30-Minute Chicken Tagine

. From The Best 30-Minute Recipe. Posting for ZWT Tagines are meat stews that feature a blend of sweet and savory ingredients. This will be very HOT coming out of the microwave. Serve the tagine over couscous or rice.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 4

Ingredients

• 2  lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
•  salt & fresh ground pepper
• 2  tablespoons  vegetable oil
• 1  onion, minced
• 2  teaspoons garam masala
• 4  garlic cloves, minced
• 2  tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1  cup low sodium chicken broth
• 1 (14 1/2ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1⁄2 cup  dried apricot, quartered
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed
• 2  tablespoons  minced fresh cilantro

Directions

1. MICROWAVE CHICKEN: Season chicken with salt and pepper and arrange in single layer in ­microwave-safe casserole dish. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and microwave on 50 percent power for 15 minutes.
2. SAUTÉ : While chicken cooks, heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Stir in onion, garam masala, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
3. BUILD SAUCE: Stir in flour and cook until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in broth, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in tomatoes, apricots, and chickpeas, bring to simmer, and cook until apricots begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
4. SIMMER CHICKEN: Reduce heat to low and add microwaved chicken with any accumulated juices. Cover and continue to cook until chicken is tender, about 10 minutes.
5. FINISH: Stir in cilantro and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve.