Perfect Pairings: Discover the Best 7 Sides for Chicken Tagine

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Tagine refers to a slow-simmered stew that is cooked in covered earthen pots.

Native to Morocco, Tagine refers to the conical pot in which this dish is cooked; however, the stew came to be known by that name with time.

This dish is cooked with onion, garlic, preserved lemons, spices, and olives.

The chicken is braised in spices mix for a while in this dish before being slow-cooked in the Tagine pot.

Chicken Tagine has fantastic flavors, and experiencing these with a side dish heightens the experience.

If you want to get an authentic Moroccan meal experience but have no idea what to serve with Chicken Tagine; check out these 7 side dishes listed below.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Chicken Tagine?

Chicken Tagine is not very spicy, however, the flavors are layered and denser than a regular stew.

These layers of flavor are best unpacked with appropriate side dishes.

Some main dishes don’t taste as good as they are paired with a side dish.

In the case of Chicken Tagine, there are a select few dishes that complement its flavors in the best possible way.

Most of these dishes have origins in the same region as Tagine Chicken.

However, dishes that aren’t strictly from the Middle East also complement this dish.

What To Serve With Chicken Tagine? 7 BEST Side Dishes

1. Za’louk- Moroccan Eggplant Salad

Za’louk is an eggplant-based salad dish that is cooked with tomatoes.

In Moroccan culture, even salads are somewhat cooked. Za’louk can be prepared in various ways.

It is like a traditional Moroccan dip that goes with any kind of main dish or bread.

It is made by grilling the eggplant first or tossing all the diced ingredients into a pan until they soften.

The ingredients required to make this dish are easily available.

You can easily give it a try alongside Chicken Tagine to experience the authentic Moroccan way of food.

2. Potato, Carrot and Rice Salad

It is another Moroccan salad that needs you to turn on the flame.

In this dish, potatoes and rice are boiled until tender; they are cooled and then diced to add cooked and cooled rice.

Mayonnaise and Cumin are enough to give it a characteristic flavor.

This dish can be a perfect side to your Chicken Tagine as it will beautifully soak up the Tagine flavors when mixed with it.

At the same time, it has its taste that doesn’t overpower the Tagine.

If you are looking for a mild side dish with a nice texture with Tagine, here’s your newest experiment.

3. Loubia- Moroccan White Beans

Loubia is a Moroccan side dish made of white beans cooked with tomatoes, onion and garlic, parsley and spices.

It may contain lamb as well.

It is a wholesome hearty dish that takes care of your taste buds and your nutritional needs at the same time.

Loubia can be eaten as a main dish; however, in the presence of complex flavors like Tagine, this dish acts as an effective side.

4. Ras-el Hanout Roasted Carrots

Ras-el Hanout translates as “top-shelf” or ‘head of the shop’.

Ras-el Hanout is a mixture of eight aromatic spices traditionally used to marinate meat.

It is also used in making Tagine and other kinds of stews. It is also used in other kinds of dishes.

Carrots are tossed in olive oil and thoroughly peppered with garlic, salt and Ras-el Hanout spice blend.

It is then baked to crunchy, flavorful perfection.

If you are running low on time but want a nutritious hassle-free side dish to go with your main dish, you should go for roasted carrots in Ras-el Hanout.

5. Moroccan Beet Salad

For Moroccan Beet Salad, beet can be prepared in many ways.

The key is to tenderize the beet slices, so a pressure cooker whistle might work best for this recipe.

The tenderized beet slices are mixed with finely diced onions, tomatoes and cabbage and drizzled with a suitable dressing.

It is a simple enough dish that is healthy and full of nutrients that will enhance the flavors of the Chicken Tagine recipe.

6. Pita Bread

Simple enough, no Middle Eastern meal is complete without there being bread on the table.

Different types of bread originate from this region, yet Pita remains the most popular.

It is relatively easy to make and is a fulfilling and hearty addition to the flavorful Chicken Tagine.

Pita bread is a staple of this region and it is almost religious to have pita bread in every Mediterranean house.

Bring along a few other side dishes and sit around a table with everyone in your family to feel the traditional style of sharing Mediterranean meals.

7. Moroccan Green Beans

A wholesome green beans recipe would be another light addition to your rich and hearty Tagine recipe.

Moroccan green beans are deliciously light, flavorful, juicy and nutritious.

They are quite easy to make and take less than 30 min to finish.

You need to boil them until softened and then sautee them in olive oil, garlic, and herbs.

If you want that extra tweak in your green beans, add some balsamic vinegar to the mix and voila, we are done.

If you are short on ingredients but want a side dish, choose this recipe.

Conclusion

Chicken Tagine is rich in Mediterranean flavors, and a side dish is an unsaid norm in these dishes.

Though this article mainly lists out Moroccan sides, there may be hundred other kinds of dishes that complement this dish as well.

Feel free to come up with your experiments with different Mediterranean foods and the best side dishes to combine them with.

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