Chicken Tagine with Apricots and Almonds

First of all, I would like to point out that I don't own a tagine, so I just used a skillet (but renaming this recipe chicken skillet with apricots and almonds just didn't seem right). Side note: if you know me, that was not me dropping a hint that I want a tagine, so please don't get me one for my birthday. Don't get me wrong, they're lovely, but I'm not willing to carve out room for one of those bad boys in my cabinet. It will be regifted. Or maybe used as a planter. Hopefully I won't be faced with that decision. Anyway, tagine or no tagine, this recipe is delicious (so flavorful from the spices, plus a little sweet from the apricots with a nice crunch from the almonds).

CHICKEN TAGINE WITH APRICOTS AND ALMONDS

Makes 4 servings

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cardamom

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon turmeric

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 (3 lb.) chicken, cut into 6 pieces, wings and backbone discarded

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 medium red onion, halved, then sliced ¼-inch thick

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 1/2 cups chicken stock (or water)

1 tablespoon mild honey

1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick

1/2 cup dried apricots, roughly chopped

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley

1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted and cooled

1.      Stir together ground cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, paprika, turmeric, cumin, coriander, black pepper, cayenne, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large bowl. Add chicken and turn to coat well. Can make ahead and marinade overnight.

2.      Heat butter and remaining 1 tablespoon oil in base of a 10- to 12-inch tagine (or heavy skillet), uncovered, over moderate heat until hot but not smoking. Brown half the chicken, skin sides down, turning over once, 8 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Brown remaining chicken in same manner, adding any spice mixture left in bowl.

3.      Remove some of the chicken fat from the tagine, leaving about 3 tablespoons. Add onion and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, uncovered, stirring frequently, until soft, about 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of the chicken stock, all the chicken, plus any juices accumulated on plate. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 30 minutes.

4.      While chicken cooks, bring honey, remaining 1 cup stock, cinnamon stick, and apricots to a boil in a 1- to 2-quart heavy saucepan, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until apricots are very tender (add more water if necessary). Once apricots are tender, simmer until liquid is reduced to a glaze, 15-20 minutes.

5.      Ten minutes before chicken is done, add apricot mixture and fresh herbs to tagine. Remove the cinnamon stick, then serve chicken sprinkled with almonds on top.

slightly adapted from Gourmet, May 2006 (originally adapted from Baija Lafridi)

spices

oil added

spices and oil mixed

chicken coated with spice/oil mixture

browning the chicken (although it already
looks pretty brown from the spices)

flipped

red onion

crushing garlic into the cooked onions

adding chicken stock

adding the chicken back

chicken added back

dried apricots

chopped apricots, cinnamon and honey

adding chicken stock

reduced down to a glaze

apricot mixture added to chicken

herbs added to chicken

I almost forgot to sprinkle on the almonds, but
remembered at the last minute (see photo at the top). They
add a nice crunch, along with almond flavor of course.

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