Moroccan Chicken With Whole Wheat Couscous Recipes

MOROCCAN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Make the spice blend: Toast the cinnamon stick, both peppercorns, cumin, coriander, allspice, cloves and cardamom in a small dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, 2 minutes; let cool. Grind in a spice grinder or mini food processor with the ginger, turmeric, cayenne, nutmeg and 1 teaspoon salt. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks; use leftover spice blend as a rub for meat or fish.
• Make the couscous: Heat the butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons spice blend and the saffron, if desired, in a large skillet over medium-high heat until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Add the couscous and stir until toasted, about 1 minute. Stir in the warm broth, remove from the heat, cover and set aside until the couscous is plump, about 7 minutes. Add the lemon juice and fluff with a fork. Transfer to a bowl and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon spice blend.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN AND WHOLE GRAIN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Prepare the couscous according to package directions.
• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat, and cook until tender. Mix in bay leaves, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Place chicken in the pot, and cook until well browned. Pour garbanzo beans, tomatoes, and broth into the pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 25 minutes.
• Mix carrots and zucchini into pot. Season with salt. Continue cooking 10 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Serve stew over cooked couscous.

MOROCCAN-INSPIRED CHICKEN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Make the seasoning rub. In a small bowl or glass measuring cup, add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, tomato paste, garlic, and spices. Whisk to combine.
• Pat the chicken dry and season with kosher salt and black pepper on both side. Pour about 3/4 of the rub you just made all over the chicken (reserve the rest for later) and toss to make sure all the pieces are well coated. Set aside for now.
• Put the vegetables and onions in a mixing bowl. Season with kosher salt and black pepper and pour the remaining seasoning rub. Toss to combine.
• Transfer the chicken and vegetables to a large baking pan or rimmed sheet pan.
• Bake in the center of the heated-oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and the juices run clear. The vegetables should also soften and gain some char.
• While the chicken and veggies are baking, prepare the couscous. Boil the water or both until bubbling. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a saucepan. Add the couscous and cook, tossing regularly, until the couscous is toasted to golden brown. Season with kosher salt and ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon. Add the boiled water. Immediately turn the heat off and cover the saucepan. Leave the couscous undisturbed for 10 minutes, the couscous should absorb all the liquid. When ready, add the fresh parsley and fluff the couscous with a fork.
• When the chicken is fully cooked through, remove it from the oven. Spoon the couscous between the chicken pieces and allow it about 5 minutes to sop up some of the pan juices. Finish with the raisins, if you like.

RUDY'S MOROCCAN STEWED CHICKEN WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large deep skillet or a wide pot over medium-high heat.
• Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides, place them in the pan, and cook them for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they brown thoroughly. Remove chicken to a clean bowl, reserving any juices (at this point the chicken should not be fully cooked).
• In the same skillet, add the onions and saute, stirring occasionally, until slightly browned, about 10 minutes. Remove onions to the bowl containing the chicken.
• If necessary, add a bit more olive oil to the skillet and let it get hot. Add the sliced zucchini and saute, stirring occasionally, until slightly browned.
• While the zucchini is cooking, measure the spices (cayenne pepper, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, ginger and coriander) into a small bowl and combine.
• Add the chicken and onions, along with the collected juices, back to the pan. Add the garbanzo beans, tomatoes with their juices, spices, and chicken stock. Stir gently to combine.
• Turn heat to high until the stew gently boils. Immediately reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
• While the dish simmers, prepare the couscous according to package directions.
• Just before serving the chicken, add the juice of one lemon (about 1 1/2 Tbsp).
• Season to taste with more salt and pepper.
• Serve over whole wheat couscous garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.