Tajine Zitoune (Olive Tagine)

• Prep time: 20 minutes

• Cook time: 45 minutes

• Total time: 1 hour 5 minutes

• Servings: 4 servings

• Country of Origin: Algeria

• Description: Classic Algerian tagine of chicken cooked in a delicate lemon-thyme yellow sauce enriched with pitted green olives and tender sliced carrots.

• Presentation & How It's Eaten: Arranged neatly on flat rimmed dishes with chicken topped with sliced carrots and surrounded by green olives, eaten with crusty Algerian bread.

• Ingredients:

  • 800g chicken thighs or drumsticks

  • 1.5 cups pitted green olives

  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into thick rounds

  • 1 large white onion, finely chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tbsp smen or butter

  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric

  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger

  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

  • 2 cups chicken broth

  • 1 tsp salt

• Step-by-Step Directions:

  • Blanch Olives: Boil pitted green olives in water for 10 minutes to remove excess salt; drain and set aside.

  • Sauté Chicken: Melt smen in heavy pot; brown chicken pieces with chopped onion and minced garlic for 8 minutes.

  • Season & Simmer: Stir in turmeric, ginger, black pepper, and salt; add chicken broth and bring to simmer.

  • Cook Carrots: Add carrot rounds, cover pot, and cook over medium-low heat for 25 minutes.

  • Finish Dish: Add blanched green olives and lemon juice; cook uncovered for 10 minutes until sauce thickens lightly.

• Optional:

  • Thickening Sarsa: Stir 1 tsp flour mixed with 1 tbsp lemon juice into sauce 5 minutes before turning off heat.

• Cooking Tips:

  • Remove Olive Salt: Always boil green olives beforehand so final dish is not overly salty.

• Nutrition Facts:

  • Calories: ~410 kcal

  • Total Fat: 24g

  • Saturated Fat: 6g

  • Cholesterol: 90mg

  • Sodium: 720mg

  • Total Carbohydrates: 12g

  • Dietary Fiber: 3.5g

  • Sugars: 4g

  • Protein: 36g