Heat the oil in the base of a tagine or a large, heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat, stir in the garlic, onion and coriander and cumin seeds and cook for 1,5 minutes to allow the flavours to mingle.
Add the chicken thighs and lightly brown on each side.
Pour in the lemon juice and enough water to just cover the chicken.
Stir in the saffron, cinnamon sticks and butter and bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add the preserved lemon rind and olives, re-cover and simmer for a further 10 minutes.
Season to taste and serve hot with the couscous, if liked.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
For spicy chicken & preserved lemon pittas,
heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and a knob of butter in a frying pan or tagine, stir in 2 crushed garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute, then stir in 1½ teaspoons harissa paste and 250–350 g ready-cooked chicken, cut into strips and tossed with 2 teaspoons turmeric. Heat through, then add 1 tablespoon chopped preserved lemon rind and 1 tablespoon chopped coriander. Season and spoon into 4 pitta breads. Serve with dollops of natural yogurt and a sprinkling of chopped flat leaf parsley.