Quick One-Pan Chicken And Couscous Recipe

Recipe Pin

One-Pan Chicken and Couscous is a keeper. It is a dish of crispy, golden chicken, accompanied by flavourful cous cous seasoned with herbs and spices. The recipe is so delicious and addictive that I always make the same dish whenever I have chicken thighs at home.

One Pan Chicken & Couscous Feature image

I was introduced to this recipe at a restaurant. Initially, I was skeptical about trying it, but the foodie in me was craving it, so I had to. Since then, I have been making a one-pan recipe for every dinner party.

The ingredients needed for the recipe are quite simple and readily available in your kitchen. If you want to add a twist, you can sprinkle some fresh herbs on top.

Well, if you think I am just bragging about this recipe, then you need to try it yourself, and you will be left with a spotless plate. So get your apron and ingredients ready to prepare the exotic chicken recipe.

Equipment Required

Small Bowl: A perfect way to combine and mix spices for chicken.
Skillet: Use a skillet for cooking chicken.
Ladle: An easy way to stir ingredients in a skillet.
Paper Towel: For drying the chicken thighs.

One Pan Chicken and Couscous Ingredients and Substitutions

Note: The recipe serves 4 people. You can increase or decrease the quantity of ingredients based on the size of the gathering.

8 Chicken Thighs
2 Teaspoons Turmeric: Add ground ginger if you do not have turmeric powder.
1 Tablespoon Garam Masala: You can substitute it with cumin powder too.
2 Onions: Substitute white shallots for onions.
2 Tablespoons Sunflower Oil: Avocado oil can also be added instead of olive oil.
250 Gram Pearl Couscous
3 Garlic Cloves: You can add garlic powder to the recipe, too.
Handful of Green Olives: Add capers as an alternative.
500 ml Chicken Broth: Vegetable broth can also be added.
1 Lemon Juice
Flat Leaf Parsley

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
10 Minutes	30 Minutes	40 Minutes

How To Make One-Pan Chicken And Couscous At Home

Step 1

Add chicken to a bowl, then season it with garam masala and turmeric.

Step 2

Pour oil into the pan.

Step 3

Add marinated pieces to the pan. Fry them and then keep aside.

Step 4

Further, add chopped onion and garlic to the oil.

Step 5

Sprinkle garam masala and turmeric all over.

Step 6

Add olives to the pan.

Step 7

Now add some chicken stock to the pan and mix it well.

Step 8

Once everything is properly mixed, add the fried chicken pieces.

Step 9

Let everything cook on simmer.

Step 10

Now add some lime juice and stir.

Step 11

Finally, mix the couscous in the pan. Cook for some time.

Chicken is ready to be served.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

Cook the chicken undisturbed for some time so that it gets perfectly crispy.
Make sure you add warm chicken broth to the pan, as it will help cous cous absorb flavor better.
You can cover the skillet loosely to avoid cous cous drying out.
Try marinating chicken for 30 minutes to make sure the chicken gets deeply flavored.
Do not serve immediately, but let the prepared dish rest for some time. This way, flavors settle well.

FAQs About One Pan Chicken and Couscous

Why is my Couscous dry?

The cous cous absorbs way too much liquid, which makes it dry. You can fix it by adding a splash of warm broth to it.

Why is my couscous mushy?

Do not add too much broth, as it will make the recipe mushy and soggy.

How do I prevent chicken from drying out?

Make sure you do not cook chicken for a long time, as overcooking can ruin the texture. Before you serve, keep it aside so that it absorbs the flavors well.

Why is the chicken sticking to the skillet?

The chicken sticking to the skillet is because of the frequent moving of the chicken. Make sure the pan is hot enough and well oiled when the chicken is added to it.

How do I know if the couscous is cooked?

The sign for cooked couscous is that it is tender and has absorbed the liquid well.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

The One Pan Chicken and Couscous is a healthy dish you can eat regularly, as it is high in protein and minimally processed.

Calories	841 kcal
Carbohydrates	59 g
Protein	47 g
Fat	46 g
Saturated Fat	11 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	8 g
Monounsaturated Fat	22 g
Trans Fat	0.2 g
Cholesterol	224 mg
Sodium	645 mg
Potassium	741 mg
Fiber	5 g
Sugar	4 g
Vitamin A	186 IU
Vitamin C	19 mg
Calcium	64 mg
Iron	3 mg

The best part is that you can customize it as per your dietary preferences. All you need to do is tweak some ingredients, and it is ready.

Recipe Variation For Different Diets

Keto-Version: As couscous is high in carbohydrates it is best to replace it with cauliflower rice as it is a perfect low carb substitute. Add avocado oil instead of olive oil and low-sodium chicken broth to the preparation.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Refrigerate: Once you prepare the recipe, let it cool down at room temperature. Then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for future use. It will stay fresh for 3-4 days.

Reheating

Microwave: First you need to add chicken and Couscous to a microwave safe dish. Then add some chicken broth in it and cover it. Heat it for 2 minutes and stir in between, keep heating it in intervals until temperature reaches 74 degree Celsius.
Stovetop: Take a skillet, add chicken and couscous to it. Then pour some chicken stock over it and cover it. Now let it heat for 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally, so that chicken cooks properly.

What To Serve With This Recipe

The One Pan Chicken and Couscous is best enjoyed when served with Lemon Cinnamon Water or Mocha Iced Coffee. You can even enjoy it with Cajun Fries as a perfect side. Even Onion Rings pair perfectly with the sandwich.

Printable Version

More Recipes That You Can Try

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Conclusion

The One Pan Chicken and Cous Cous is a minimal-effort, single-skillet recipe perfect for your weekend dinner, combining delicious flavors. Do try this recipe and serve your guests.