Instant Pot Tagine: How Long Does It Take?

Cooking a tagine in a traditional clay pot can take hours, but using an Instant Pot can significantly reduce the cooking time. The exact cooking time will depend on the ingredients used and the recipe followed, but most recipes for chicken tagine call for around 30 minutes of cooking time in an Instant Pot, while a lamb tagine can be cooked in around 40 minutes.

Browning the chicken

Firstly, season the chicken thighs with salt and ground black pepper on both sides. This will enhance the flavour of the chicken and help to create a golden crust. Turn on the 'Saute' mode on your Instant Pot and wait for the pot to heat up. Once the pot is hot, add some olive oil. Place the chicken thighs in the pot, skin side down first, and sear until both sides are nicely browned. You can do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot.

If you prefer, you can also pan-sear the chicken in a skillet and then transfer it to the Instant Pot. This step should take around 5 minutes in total.

After browning the chicken, remove it from the pot and set it aside. You can now add other ingredients to the pot, such as onions, garlic, spices, and broth, to create a flavourful base for your tagine.

It is important to note that browning the chicken is not always necessary, and some recipes may instruct you to skip this step. However, it can add depth of flavour and improve the appearance of the dish.

Additionally, if you are using frozen chicken, it is recommended to add 2 minutes to the browning time to ensure even cooking.

Making the sauce

To make the sauce for a chicken tagine, you'll first want to brown the chicken thighs. Set your Instant Pot to sauté on high, and sauté the chicken thighs in batches until they're crisp and browned. Set them aside.

Now you can make the sauce. Add shallots, garlic, ginger, and spices like cumin, turmeric, and cinnamon to the pot. Sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. If the mixture looks too dry, use a little chicken stock to deglaze the pan.

Once the onion is soft, stir in the tomato paste, chicken stock, apricots, some pistachios, brown sugar, and tomatoes. You can also add saffron and red pepper flakes for extra flavour.

Return the chicken to the pot and turn to coat. Secure the lid, making sure the steam valve is in the 'sealing' position.

If you want a thicker sauce, you can remove the chicken after pressure cooking and add a slurry made from cornstarch and cold water. Press the sauté mode and return the sauce to a boil.

Now you're ready to serve your tagine!

Cooking the dish

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• Chicken thighs (boneless and skinless)
• Spices: cumin, turmeric, cinnamon
• Tomatoes, two ways: tomato paste and canned diced tomatoes
• Shallots
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Chicken stock
• Apricots
• Pistachios
• Brown sugar
• Lemon juice (optional)
• Chickpeas
• Couscous (for serving)
• Red onion (optional)
• Fresh mint (optional)

Method

Now that you have gathered all the ingredients, it is time to start cooking! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the chicken tagine in your Instant Pot:

• Pat the chicken dry and season with salt.
• Set your Instant Pot to sauté on high. Add olive oil and heat for about 3 minutes.
• Working in batches, add the chicken and cook until browned, about 5 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
• Add the shallots, garlic, ginger, and spices (cumin, turmeric, cinnamon). Cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. You can use chicken stock to deglaze the pan if needed.
• Stir in the tomato paste, chicken stock, apricots, pistachios, brown sugar, and canned tomatoes. Combine well.
• Return the chicken to the pot and coat with the sauce.
• Secure the lid, ensuring the steam valve is in the 'sealing' position.
• Set the pot to pressure-cook on high for 8 minutes.
• Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release the remaining pressure.
• Open the lid and transfer the chicken to a cutting board.
• Add the chickpeas to the pot and stir to combine.
• Using two forks, shred the chicken.
• Return the shredded chicken to the pot along with the lemon juice (if using). Stir to combine.
• Your chicken tagine is now ready to be served! Serve it over cooked couscous and top with optional red onion and fresh mint.

Variations

The beauty of tagine is that you can be creative and experiment with different ingredients. Here are some variations and additional ingredients that you can include:

• Butternut squash: Cut the squash into wedges and place them on top of the chicken while cooking. The squash will absorb the flavours and thicken the sauce.
• Dates: Add pitted and halved dates to the stew for a honeyed sweetness.
• Lamb: Instead of chicken, you can use lamb shoulder or stew meat. Cut into 1.5-2 inch cubes and follow a similar cooking process.
• Vegetables: Feel free to add extra vegetables like carrots, onions, or eggplant.
• Olives: Include green olives or kalamata olives for a savoury touch.
• Preserved lemon: Chopped preserved lemon adds a unique tangy flavour to the dish.
• Tfaya: This Moroccan condiment made with caramelized onions and raisins can be served as a side or added directly to the tagine.

Tips

• If you prefer a thicker sauce, create a slurry by mixing cornstarch and cold water. Add this to the sauce after pressure cooking and simmer until it thickens.
• If you are using bone-in chicken thighs, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Remember to always season your meat generously with salt and pepper.
• You can brown the chicken in a separate skillet if you prefer.
• Don't be afraid to experiment with different spices and ingredients to find your perfect flavour combination.

Releasing the pressure

Once the pressure is released, you can unlock and remove the lid. At this point, your tagine is ready to be served! You can also stir in additional ingredients, such as chickpeas, mint leaves, or olives, to enhance the flavour of the dish.

If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can create a slurry by mixing cornstarch and cold water. By pressing the "Saute" mode, you can return the sauce to a boil and thicken it.

It's important to note that the timing for releasing pressure may vary depending on the specific model of your instant pot and the ingredients used in your tagine. Always refer to the manufacturer's instructions and adjust the timing as needed.

Serving suggestions

Tagine is a flavourful dish that can be served for almost any type of event, from casual to fancy. It can be served with a Greek salad and bread to soak up the gravy, or with couscous, rice, or pita. For a little crunch, you can serve it with falafel. A cucumber salad would be a refreshing side dish, and a Moroccan beet salad would be a bright, vibrant contrast to the warm, slow-cooked flavour of the tagine.

For a more filling meal, you can serve tagine with Greek yoghurt, and top it with toasted almonds. You can also serve it with a side of Moroccan chicken and whole-grain couscous. For a more western take, serve it with a Greek salad and bread to mop up the gravy.

Frequently asked questions