Embark on a culinary journey with our delightful Spring Vegetable Couscous with Chicken, a vibrant and flavorful dish that captures the essence of spring. This wholesome and nourishing meal combines the goodness of fresh spring vegetables, tender chicken, and fluffy couscous, making it a perfect choice for a healthy and satisfying lunch or dinner.
In this collection of recipes, you'll find variations of this vibrant dish, each offering a unique twist to tantalize your taste buds. From a classic version bursting with the flavors of spring vegetables and succulent chicken to a tantalizingly spicy rendition featuring a zesty harissa sauce, these recipes are sure to cater to your palate.
One recipe introduces a delightful combination of asparagus, bell peppers, and baby carrots, while another showcases the vibrant flavors of artichoke hearts, zucchini, and peas. For those who prefer a vegetarian option, there's a recipe that swaps chicken for roasted eggplant and feta cheese, resulting in a savory and satisfying dish.
To cater to different dietary preferences, we've included a gluten-free alternative that uses quinoa instead of couscous, offering a nutritious and delectable option for those with gluten sensitivities. And for those who love a touch of heat, a recipe featuring a spicy tomato sauce adds an extra layer of flavor and excitement to the dish.
Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary adventures, our Spring Vegetable Couscous with Chicken recipes are designed to guide you every step of the way. Detailed instructions, helpful tips, and stunning photographs ensure that you'll create a dish that looks as good as it tastes. So gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and let's embark on a delightful journey of flavors with our Spring Vegetable Couscous with Chicken recipes.
CHICKEN AND SUMMER VEGETABLE STEW WITH COUSCOUS
This recipe is sponsored by Do Good Chicken. Inspired by Moroccan tagine, this fragrant stew combines quick-cooking boneless chicken thighs and chickpeas with summer vegetables, such as zucchini, rainbow carrots and colorful cherry tomatoes. It's served over fluffy, buttery couscous and finished with a refreshing herb and nut topping. A little fire from harissa plus a dollop of cooling yogurt packs this dish with bright flavor.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 45m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 24
Steps:
- For the chicken stew: Put the garlic, carrots, onion, cinnamon, raisins, ginger, cumin, paprika, sugar, turmeric, 1 tablespoon salt and several grinds of black pepper in a large saucepan or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid. Add 2 cups water and bring to a boil over high heat; cover, reduce the heat and simmer until the carrots start to get tender, about 15 minutes. Add the chicken, chickpeas, tomatoes and zucchini and stir to combine. Return to a boil over high heat, cover, reduce the heat and simmer until the stew is slightly thickened and fragrant and the vegetables are tender enough to cut with the side of a fork, but still hold their shapes, about 15 minutes. (If the vegetables are fork-tender a bit sooner, remove them to a bowl while the liquid reduces then return them to the pot when ready to serve.) Remove and discard the cinnamon sticks.
- For the couscous: Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil with the butter and salt in a small saucepan. Stir in the couscous, remove from the heat, cover and set aside until the water has been absorbed and the couscous is plump, about 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and keep warm.
- For the topping: Combine the cilantro, parsley, almonds, pistachios and raisins in a medium bowl.
- To serve, divide the couscous among bowls, top with the stew and sprinkle with the herb topping. Serve with harissa and yogurt on the side.
SPRING-VEGETABLE COUSCOUS WITH CHICKEN
This one-pan dish would also be good with sugar snap peas added at the end.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Chicken
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium-high. Add scallion whites and cook, stirring constantly, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add lemon zest and 1 1/4 cups water and season with salt and pepper. Cover pan and bring liquid to a boil, then add asparagus and peas. Return to a boil and stir in couscous. Add chicken and remove pan from heat; cover and let sit 7 minutes. Add lemon juice and parsley and season with salt and pepper. Fluff couscous with a fork and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 377 g, Fat 13 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 22 g
QUICK CHICKEN COUSCOUS
Take a break from pasta, rice, and potatoes with this quick chicken couscous bowl. Made with chicken breast (or thighs, or even leftover chicken!) and diced veggies of your choice, it's an impressive meal that takes just minutes to make once all the ingredients are prepped. The chicken is moist and tender, the couscous is light yet satisfying, and the veggies add color, flavor, and texture. It can be eaten at any temperature and would be perfect to pack for a picnic.
Provided by Chef John
Time 40m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Place couscous in a heat-proof mixing bowl. Add salt, pepper, cayenne, and olive oil; stir with a spoon until all couscous is coated with oil. Level off to smooth the top and set aside.
- Season chicken on both sides with salt.
- Heat olive oil in a saucepan over high heat. Add chicken and sear for 2 to 3 minutes on one side. Flip and add onions. Sear chicken on second side, while sauteing onions at the same time, for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove chicken to a plate and let cool for a few minutes. Cut chicken into 1/2-inch cubes and return to the saucepan.
- Add chicken broth, zucchini, green beans, bell pepper, green onions, paprika, and turmeric to the saucepan. Place over high heat. As soon as it boils, remove from the heat and carefully dump it on top of the couscous; do not stir. Immediately wrap bowl tightly with foil and set a timer for 5 minutes.
- When timer goes off, unwrap foil and toss in parsley. Stir to combine ingredients. Taste and adjust for salt.
- Spoon couscous onto serving plate and garnish with feta cheese, chili flakes, and parsley and a drizzle of olive oil.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 966 calories, Carbohydrate 125 g, Cholesterol 70 mg, Fat 34.7 g, Fiber 21.3 g, Protein 46.3 g, SaturatedFat 5.9 g, Sodium 1428.6 mg, Sugar 5.7 g
SPRING VEGETABLE RAGOûT WITH BROWN BUTTER COUSCOUS
The amazingly flavorful couscous here is the result of a trick from the chef Mourad Lahlou, whose San Francisco restaurants, Aziza (currently closed) and Mourad, feature a modernist approach to Moroccan cuisine. Freshly steamed couscous is tossed with sizzling brown butter, lots of chopped preserved lemon and a splash of saffron. It is seriously good with just about anything, especially seasonal vegetable ragoûts. (Saucy braises of lamb, chicken or fish also pair well with it.) The recipe below uses spring vegetables, but you can substitute others throughout the year.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, grains and rice, vegetables, main course
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2 1/2 cups water to a rapid boil. Add salt and couscous, stirring as water returns to boil. Turn down heat to a bare simmer, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and leave covered for 10 minutes. Dump couscous on a baking sheet or large platter, and spread out. Taste for salt and add more if necessary. Fluff, smash any large clumps and leave to cool, uncovered.
- Set up a steamer with a fine mesh basket, with water simmering on low heat, for eventual steaming of couscous. About 30 minutes before serving, put couscous in the steamer basket and raise heat to maintain a rapid simmer. Do not cover. (This extra steaming step produces lighter, fluffier couscous.)
- Make the green sauce: Put cilantro, salt, Serrano chile and olive oil in a blender or food processor. Pulse briefly, then purée into a paste. Add 1/4 cup water, and purée again. Taste and adjust seasoning. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in lime juice.
- Make the ragoût: Put 2 tablespoons olive oil in a deep, wide skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add coriander and cumin. Let sizzle for a few seconds, then onions and cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes.
- Add leeks and season well with salt and pepper. Stir and cook onion-leek mixture until leeks are soft but still bright green, about 5 minutes.
- Add zucchini, season with salt and stir to coat. Add 3 cups water, raise heat to a boil, cover and cook for 2 minutes. Add asparagus and peas, cover and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add favas, if using, and spinach, cover and cook 1 minute. Turn off heat. (Spinach will continue to cook.)
- Finish the couscous: Set a wide skillet over high heat. When pan is hot, add cold butter and let it sizzle and foam, turning rust-brown but no darker. Add preserved lemon and the saffron and its water to stop the browning. Turn off heat. Add hot couscous to pan and stir to incorporate all elements. Transfer to a warm serving bowl.
- Gently fold vegetables together, then lift from pot and transfer to a deep serving platter, using tongs or slotted spoon. Stir 2 tablespoons green sauce into liquid remaining in pot, then spoon liquid over vegetables. Garnish with cilantro sprigs. Pass remaining green sauce at the table.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 556, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 67 grams, Fat 26 grams, Fiber 11 grams, Protein 16 grams, SaturatedFat 9 grams, Sodium 948 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams, TransFat 0 grams
CHICKEN & VEGETABLE CURRY COUSCOUS
For my busy family, a partly homemade one-pot meal is the best way to get dinner done in a hurry. Use your favorite blend of frozen veggies and serve with toasted pita bread for smiles all around. -Elizabeth Hokanson, Arborg, Manitoba
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 25m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook and stir until no longer pink., Add vegetable blend, water and contents of couscous seasoning packet. Bring to a boil; stir in couscous and raisins. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, until water is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 273 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 47mg cholesterol, Sodium 311mg sodium, Carbohydrate 39g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 21g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
COUSCOUS WITH SPRING VEGETABLES
Quick-cooking couscous, green onions and red peppers are cooked in a blend of chicken broth, Dijon mustard and lemon peel for a tempting side dish.
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Home
Time 15m
Yield Makes 8 servings, about 1 cup each.
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Bring broth to boil in medium saucepan on high heat. Stir in mustard until well blended.
- Add remaining ingredients; mix well. Cover; remove from heat. Let stand 5 min. or until liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff with fork.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 160, Fat 1 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 300 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 6 g
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
COUSCOUS WITH SPRING VEGETABLES
Steps:
- Following the basic recipe (page 112), put the couscous in a wide, ovenproof dish, add the same volume of salted water gradually, stirring so that it gets absorbed evenly. After about 10 minutes, when the couscous has become plump and almost tender, add 3 tablespoons olive oil and rub the couscous between your hands to air it and break up any lumps. This can be done in advance and then heated through 20 to 30 minutes before serving in an oven preheated to 400°F until it is steaming hot. For the broth, bring the stock to boiling point, then add the fava beans; the scallions, trimmed of their green ends and sliced; and the artichokes, cut in half or quartered, and cook for 10 minutes, or until tender. Season with salt and pepper, taking into consideration the saltiness of the bouillon cubes. Add the peas, and cook for 5 minutes, or until they are just tender. Stir in the herbs just before you are ready to serve.
- Before serving, fluff up the couscous with a fork, breaking up any lumps, and stir in the remaining olive oil. Arrange the vegetables on top and pass the broth around in a bowl for everyone to help themselves.
- variation
- You may like to melt into the couscous at the end 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) of butter and omit the olive oil.
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start cooking, make sure you have all of your ingredients and tools ready. This will help you stay organized and avoid scrambling later on.
- Use Fresh Vegetables: Spring is the perfect time to use fresh, seasonal vegetables. Look for vegetables that are brightly colored and have a crisp texture.
- Don't Overcook the Chicken: Chicken can easily become dry and tough if it's overcooked. Cook it until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, then remove it from the heat and let it rest before slicing.
- Fluff the Couscous: Once the couscous is cooked, fluff it with a fork to separate the grains. This will help it absorb the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Add Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs can add a lot of flavor to this dish. Try adding some chopped parsley, cilantro, or mint just before serving.
Conclusion:
Spring vegetable couscous with chicken is a delicious and healthy dish that's perfect for a light and refreshing meal. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!
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