Chicken and Chickpea Tagine for the Freezer

• 3 tbspolive oil
• 1.2kgboneless skinless chicken thighs, halved
• 3onions, sliced
• 5garlic cloves, crushed
• 30gginger, grated
• 3 tbspras el hanout
• 1 tspground cinnamon
• 2 tbsptomato puree
• 2 x 400gtins chopped tomatoes
• 500mlchicken stock
• 2 x 400gtins chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 120gdried apricots, halved
• 3carrots, cut into chunks
• 30 mllemon juice
• 30 gcoriander, stalks chopped and leaves torn
• fine salt
• black pepper
• 400gcouscous
• 50gflaked almonds, toasted
• 200gGreek yoghurt (optional)

Method

1. 1Heat the olive oil in your largest casserole over a high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and brown in two batches for 4 minutes each until golden at the edges. Set aside.
2. 2Turn the heat to medium, add the onions with a pinch of salt and cook for 10 minutes until soft and golden. Stir in the garlic, ginger, ras el hanout, cinnamon and tomato puree for 2 minutes until the spices smell warm.
3. 3Return the chicken with the tomatoes, stock, chickpeas, apricots and carrots. Season with 2 teaspoons of salt, bring to a simmer and cook with the lid half on for 40 minutes, stirring now and then, until the chicken is tender and its thickest pieces reach 75°C for 30 seconds, the carrots are soft and the sauce has thickened.
4. 4Stir in the lemon juice and the chopped coriander stalks and half the torn leaves. Taste; the apricots make it sweet, so it needs the lemon and enough salt to balance.
5. 5The 400 g couscous serves eight; use 50 g per person eating tonight and prepare with boiling water according to the packet. Toast the flaked almonds in a dry pan for 2–3 minutes, stirring. Serve the tagine over couscous with the remaining torn coriander, almonds and optional yoghurt.
6. 6Cool the rest within 2 hours and freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat on the hob until piping hot, adding a splash of water if it has thickened.

Per serving

kcal

660

protein

45.9g

fibre

13.1g

carbs

79.2g

fat

17g