Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of the Middle East with our tantalizing chicken with pumpkin and couscous dish. This delectable recipe seamlessly blends the vibrant flavors of the region, featuring tender chicken infused with aromatic spices, perfectly roasted pumpkin, and fluffy couscous. The harmony of textures and flavors in this dish will transport you to a bustling Middle Eastern souk, where the air is filled with the enticing scents of exotic spices.
Alongside this signature dish, our article offers a treasure trove of other culinary delights from the Middle Eastern region. Discover the secrets of creating the perfect fattoush salad, a refreshing blend of crisp vegetables, herbs, and a tangy dressing. Learn the art of crafting flavorful falafel, where chickpeas are transformed into crispy, golden-brown balls, perfect for pita sandwiches or as a delightful appetizer.
For a taste of traditional Lebanese cuisine, try your hand at making kibbeh, a delectable dish featuring a combination of minced meat, bulgur wheat, and spices. And for a sweet treat, indulge in the irresistible baklava, layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup.
Our comprehensive guide to Middle Eastern cooking will equip you with the skills and knowledge to create an unforgettable culinary experience, transporting your taste buds to the vibrant streets of the Middle East.
ZA'ATAR ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST RECIPE
Best roasted chicken breast recipe you will find! Marinated in lemon and olive oil, and covered in Middle Eastern flavors including allspice, sumac, Za'atar. Roasted to fall-off-the-bone perfect.
Provided by The Mediterranean Dish
Categories Entree
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the marinade ingredients.
- Place the chicken in a deep pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cover with the marinade, making sure to work some of the marinade underneath the skin (this is important for flavor). Cover and place the chicken in the fridge for four hours.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Transfer the chicken and marinade to a baking dish or a cast iron skillet. Sprinkle with a little more sumac and paprika. Now, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the za'atar, and take another tablespoon to work underneath the skin of chicken breasts. (You should have 1 tablespoon of za'atar left for later use).
- Place the chicken in the heated oven and roast for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes (once the chicken's internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, it is ready).
- Sprinkle with a little more sumac and the remaining za'atar. Garnish with the toasted nuts and fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 484 calories, Sugar 2 g, Sodium 123.8 mg, Fat 31.8 g, SaturatedFat 6.9 g, TransFat 0.2 g, Carbohydrate 10.3 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 40.5 g, Cholesterol 116.1 mg
MOROCCAN CHICKEN COUSCOUS
This Moroccan Chicken Couscous is super flavorful and healthy loaded with exotic spices but still simple enough to make any night of the week.
Provided by Joanna Cismaru
Categories Dinner Lunch Main Course
Time 1h30m
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 F degrees.
- Combine all the Moroccan spice blend ingredients together. The recipe should yields about 8 to 9 tsp or about 3 tbsp.
- Season the chicken breasts with 2 tbsp of the Moroccan spice blend thoroughly. Use more as preferred.
- In a large Dutch Oven or a oven safe pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot add the chicken breasts and sear on both sides until browned, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. The chicken will not be cooked through at all, it will just be crispy on the outside. Transfer the chicken from the pot to a plate and set aside.
- Add the onion and garlic to the pot and saute for about 3 minutes until onion softens and becomes translucent and garlic is aromatic. add the remaining 1 tbsp of the Moroccan spice blend and stir.
- Add the golden raisins, chickpeas, fire roasted tomatoes, chicken broth, couscous and stir well. Gently stir in the kale. Bring to a boil, then add the chicken breasts back.
- Cover the pot with a lid and place in the oven. If your pot doesn't have a lid, cover with aluminum foil. Cook in the oven for 30 minutes with the lid on, then remove the lid and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 419 kcal, Carbohydrate 47 g, Protein 38 g, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 73 mg, Sodium 478 mg, Fiber 6 g, Sugar 9 g, ServingSize 1 serving
MOROCCAN-INSPIRED CHICKEN COUSCOUS
Easy chicken couscous dinner with baked chicken thighs, warm Moroccan spices and fluffy couscous! If you like, add a big salad to start the meal.
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Categories Main Course
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 19
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 492.6 kcal, Carbohydrate 31.6 g, Protein 23.5 g, SaturatedFat 7.7 g, TransFat 0.1 g, Cholesterol 110.7 mg, Sodium 399.6 mg, Fiber 4 g, UnsaturatedFat 21.2 g, ServingSize 1 serving
BAKED BONELESS CHICKEN THIGHS WITH BAHARAT
Not your average chicken and potatoes dinner, thanks to one of my favorite spice blends, baharat. A combination of warm spices including cardamom, cinnamon, and coriander, baharat turns these baked boneless chicken thighs into something special! No need to marinate the chicken for hours, either; 15 to 20 minutes at room temperature in the bold Middle Eastern marinade is plenty! Add a big salad like fattoush or a simple tomato salad to start the meal!
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Categories Dinner
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Set a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Prepare the marinade. In a large mixing bowl, add the lime juice, olive oil, garlic, tomato paste, Baharat, and red pepper flakes. Mix to combine.
- Season the potatoes with kosher salt and toss them with about ¼ cup of the marinade mixture and arrange them, along with the shallots, in the bottom of a lightly oiled baking pan (I used a 9"x13" cast iron pan).
- Place the baking pan with the potatoes and shallots on the center rack of your heated oven. Bake for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, pat the chicken dry and season on both sides with kosher salt, then add the chicken to the mixing bowl and toss until the chicken is well-coated with the marinade. Set aside for 15 minutes or so.
- Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat and add the sesame seeds. Toss constantly until the seeds gain a little color. This will not take long. Sesame seeds burn very easily, so don't leave them unattended. Set aside once toasted.
- Carefully remove the baking pan from the oven and nestle the chicken between the potatoes and shallots. Return the baking pan to the oven and cook for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Remove from the heat and finish the chicken with a generous sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and parsley. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 324 kcal, Carbohydrate 16.2 g, Protein 23.9 g, Fat 18.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, TransFat 0.1 g, Cholesterol 107.3 mg, Sodium 171.6 mg, Fiber 2.7 g, UnsaturatedFat 11.5 g, ServingSize 1 serving
MIDDLE EASTERN CHICKEN WITH PUMPKIN AND COUSCOUS
This is a simple and very delicious recipe, easy to make and so yummy. We got this recipe from the McCormick foods sample pack of Middle Eastern Spices (Harissa).
Provided by Cas Lisa
Categories Chicken Breast
Time 35m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees celcius.
- Combine chicken, pumpkin, spice and oil and place on a baking tray.
- Bake for around 20-25 minutes.
- Cool slightly and slice the chicken into strips.
- In a large serving bowl combine the coriander, lemon juice and rind, feta cheese, and couscous; mix well.
- Finally fold through the pumpkin and the chicken pieces.
- Serve garnished with lemon slices and coriander.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 284.2, Fat 9.6, SaturatedFat 1.6, Cholesterol 64, Sodium 121.8, Carbohydrate 24, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 1.4, Protein 25
MIDDLE EASTERN-INSPIRED HERB AND GARLIC CHICKEN
This recipe was inspired by the Middle Eastern dried seasoning mix called za'atar, a combination of herbs (usually thyme, oregano and marjoram), sesame seeds and sumac, often spiked with salt. Here, fresh herbs are substituted for the dried, which, along with fresh parsley and mint and plenty of lemon and garlic, are used to marinated boneless chicken thighs. If you can't find sumac, just leave it out. It does add a nice tang and vibrant color, but the dish will work without it. Optimum marinating time here is 8 hours. But feel free to leave it for as little as 15 minutes or as long as 24 hours. If you would rather use white meat, substitute boneless skinless breasts but reduce the cooking time by a few minutes.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories weekday, weeknight, main course
Time 40m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Combine chicken with all but 1 teaspoon of the grated garlic (save that teaspoon for the yogurt sauce), the zest and juice of 1 lemon, oil, parsley, mint, thyme, oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and the sesame seeds and sumac, if using. Cover and marinate for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature; you can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.
- Heat grill or broiler. If grilling, cook chicken over high heat until charred in spots, 4 to 7 minutes. Flip pieces and continue grilling until just cooked through, another 4 to 7 minutes. If broiling, arrange a rack 3 to 4 inches from flame. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spread chicken out in a single layer. Broil chicken, turning halfway through cooking, until well colored and charred in spots, 4 to 7 minutes per side. Be careful that it doesn't burn.
- While chicken cooks, place yogurt in a small bowl. Stir in the reserved grated garlic and lemon zest and season to taste with salt. Serve the chicken drizzled with olive oil, remaining lemon juice to taste, black pepper, parsley and sesame seeds and sumac, if using, with the yogurt alongside for dipping.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 187, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 11 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 17 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 447 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 0 grams
MIDDLE EASTERN CHICKEN POT AND BUTTER-NUT COUSCOUS
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 40m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil ripples add the chicken and brown 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Add the onions, garlic, carrots, bay leaf and season with spices, salt and pepper, cook 5 to 6 minutes. Stir the fruits into the chicken and vegetables, add the zest of the lemon, olives and 2 1/2 cups of stock. Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes more. Sprinkle with lemon juice and turn off heat. Remove bay leaf.
- While chicken simmers, melt butter in a sauce pot over medium heat. Add nuts and lightly toast for a couple of minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups stock and bring up to a boil then stir in couscous. Cover and let stand 5 minutes.
- Serve chicken over couscous, or vice versa, and garnish with parsley.
MIDDLE EASTERN CHICKEN
This is a recipe from another site. I really liked it as it is full of flavor and low in fat. The original recipe calls for 2 cloves of garlic but I am a true garlic lover so I doubled it. This was served with Recipe #113983.
Provided by PaulaG
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 35m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Place the chicken breasts in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
- Sprinkle the chicken with the fresh lemon juice, combine spices and sprinkle over chicken, top with slivers of garlic.
- Pour the rinsed chickpeas over and then the tomatoes. Place dish in preheated oven and cook for 25 minutes.
- Serve with couscous or rice.
MIDDLE EASTERN CHICKEN POT AND BUTTER-NUT COUSCOUS
This recipe jumps with flavor and smells awesome! An easy, 30 min meal from Rachael Ray. My family loved this!!!
Provided by Chill
Categories Chicken
Time 40m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Heat oil over medium-high heat and add chicken. Brown 3-4 minutes on each side. Drain leaving a small amount of oil in pan.
- Add onions, garlic, carrots, bay leaf and season with spices, salt and pepper to pan. Cook 5-6 minutes.
- Stir in fruits, add lemon zest, olives and 2 1/2 c stock.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes. Sprinkle with lemon juice and turn off heat. Remove bay leaf.
- While chicken simmers, melt butter in sauce pan over medium heat.
- Add nuts and lightly toast for a few minutes.
- Add 1 1/2 c stock and bring up to a boil then stir in couscous. Stir and cover. Let stand 5 minute.
- Serve chicken over couscous and garnish with parsley.
- This rocks!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 841.3, Fat 39.5, SaturatedFat 9, Cholesterol 164.1, Sodium 779, Carbohydrate 70, Fiber 6.5, Sugar 7.1, Protein 51.1
MIDDLE-EASTERN CHICKEN
A great sounding one-dish meal complete with great spices, chickpeas, raisins and couscous. Recipe is from my Low-Fat & Healthy One-Pot Meals booklet.
Provided by DailyInspiration
Categories Curries
Time 1h5m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Coat Dutch oven or large, heavy pot with cooking spray. Cook chicken pieces over medium heat, turning frequently, until they begin to brown, With a slotted spoon, remove the chicken to medium bowl and set aside.
- To same pot, add onion, garlic, oil, and 2 tablespoons broth. Stir up any browned bits from bottom of pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, 5-6 minutes or until onion is tender. If liquid begins to evaporate, add more broth.
- Return the chicken to the pot. Add remaining broth, green pepper, tomato, garbanzos, raisins, bay leaf, thyme, cumin, allspice, cloves and black pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, 20-25 minutes or until chicken is tender. Remove bay leaf and discard.
- Add couscous and stir to mix well. Boil 2 minutes, covered. Remove pot from heat; stir up any couscous sticking to bottom. Allow mixture to stand 10-15 minutes, covered. Add salt to taste, if desired.
- Arrange couscous on serving platter and top with chicken and sauce. Garnish with parsley.
MIDDLE EASTERN CHICKEN WITH MOGHRABIEH COUSCOUS
I bought some giant cous cous - Moghrabieh - and wasn't sure what to do with it. Moghrabieh is also known as Lebanese, Israeli and Giant Couscous. After looking for some recipes, I decided to throw caution to the wind and create my own dish based on what I'd read and what I like. The result was delicous, so thought I'd better write it down before I forget it. The Moghrabieh is like small round balls of pasta, rather than a grain, and so I cooked it like pasta.
Provided by amanda l b
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 55m
Yield 2 serves, 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Using spray oil or the olive oil, coat a heavy based casserole dish or pot and place on cook top.
- When the oil is hot, add the chick drumsticks and cook for about 5 mins so that the chicken is turning a golden brown.
- Add the onion, and continue cooking unitl the onion is translucent - about 5 minutes If either onion or chicken starts to burn, reduce the heat.
- Add the fennel seeds, cumin and corriander and cook another minute.
- Add the chicken stock and increase the heta if needed, so that the stock reaches boiling point, then turn down and simmer gently for 30 minutes.
- While the chicken is cooking, add the Moghrabieh to a pot of boiling water and cook for about 15 minutes or until the Moghrabieh is cooked but not mushy. Drain and set aside.
- After 30 minutes, add the tomato to the chicken and cook a further 15 minutes. If needed increase the cooking time if the chicken is not yet 'falling off the bone'.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and remove chicken from the bone.
- If the mixture is too watery at this stage, turn up the heat so that the remaining liquid reduces and thickens.
- Return the chicken to the sauce once the right consistency has been achieved.
- To serve, add the Moghrabieh to bowls and top with the chicken mixture.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 846.9, Fat 26.8, SaturatedFat 6.2, Cholesterol 133.5, Sodium 882.7, Carbohydrate 94.3, Fiber 6.7, Sugar 12, Protein 53.5
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use ripe, flavorful pumpkin. Look for pumpkins with deep orange flesh and no blemishes.
- If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, you can make your own by combining 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves.
- To save time, you can use pre-cooked chicken. Just shred it and add it to the pumpkin mixture.
- If you don't have couscous, you can use another type of grain, such as rice or quinoa.
- Garnish the dish with fresh herbs, such as cilantro or parsley, for a pop of color and flavor.
Conclusion:
This Middle Eastern chicken with pumpkin and couscous is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The combination of sweet pumpkin, savory chicken, and fluffy couscous is sure to please everyone at the table. Serve it with a side of yogurt sauce or tahini sauce for extra flavor.
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