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Couscous with lemon chicken and seasonal vegetables

17/11/2023

Here’s the recipe for Couscous with lemon chicken and seasonal vegetables, with a Mediterranean twist!

Ingredients

  • 200 g of couscous
  • 300 g of chicken breast
  • 1 organic lemon
  • 2 carrots
  • 1 zucchini
  • 1 red bell pepper (or another seasonal vegetable of your choice)
  • 1 onion
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 500 ml of chicken or vegetable broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Aromatic herbs as you like (such as parsley or coriander)
  • A handful of slivered almonds (optional)

Preparation

  1. Prepare the couscous following the instructions on the package, which usually involves adding the couscous to hot broth, covering, and letting it rest until it has absorbed all the liquid.

  2. Meanwhile, cut the chicken breast into cubes and season them with salt, pepper, and the grated zest of half a lemon. Let it marinate for a few minutes.

  3. Cut the vegetables into cubes or strips, trying to keep a uniform size for even cooking.

  4. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté finely chopped onion and crushed garlic until they become translucent.

  5. Add the marinated chicken and cook until it is golden on all sides.

  6. Add the vegetables and cook for another 5-10 minutes, until they are tender but still crisp.

  7. Flavor with the juice of the remaining lemon and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

  8. Combine the couscous with the vegetables and chicken in the pan and gently mix.

  9. Finish the dish with chopped aromatic herbs and, if you like, with some toasted slivered almonds for a crunchy touch.

For an even more Italian touch, you might add some fresh grated lemon zest and a drizzle of raw extra virgin olive oil to the final seasoning.

Curiosity

Couscous is a very versatile dish that can be adapted to many regional variants. In North Africa, it is typically made with semolina wheat, but there are variations with other cereals such as millet or barley. In Southern Italy, especially in Sicily, couscous is often associated with fish dishes thanks to Arab culinary influences.

Couscous with lemon chicken and seasonal vegetables