Mediterranean Chicken Couscous Salad
This vibrant Mediterranean Chicken Couscous Salad is a delightful blend of tender, seasoned chicken breast, fluffy couscous, and a medley of fresh vegetables and herbs, all tossed in a zesty olive oil and sherry vinegar dressing. The dish not only offers a refreshing taste of North African flavors, but it's also a healthy option, featuring protein-packed chickpeas and colorful cherry tomatoes. Ideal as a main dish or a side, this salad is perfect for potlucks, summer gatherings, or meal prep. Prepare it ahead of time and refrigerate for a couple of hours or overnight to let the flavors meld beautifully.
8
Servings
280
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Reduced-sodium fat-free chicken broth
1 1/2 cups (heated)
Boneless skinless chicken breasts
12 ounces (cooked and chopped)
Couscous
1 (10-ounce) package (cooked)
Fresh basil
1 cup (chopped)
Extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (none)
Sherry wine vinegar
3 tablespoons (none)
Salt
3/4 teaspoon (none)
Fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Garlic clove
1 (minced)
Cherry tomatoes
1 1/2 cups (halved)
Green onion
1 cup (sliced)
Chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1 (15 1/2-ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, bring the reduced-sodium chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat.
2
Add the boneless skinless chicken breasts to the boiling broth. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
3
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the saucepan using a slotted spoon and place it on a cutting board to cool slightly. Coarsely chop the chicken once it's cool enough to handle.
4
While the chicken is cooling, add the couscous directly to the hot broth. Stir briefly, cover the saucepan, and let it stand for about 10 minutes until the couscous absorbs all the liquid.
5
Transfer the cooked couscous to a large mixing bowl and fluff with a fork to separate the grains. Allow it to cool completely.
6
Stir in the chopped fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, sherry wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and minced garlic into the cooled couscous.
7
Gently fold in the chopped chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced green onion, and rinsed chickpeas until everything is evenly combined.
8
Cover the salad with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
9
Serve chilled as a stand-alone dish or alongside your favorite grilled meats.
Nutrition Information
5.5g
Fat
42.4g
Carbs
18g
Protein
5g
Fiber
1g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mediterranean Chicken Couscous Salad?
It is a refreshing dish featuring seasoned chicken breast, fluffy couscous, fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes and green onions, and chickpeas, all tossed in a sherry wine vinegar and olive oil dressing.
How many calories are in one serving of this salad?
There are approximately 280 calories per serving.
How much protein does this chicken couscous salad provide?
Each serving contains 18 grams of protein.
Is this Mediterranean salad a low-fat recipe?
Yes, it is relatively low in fat, with only 5.5 grams per serving.
What are the main ingredients in the dressing?
The dressing is made from extra virgin olive oil, sherry wine vinegar, minced garlic, fresh basil, salt, and black pepper.
How is the chicken prepared for this recipe?
The chicken breasts are simmered in chicken broth for about 10 minutes until cooked through, then cooled and coarsely chopped.
How is the couscous cooked?
The couscous is added to the hot chicken broth after the chicken has been removed, covered, and left to stand for 10 minutes to absorb the liquid.
Can I prepare this salad in advance?
Yes, it is recommended to refrigerate the salad for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Yes, because it is served chilled and the flavors improve over time, it is an excellent option for meal prep.
What kind of broth is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1.5 cups of reduced-sodium fat-free chicken broth.
Are chickpeas included in this salad?
Yes, the recipe uses one 15.5-ounce can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained.
What type of vinegar is used?
The recipe specifically uses 3 tablespoons of sherry wine vinegar.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh?
While the recipe calls for 1 cup of chopped fresh basil for the best flavor, you could use dried, though the taste will be less vibrant.
How much fiber is in each serving?
There are 5 grams of fiber per serving.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
There is a very low amount of sugar, approximately 1 gram per serving.
What vegetables are included in the salad?
The salad includes 1.5 cups of halved cherry tomatoes and 1 cup of sliced green onions.
Should the salad be served hot or cold?
This salad is intended to be served chilled.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifies 12 ounces of boneless skinless chicken breasts.
How much couscous is needed?
You will need one 10-ounce package of couscous.
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking it from scratch?
Yes, you can substitute 12 ounces of cooked rotisserie chicken to save time, though you will still need to heat broth for the couscous.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy recipe due to its lean protein, fiber, and fresh ingredients.
Does this salad contain garlic?
Yes, it contains one minced garlic clove.
How much carbohydrate is in a serving?
Each serving contains 42.4 grams of carbohydrates.
Can this be served at a potluck?
Absolutely, it is mentioned as being perfect for potlucks and summer gatherings.
What is the preparation for the green onions?
The green onions should be sliced before being folded into the salad.
How much salt is used in the seasoning?
The recipe calls for 3/4 teaspoon of salt.
Can I substitute the sherry vinegar?
If you don't have sherry vinegar, red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar can be used as a substitute.
How do you separate the couscous grains?
After the couscous has absorbed the liquid, transfer it to a bowl and fluff it with a fork.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 12 ingredients in this recipe.