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Spiced Chicken Couscous

17/11/2023

Here’s a recipe for a delicious Spiced Chicken Couscous with an Italian twist. North African and Italian cuisine share a love for fresh ingredients and rich flavors, so this variation should blend the two traditions harmoniously.

Ingredients

  • 300 g of couscous
  • 500 g of chicken breast
  • 1 onion
  • 2 carrots
  • 1 zucchini
  • 1 red pepper
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 800 ml of chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon of sweet paprika
  • A pinch of chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • A bunch of fresh parsley
  • (Optional) A handful of raisins and toasted almonds for garnish

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the chicken. Cut the chicken breast into approximately 2 cm cubes and season them with cumin, coriander, turmeric, paprika, chili, salt, and pepper.

  2. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan and sauté the chicken cubes until they are golden. Once cooked, remove them from the pan and set aside.

  3. In the same pan, add a bit more oil and sauté the finely chopped onion and crushed garlic cloves until they become translucent.

  4. Add the carrots, zucchini, and red pepper cut into similarly sized cubes and cook until the vegetables start to soften.

  5. In the meantime, prepare the couscous by following the instructions on the package, substituting water with chicken or vegetable broth for more flavor.

  6. Once the couscous is ready, add the chicken to the vegetables in the pan, mix well and let it flavor for a few minutes.

  7. Add the couscous to the pan with the chicken and vegetables, combine the lemon juice and adjust with salt and pepper.

  8. Before serving, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and, if you like, garnish with raisins and toasted almonds to add crunchiness and a hint of sweetness.

Spiced Chicken Couscous is open to numerous variations: for example, you can add chickpeas for an extra protein touch, or saffron for a more distinct and colorful note. For an even more Italian flavor, you can use aromatic herbs such as rosemary or thyme to season the chicken.

Curiosity

In North Africa, couscous is a traditional dish and is often prepared with a variety of meats and vegetables. Its versatility has made it popular around the world, and in Italy, it has found a second home, having been adopted and adapted creatively in regional kitchens.

Spiced Chicken Couscous