Easy Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Dates & Honey

Let the aromas of cumin, cinnamon, and sweet dates transport your kitchen to Marrakech.

This Easy Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Dates & Honey brings the warm, aromatic flavours of North Africa straight to your kitchen with minimal effort. Tender chicken thighs are slow-cooked with a blend of earthy spices, sweet carrots, and fresh orange juice, then finished with honey and dates for a perfect sweet-savoury balance. Make it hands-off in your slow cooker or simmer it on the stovetop, either way, your home will smell incredible.

I love cooking in a traditional tagine – it’s a beautiful experience. But I know most people don’t have one just sitting around. That’s why this recipe is a game-changer. We’re taking all those incredible Moroccan flavours and making them the easy way, in your slow cooker or a simple pot on the stove.

The best part? You get all the magic with none of the fuss. If you use the slow cooker, you can literally set it and forget it, freeing you up for the afternoon. And no matter which method you choose, your house will fill with the most amazing, cozy smell that tells everyone dinner is going to be good. Trust me, the sauce that forms is absolute liquid gold. It’s the kind of dish you’ll find yourself craving on a chilly night.

Why You’ll Love This Tagine

This recipe takes the exotic, complex flavours of a traditional tagine and makes them completely achievable for a regular weeknight. Here’s why it works:

• Authentic Flavour, Easy Method: It delivers the deep, warm, and sweet-savoury taste of a classic tagine without needing any special equipment.
• Set-and-Forget Simplicity: The slow cooker option does all the work for you. Just brown the chicken, add everything to the pot, and walk away for a few hours.
• The Sauce is Everything: The combination of spices, orange juice, honey, and dates creates a rich, glossy sauce that’s so good you’ll want to drink it.
• Feeds a Crowd Comfortably: It’s a perfect one-pot meal for family dinners or casual entertaining, easily stretching to serve 4-6 people.
• Makes the House Smell Amazing: The blend of cinnamon, cumin, and ginger simmering away creates the most welcoming, cozy aroma.

What is a Tagine?

In Moroccan cooking, “tagine” refers to two things: the iconic clay pot with a cone-shaped lid, and the slow-cooked stew you make inside it. That clever lid traps steam and cycles moisture back down, so everything inside cooks in its own rich juices, becoming incredibly tender without much added liquid. This recipe captures all that flavour and tenderness using your everyday slow cooker or Dutch oven instead.

How To Make Easy Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Dates & Honey

1. Brown the chicken in a pan to build flavour, then place it in your slow cooker or set aside.
2. Cook onions, carrots, and garlic in the same pan. Add the spices, stock, and orange juice.
3. Pour this mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 5 hours. (For stovetop, return the chicken to the pan, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.)
4. Stir in the dates and honey and cook a little longer until the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Serve the tender chicken and rich sauce over fluffy couscous or rice.

My Top Tips

• Brown Well: Don’t rush browning the chicken. A good sear adds deep flavour to the whole dish.
• Spice Bloom: Take a minute to cook the spices with the onions and garlic. It wakes up their oils and makes the flavour richer.
• Chicken Choice: Stick with bone-in, skin-on thighs or drumsticks. They stay juicy during the long cook. Breast meat will dry out.
• Sweet Balance: Taste the sauce after adding the honey and dates. If it’s a bit sharp, add another teaspoon of honey to round it out.
• Make it Ahead: This tastes even better the next day. Let it cool and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days—the flavours get even friendlier.

What to Serve With The Chicken

This tagine is a full-flavoured meal on its own, but it’s even better with the right sides. For the classic experience, serve it over a big pile of fluffy couscous, it’s perfect for soaking up every bit of that incredible sauce. A simple side of warmed flatbread or crusty bread is also essential for scooping and dipping. To add a fresh contrast, a crisp cucumber and tomato salad or a plate of quick-pickled red onions cuts through the richness beautifully. For a real feast, add some lemony hummus and olives to the table to start.

Storage & Reheating

Fridge: Let the tagine cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavours improve overnight.

Freezer: This dish freezes very well for up to 3 months. Freeze it in portion-sized containers for easy meals. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating: Gently reheat in a covered saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. If the sauce has thickened too much, add a splash of water or stock to loosen it. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.

Easy Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Dates & Honey

FAQ’s

I hope this Easy Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Dates & Honey brings a little warmth and adventure to your dinner table. It’s proof that the most flavourful, comforting meals don’t have to be complicated. Give it a try this weekend and let the incredible aromas do their magic. Don’t forget to leave a comment below and tell me how it turned out for you!

More Recipes To Try:

• Lamb Meatballs with Harissa & Chickpeas
• Beef in Red Wine Casserole with Carrots & Potatoes
• 5 Ingredients Sticky Curried Honey Chicken
• Red Wine Braised Lamb Shanks (Fall-Apart Tender)
• Middle Eastern Chicken & Rice One Pot