Moroccan Chicken with Couscous Recipe

Moroccan Chicken with Couscous Recipe

  • 14 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 cups zucchini, cut in half lengthwise and sliced
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup vegetable stock
  • 1 1/4 cups couscous
  • 1 3/4 cups boiling water
  • 7 ounces sugar snap peas
  • 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 2 teaspoons butter
  • Salt and fresh-ground pepper
  • Chopped fresh cilantro
  1. Cut the chicken on the diagonal into strips about 1/2 inch thick. Heat half the oil in a wok or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, onion, and garlic and saute, stirring constantly, until the chicken turns white with golden brown flecks, 2 minutes.
  2. Reduce the heat to low and add the cumin, coriander, and cinnamon stick. Saute, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Stir in the zucchini, then add the tomatoes with their juice and the stock. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Meanwhile, put the couscous in a saucepan and pour the boiling water over. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Stir well, cover, and leave to soak, off the heat, 5 minutes.
  4. Add the sugar-snap peas and chickpeas to the chicken mixture. Simmer 5 minutes longer, stirring frequently.
  5. Stir the butter into the couscous and simmer over medium heat 3 minutes, using a fork to separate and fluff the grains. Pile the couscous onto a serving platter. Spoon the chicken on top and garnish with chopped cilantro.