Main Course · Dinner · North African ·

Spicy Moroccan Chickpea Tagine with Preserved Lemons

Name: Spicy Moroccan Chickpea Tagine with Preserved Lemons
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 105 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Ground cumin, 1 tsp; Ground coriander, 1 tsp; Smoked paprika, 1 tsp; Ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp; Cayenne pepper, 1/4 tsp; Olive oil, 2 tbsp; Large onion, finely chopped, 1; Garlic, minced, 3 cloves; Diced tomatoes with juice, 1 can (14 oz); Vegetable broth, 2 cups; Chickpeas, drained and rinsed, 2 cans (15 oz each); Carrots, sliced, 2; Red bell pepper, chopped, 1; Zucchini, sliced, 1; Chopped preserved lemons, 1/4 cup; Salt and pepper to taste; Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

This Moroccan-inspired tagine offers a delicious blend of spices, chickpeas, and tangy preserved lemons for a rich, savory main course.

4.1(261 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·January 28, 2026

Spicy Moroccan Chickpea Tagine with Preserved Lemons — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

35 min

Cook

1 h 45 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Spice Mix

For the Tagine Base

For the Chickpeas & Vegetables

For the Final Assembly

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 314 kcal
Protein: 12.7 g
Carbs: 49 g
Fat: 10.2 g
Fiber: 9.4 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1255 kcal
Protein: 50.6 g
Carbs: 195.9 g
Fat: 40.8 g
Fiber: 37.6 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Ground cumin 1 tsp	8	0.4	0.9	0.5	0.4
Ground coriander 1 tsp	5	0.3	1.1	0.2	0.7
Smoked paprika 1 tsp	6	0.3	1.2	0.3	0.9
Ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp	3	0.1	0.9	0	0.5
Cayenne pepper 1/4 tsp	1	0	0.3	0.1	0.1
Olive oil 2 tbsp	239	0	0	27	0
Large onion, finely chopped 1	44	1.2	10.3	0.1	1.9
Garlic, minced 3 cloves	13	0.6	3	0	0.2
Diced tomatoes with juice 1 can (14 oz)	70	3.5	15	0.4	4
Vegetable broth 2 cups	30	2	5	0.2	0.5
Chickpeas, drained and rinsed 2 cans (15 oz each)	700	38	116	10	20
Carrots, sliced 2	50	1	12	0.2	3.5
Red bell pepper, chopped 1	37	1	9	0.4	3
Zucchini, sliced 1	33	2.4	6.1	0.6	2
Chopped preserved lemons 1/4 cup	15	0.2	5	0.1	0.3
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish	1	0.1	0.1	0	0.1

These estimates are not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Spice Mix

1
Combine spices
Combine cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl.
2
Mix thoroughly
Mix well to ensure an even blend.
3
Set aside
Set aside for the tagine base preparation.

Chopping and Sautéing

1
Heat oil
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Tip: Use a heavy-bottomed pot for even heat distribution.
2
Sauté onions
Add chopped onions and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
3
Add garlic and spices
Stir in minced garlic and prepared spice mix, cooking for another 2 minutes until aromatic.
Tip: Do not let the garlic burn as it will turn bitter.

How to Make Spicy Moroccan Chickpea Tagine with Preserved Lemons

Total time: 2 h 20 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Building the Base
Add diced tomatoes and vegetable broth to the pot, bringing to a simmer.
2
Incorporating Vegetables
Add chickpeas, carrots, red bell pepper, and zucchini. Stir well.
3
Adding Flavor
Gently fold in preserved lemons. Simmer on low heat for 50 minutes.