BRICK CHICKEN WITH APRICOT COUSCOUS

Brick Chicken with Apricot Couscous image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Time 5h15m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 31

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Ingredients

2 tablespoons cumin seed
2 tablespoons whole coriander
2 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup olive oil
1 lemon, juiced
1 whole free-range chicken (3 pounds), split (see directions below or have butcher split chicken for you)
Extra-virgin olive oil
Mint Yogurt Dressing. recipe follows
Apricot Couscous, recipe follows
1 1/2 cups plain yogurt
1/2 bunch chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 bunch fresh mint leaves
2 green onions, green parts only
2 tablespoons honey
1 lemon, juiced
Extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 small red onion, small dice
1/4 cup dried apricots, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup whole almonds toasted, coarsely chopped
1 cup couscous
1 1/2 cups chicken stock, warm
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
2 scallions green parts only
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped plus leaves for garnish
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

Toast cumin, coriander and cinnamon in a medium saucepan over low heat until fragrant. In a clean spice grinder or coffee grinder, blend spices until fine. Add the toasted spices to a bowl with paprika and cayenne. Season with kosher salt. Stir in the olive oil and lemon juice.
Prepare chicken by splitting it down the back and removing the backbone, breast bone and rib cage. Lay the chicken out flat and rub the blended spices all over. Marinate for up to 4 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Heat a large cast iron skillet (or other heavy oven-proof pan) over medium-high heat. When hot, add a 2 count of extra-virgin olive oil and place the chicken skin side down in the pan. Cover it with a second cast iron pan (you could also use a more traditional foil-wrapped brick) immediately so the skin doesn't have time to contract. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until chicken is golden brown and has a nice crust. Finish cooking in the oven for a further 20 to 25 minutes. Internal temperature between the leg and thigh should register 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, when cooked through. Serve with Mint Yogurt Dressing and Apricot Couscous.
While chicken is cooking, combine yogurt, cilantro, mint, green onions, honey, lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, and salt and pepper, to taste, in a blender. Blend until mixture is fully combined and has a smooth consistency.
In a medium saucepan add a 2 count of extra-virgin olive oil. Add the red onion, apricots and almonds and saute gently over low heat until translucent and slightly fragrant. Add the couscous then dump in the warm chicken broth. Stir with a fork to combine, add lemon zest and cover. Let sit for 10 minutes, then uncover and add the scallions, mint, and cilantro. Fluff again with a fork. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
Serve family-style on a large platter and garnish with fresh cilantro.

*** Explore more Brick Chicken With Apricot Couscous Recipes »

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Cletos Munyengwa

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This dish was so easy to make and it turned out so well! The chicken was juicy and the couscous was flavorful. I will definitely be making this again.

Javoney Wright

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I made this for a party and it was a hit! Everyone loved the chicken and the couscous. I will definitely be making this again.

Kevin_i

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This was a great recipe! The chicken was cooked perfectly and the couscous was delicious. I will definitely be making this again.

Tony Steinhobel

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I'm not a big fan of chicken, but this dish was amazing! The chicken was so moist and flavorful, and the couscous was the perfect accompaniment. I will definitely be making this again.

Dennis Hughes

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This dish was easy to make and turned out great! The chicken was juicy and the couscous was flavorful. I will definitely be making this again.

Baseet Baseet

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I made this for dinner last night and it was a hit! The chicken was so moist and flavorful, and the couscous was the perfect accompaniment. I will definitely be making this again.

Karim Kassoul

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This was a great recipe! The chicken was moist and flavorful, and the couscous was fluffy. I will definitely be making this again.

Ajay Hamal

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I'm so glad I tried this recipe! The chicken was cooked perfectly and the couscous was delicious. I will definitely be making this again.

Shamarie Atkinson

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This dish was so easy to make and it turned out so well! The chicken was juicy and the couscous was flavorful. I will definitely be making this again.

Amjat Amjat

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I made this for a party and it was a hit! Everyone loved the chicken and the couscous. I will definitely be making this again.

Laura Romero

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This was a great recipe! The chicken was cooked perfectly and the couscous was delicious. I will definitely be making this again.

Ejemen Osarenkhoe

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I'm not a big fan of chicken, but this dish was amazing! The chicken was so moist and flavorful, and the couscous was the perfect accompaniment. I will definitely be making this again.

Maha fadaly

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This dish was easy to make and turned out great! The chicken was juicy and the couscous was fluffy. I will definitely be making this again.

Tayeb Ahmed

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I made this for dinner last night and my family loved it! The chicken was perfectly cooked and the couscous was so flavorful. I will definitely be making this again.