Moroccan Chicken with Citrusy Olives and Couscous
Experience the vibrant flavors of Morocco with this delightful Chicken with Citrusy Olives and Couscous dish. Tender chicken breasts are simmered with fragrant spices, fresh lemon juice, and green olives, creating a savory and aromatic sauce. Served atop fluffy couscous, this recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner or an impressive meal to share with friends. Embrace the exotic and refresh your palate with this quick and easy recipe that brings a taste of North Africa to your kitchen.
N/A
Servings
295
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
onion
1 (medium, peeled, quartered)
garlic clove
1 (medium, peeled, minced)
chicken breasts
2 (large)
all-purpose flour
1 (tablespoon, for dredging)
olive oil
1/2 (tablespoon)
water
1 1/4 (cups, divided)
saffron
1 (pinch)
ground ginger
1/4 (teaspoon)
ground cumin
1/4 (teaspoon)
paprika
1/4 (teaspoon)
salt
1/8 (teaspoon)
lemon juice
2 (tablespoons)
lemon
1 (zest of, minced)
green olives
1/4 (cup, pitted and chopped)
cilantro
1 (tablespoon, minced)
couscous
1/2 (cup)
black pepper
1 (dash)
Instructions
1
In a food processor, finely chop the peeled onion and garlic clove until a smooth consistency is achieved.
2
Dredge the chicken breasts in all-purpose flour, ensuring an even coating.
3
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the dredged chicken breasts and the onion and garlic mixture. Sauté until the chicken is golden brown and the onion is softened, about 10 minutes.
4
Stir in 1/2 cup of water along with saffron, ground ginger, cumin, paprika, salt, and minced lemon zest. Mix well.
5
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and cover the skillet. Let it simmer for 35 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
6
After 35 minutes, carefully remove the chicken from the sauce. Allow it to cool for a few minutes, then cut it into bite-sized pieces and return the chicken to the simmering sauce.
7
Add in lemon juice, chopped olives, minced cilantro, and a dash of black pepper. Simmer gently for an additional 5 minutes to heat through.
8
While the chicken is cooking, bring 3/4 cup of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Once boiling, stir in couscous, then remove from heat and cover. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the couscous is fluffy.
9
To serve, spoon the chicken and sauce mixture over a bed of couscous, garnishing with additional chopped cilantro if desired.
Nutrition Information
9
Fat
30
Carbs
21
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Moroccan Chicken with Citrusy Olives and Couscous?
It is a vibrant North African dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a sauce of fragrant spices, lemon, and green olives, served over fluffy couscous.
How many calories are in one serving?
This recipe contains 295 calories per serving.
What is the protein content of this dish?
Each serving provides 21 grams of protein.
How much fat does this meal contain?
There are 9 grams of fat per serving.
What are the total carbohydrates in this recipe?
This dish contains 30 grams of carbohydrates.
What spices are used to create the Moroccan flavor?
The recipe uses a blend of saffron, ground ginger, cumin, and paprika.
How do I prepare the onion and garlic for the base?
Use a food processor to finely chop the peeled onion and garlic until they reach a smooth consistency.
Do I need to coat the chicken before cooking?
Yes, dredge the chicken breasts in all-purpose flour to ensure an even coating before sautéing.
How long should the chicken simmer in the spice mixture?
The chicken should simmer covered for 35 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
What type of olives are recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of pitted and chopped green olives.
How is the couscous prepared?
Bring 3/4 cup of water to a boil, stir in the couscous, remove from heat, cover, and let it sit for 5 minutes.
What citrus ingredients are required?
The dish uses both the minced zest of one lemon and two tablespoons of lemon juice.
Is cilantro used in this dish?
Yes, one tablespoon of minced cilantro is added to the sauce, and more can be used as a garnish.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 17 ingredients used in this Moroccan chicken dish.
What is the total simmering time for the chicken?
The chicken simmers for an initial 35 minutes, followed by an additional 5 minutes once chopped and returned to the sauce.
Should the chicken be cooked whole or in pieces?
The chicken breasts are initially sautéed and simmered whole, then removed, cut into bite-sized pieces, and returned to the pan.
What type of oil is used for sautéing?
The recipe uses 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil.
How much water is needed for the chicken sauce?
You will need 1/2 cup of water for the chicken sauce mixture.
How much water is needed for the couscous?
You will need 3/4 cup of water to prepare the couscous.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is categorized as an easy recipe and a quick meal option.
Is the dish spicy?
While it contains aromatic spices like cumin and ginger and is tagged as spicy, the heat level is generally mild and fragrant.
How do I achieve a golden brown color on the chicken?
Sauté the dredged chicken with the onion and garlic mixture for about 10 minutes until golden.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to finely chop the onion and garlic in a food processor.
What should the consistency of the onion and garlic be?
They should be processed until a smooth consistency is achieved.
When do you add the saffron?
Saffron is added to the skillet along with water, ginger, cumin, paprika, salt, and lemon zest before boiling.
How much salt is used?
The recipe calls for 1/8 teaspoon of salt.
What is the role of the flour in this recipe?
The all-purpose flour is used for dredging the chicken, which helps with browning and slightly thickening the sauce.
Can I garnish this dish?
Yes, it is recommended to garnish with additional chopped cilantro when serving over the couscous.
What is the final seasoning added?
A dash of black pepper is added during the final 5 minutes of simmering.
How much ground cumin is needed?
The recipe requires 1/4 teaspoon of ground cumin.