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Lemon-Saffron Chicken (Tangia)
Tangia—which originates in Marrakech and often is slow-cooked in the community wood-fired ovens that heat bathhouses—is a stew-like dish of fall-apart tender hunks of lamb bathed in a thick, but spare broth rich with saffron, turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic and lemon. We got a lesson in cooking tangia the traditional way from taxi driver Youssef Boufelja. Lamb is typical, but we use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. In Morocco, preserved lemons lend a gentle acidity, lightening the richness. For an easier version, we get similar flavor from lemon zest and juice—as well as chopped green olives for brininess—added at the end of cooking. Serve with warmed, halved pita bread for scooping up the meat and thickened sauce.
4
Servings
Tip
Don’t reduce the lemon zest or juice. The zest provides both flavor and fragrance, and the juice adds tang and acidity. You'll need 3 to 4 lemons to get 3 tablespoons grated zest; a wand-style grater works best.
1 hour
Ingredients
-
4
teaspoons ground cumin, divided
-
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
Directions
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01In a small bowl, stir together 1 teaspoon of the cumin and 1 teaspoon salt. Set aside. Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper.
Reviews
September 30, 2025
I'm a believer!
Prepared this recipe as written because I like to do that the first time, then I riff to my tastes (pun intended) as I see fit. I will admit, I was a bit concerned about the amount of garlic and even submitted a clarification question. Twelve cloves of garlic was not a typo and this dish is amazing as written. My husband and I loved it! Next time however, I will prepare a pot of basmati or even a bit of fragrant jasmine rice to accompany it. We did have lots of naan to dip into the luscious garlicky-lemony sauce and that's also going to be a standard side to this. This lemon saffron chicken dish reminds me of a similar dish--Murgh Makhani or butter chicken. Absolutely try this dish--if you enjoy Middle Eastern cuisine with all its pungent, rich and warm spices, you will not be disappointed.
June 13, 2022
Worth Making
I bought a tagine, but have never never attempted to use it after discovering this recipe for Tangia. It’s easy to make and so delicious. I use my preserved lemons rather than going to the trouble of preparing lemon zest.
February 11, 2026
Perfect.
This recipe caused me to subscribe to the milk street magazine. I made it nearly 40 years without ever subscribing to a magazine and this recipe broke me. I cook all kinds of things. Persian, Indian, morrocan, Ethiopian, Japanese, Korean, you name it. And just looking at the recipe should tell you this is gonna be fantastic. They don’t lie about the garlic. I see other commenter saying they were shocked that it says 12 cloves… how white are you? I never put less than that in anything other than Japanese food. If you balked at the amount of garlic, you need to re evaluate why you bother cooking at home in the first place. Thanks milkstreet, this recipe became a household favorite instantly.
February 1, 2026
Bone in thighs?
How would I adjust this recipe for bone in thighs?
February 29, 2024
can you make this in a tagine?
Can this dish be made the same way in a tagine?
I have made homemade preserved lemons. I am always looking for dishes to use them in and this seems like an obvious choice. Any tips on quantity and where in the cooking process should I add them?
Hi Janelle,
Our Recipe Developer, Julia Rackow offered the following advice. Depending on the salt content, start with 2 tbsp minced preserved lemons as you add the saffron in the second step. At the very end when you add the olives and lemon zest and juice you can add more minced preserved in place of the lemon zest and juice or follow the recipe as written.
Best,
The Milk Street Team
I can’t wait to try this using the more traditional lamb. I wish the recipe had specified not just what cut of lamb to use, but any other tips to make it the more ‘authentic’ way. I dare say many of your viewers do eat lamb; additionally, I guess I am lucky in that I can find preserved lemon in multiple stores in my area.
I made this in the instant pot with a smaller batch of chicken. It worked. You pressure cook for 15 minutes, allow natural release, then use the saute function to concentrate sauce, add lemons and olives at end.
I recently bought the Moroccan preserved lemons sold on the Milk Street website. In the recipes they recommend using it for, including this LEMON-SAFFRON CHICKEN, they say to add 1-2 Tbs of the preserved lemons for the last 10 minutes of cooking. But is that a substitute for the lemon zest and juice already called for in the recipes? Or should I substitute the preserved lemons for the lemon in the recipe? I love lemons, but it may be too much!
Hi Sydney -
Our Recipe Developer, Julia Rackow offered the following advice. Depending on the salt content, start with 2 tbsp minced preserved lemons as you add the saffron in the second step. At the very end when you add the olives and lemon zest and juice you can add more minced preserved in place of the lemon zest and juice or follow the recipe as written.
Best,
The Milk Street Team
Can this be made a day ahead up to but not including the lemon juice and zest addition...and reheated before serving then adding zest/juice? Would the addition of fresh chopped cilantro at the end be appropriate or compete with other flavors?
Hi Kristin -
We haven't tested make ahead instructions but I think you are right to leave out the lemon and zest until after reheating. I would also leave out the olives as well. Although you could certainly add cilantro, I don't think the dish needs the flavor. If you're looking for an herb to add I'd stick with parsley, which will add freshness without any competing flavor.
Best,
'The Milk Street Team
I, too, have preserved lemons, and am eager to use them instead of the juice and zest. Many recipes that use preserved lemons call for the rind only. When you say "minced preserved lemons," do you mean rind only? And it appears from the various comments/replies that you would stir in 2 Tbl preserved lemon with the water and saffron, and 2Tbl more at the end. Is that right?
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Made with lamb shank. Do not add all the lemon zest, way too strong