Main Course · Dinner · African ·

Spicy Tunisian Charmoula Chicken with Preserved Lemon

Name: Spicy Tunisian Charmoula Chicken with Preserved Lemon
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Fresh cilantro, 1 cup, chopped; Fresh parsley, 1 cup, chopped; Preserved lemon, 2 tablespoons, finely chopped; Garlic, 4 cloves, minced; Ground cumin, 1 tablespoon; Ground coriander, 1 tablespoon; Ground paprika, 1 teaspoon; Cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon; Olive oil, ¼ cup; Fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons; Salt and pepper, To taste; Chicken thighs, 4, bone-in, skin-on; Olive oil, 2 tablespoons; Preserved lemon, 1, finely diced; Red onion, 2 tablespoons, finely chopped; Fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon; Olive oil, 1 tablespoon

This dish combines spicy Tunisian charmoula with tangy preserved lemon, creating a robust and aromatic flavor profile perfect for any occasion.

4.4(385 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 19, 2025

Spicy Tunisian Charmoula Chicken with Preserved Lemon — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Charmoula Marinade

For the Chicken

For the Preserved Lemon Relish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 575 kcal
Protein: 39.5 g
Carbs: 6.5 g
Fat: 45.5 g
Fiber: 2 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2300 kcal
Protein: 158 g
Carbs: 26 g
Fat: 182 g
Fiber: 8 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Fresh cilantro 1 cup, chopped	2	0.2	0.4	0	0.3
Fresh parsley 1 cup, chopped	4	0.3	0.6	0.1	0.4
Preserved lemon 2 tablespoons, finely chopped	5	0.1	1	0	0.2
Garlic 4 cloves, minced	18	0.8	4	0	0.2
Ground cumin 1 tablespoon	22	1.1	2.6	1.3	1.4
Ground coriander 1 tablespoon	20	0.9	3.7	0.6	2.1
Ground paprika 1 teaspoon	6	0.3	1.2	0.3	0.7
Cayenne pepper ½ teaspoon	3	0.2	0.6	0.2	0.3
Olive oil ¼ cup	477	0	0	54	0
Fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons	8	0.1	2.7	0.1	0.1
Salt and pepper To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Chicken thighs 4, bone-in, skin-on	960	120	0	60	0
Olive oil 2 tablespoons	239	0	0	27	0
Preserved lemon 1, finely diced	15	0.3	4	0.1	1
Red onion 2 tablespoons, finely chopped	4	0.1	1	0	0.2
Fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon	4	0	1.4	0	0
Olive oil 1 tablespoon	120	0	0	13.5	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Chicken

1
Combine Ingredients
In a bowl, combine cilantro, parsley, preserved lemon, garlic, cumin, coriander, paprika, cayenne, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
2
Coat Chicken
Rub the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it's well-coated.
3
Refrigerate
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally overnight.

Preparing the Relish

1
Mix Relish Ingredients
In a small bowl, mix the preserved lemon with red onion, lemon juice, and olive oil.
Tip: ⚠ Important: Make sure to rinse preserved lemons if they are heavily salted.
2
Meld Flavors
Stir well and let sit for at least 15 minutes to meld flavors.
3
Set Aside
Set aside for serving.

How to Make Spicy Tunisian Charmoula Chicken with Preserved Lemon

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Grill Chicken
Preheat the grill to medium-high. Grill marinated chicken skin-side down first until cooked through and charred.
2
Make Relish
Mix preserved lemon and ingredients as noted in preparation. Let sit.
3
Check Doneness
Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
4
Timing & Heat Guide
Marination: 1 hour (or overnight) Grilling: 25-30 minutes Heat Guide: • Grilling Chicken: Medium-high heat • Keeping Chicken Warm: Low heat