.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until translucent and softened. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, making sure not to burn it.
- Brown the chicken: Increase heat to medium-high. Add the boneless chicken thighs to the pot and brown them on both sides, about five minutes per side. This step enhances the meat’s flavor with a caramelized crust.
- Add spices and broth: Sprinkle the ground cumin, paprika, saffron threads, salt, and pepper evenly over the browned chicken. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth until it nearly covers the chicken pieces to create a rich cooking liquid.
- Simmer with olives: Bring everything to a gentle simmer. Add the pitted green olives to the pot. Cover the pot and let it simmer for about 20 minutes until the chicken is tender and fully cooked, and the flavors meld beautifully.
- Serve: Serve the Tajine Zitoune hot over couscous or rice. Drizzle with a little extra olive oil to finish the dish with a luscious Mediterranean touch.
Notes
- Use boneless chicken thighs for tenderness and quicker cooking.
- If saffron is unavailable, a pinch of turmeric can be substituted but will alter the classic flavor.
- Adjust the salt according to the saltiness of the olives used.
- Serve with couscous or steamed rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
- For a deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in the spices for an hour before cooking.
Keywords: Tajine Zitoune, Algerian chicken stew, green olive chicken, Mediterranean chicken recipe, African cuisine
Find it online: https://tastybella.com/tajine-zitoune-recipe/
