This Is Our #1 Mediterranean Diet Recipe of All Time

I don’t believe in diets, but I do believe in an eating pattern that nourishes your body in a way that prevents disease and promotes good health. That’s why I love the Mediterranean Diet way of eating. It’s less of a diet, and more of a way of life that places focus on consuming mostly plant-based foods, fish and seafood, beans, nuts, seeds and olive oil. It’s anything but boring or “basic.” In fact, these foods can be downright delicious. Take our Chicken Tagine, for example, it’s packed with flavor and it’s the #1 Mediterranean Diet recipe on our site.

Moroccan Chicken Tagine with Olives and Preserved Lemons

Mediterranean Foods and Lifestyle

The food found in the cities, villages and towns along the Mediterranean coast are not just nutritious, but they’re incredibly delicious. Lemon trees are plentiful, but so are grapes, olives, and tomatoes. It’s not only about the food either, it’s about caring for your overall health by making time for rest, relaxation, and enjoying meals together, sans devices and distractions.

Why This Tagine Recipe is #1

To create a great dish, you have to build flavor. The best recipes take individual ingredients and coax the flavor out of them through cooking techniques paired with just the right seasoning. Our chicken tagine recipe begins with preserved lemons and a simple marinade, which creates a well-seasoned base. Then slow-cooking the chicken with olives, herbs, and spices in a tagine deepens the flavors of the dish, adding complexity and balance.

Each step is important to the dish’s success, and it’s why reviewers claim it’s both “excellent” and “awesome.” Chicken is the main ingredient, but it’s the flavors supporting it that make it so special. The preserved lemons, olives, saffron, garlic, herbs, and spices mean this dish is anything but boring.

What To Serve With Chicken Tagine

Any whole grain would be a great pairing for soaking up the big flavors in this tagine. Try bulgur, quinoa, farro or freekeh. Prepare them from dry, or look for a (prepared) frozen or refrigerated version to speed up prep. Add a vegetable side too, but keep it easy! Toss zucchini with olive oil and roast, then toss with a bit of olive juice before serving. Or thinly slice carrots and serve as a salad with lemon juice and any chopped leftover herbs not used for the tagine.