Classic Mediterranean Chicken Couscous Bowl (Printable)
Tender spiced chicken over fluffy couscous with fresh vegetables and creamy lemon-tahini sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
→ Marinade
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 - 1 tsp dried oregano
07 - 1/2 tsp ground coriander
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
10 - Juice of 1 lemon
→ Grains
11 - 1 1/4 cups couscous
12 - 1 1/2 cups chicken broth or water
→ Vegetables & Garnishes
13 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
14 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
15 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
16 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted & halved
17 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
18 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (omit for dairy-free)
19 - 1/2 cup baby spinach or arugula leaves
→ Sauce
20 - 2 tbsp tahini
21 - 2 tbsp plain yogurt or dairy-free yogurt
22 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
23 - 1 tbsp olive oil
24 - 1 small garlic clove, grated
25 - Salt & pepper to taste
26 - Warm water to thin
# Directions:
01 - Whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, coriander, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Coat chicken breasts thoroughly and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, up to overnight for deeper flavor.
02 - Heat grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken breasts for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Rest briefly, then slice into strips.
03 - Bring chicken broth or water to a boil. Stir in couscous, cover, and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
04 - Whisk together tahini, yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, grated garlic, salt, and pepper. Add warm water as needed to achieve drizzling consistency.
05 - Divide couscous among four bowls. Top with spinach or arugula, sliced chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and feta cheese. Drizzle with sauce and garnish with fresh parsley.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The lemon-tahini sauce is the kind of thing you'll want to put on everything
- It comes together in under an hour but tastes like you spent all day cooking
- Leftovers make the most envy-inducing office lunch
02 -
- The sauce will look thick and clumpy at first but keep whisking and it will smooth out
- Couscous continues to absorb liquid, so fluff it immediately after the 5 minutes
- Letting the chicken rest before slicing keeps all the juices inside
03 -
- Grill the chicken outdoors when the weather is nice for extra smoky flavor
- Toast the couscous in a dry pan for 2 minutes before cooking for a nutty depth