Chicken Saute with Pearl CousCous

Looking for a change up to your dinner tonight? This dish will bring a little Eastern flavor to your table by using a uniquely sweet/savory combination of cumin, lemon, and fish sauce while replacing rice, pasta, or potatoes with Israeli (pearl) couscous, peas, and a massive amount of heart healthy veggies. 

Ingredients

Meat & Miscellaneous 

• 2 chicken breasts, sliced into strips 
• 1 cup pearl couscous
• 1 tbsp. cumin 
• Pepper (to taste)
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock
• 2 tbsp. fish sauce

Produce

• 1/2 lemon (fresh squeezed)
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 package crimini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 small bag frozen peas
• 2 cups fresh spinach 
• 1/2 onion
• 4 cloves garlic

Directions

1. Accumulate ingredients. Pearl couscous is currently in stock at Costco! 
2. Heat a skillet on medium with your 1/2 a tbsp. of olive oil, garlic, and onions. Sautee for 1-2 minutes or until aromatic. Slice your chicken breasts in the meantime.
3. Add chicken breasts and seasoning (cumin, pepper) to skillet and cook ~4-5 minutes, or until lightly browned on both sides. Salt won't be necessary as the vegetable stock is salty enough.
4. Add vegetable stock and couscous to the chicken skillet after it's browned, and turn to low. Let simmer while you  heat another skillet for the vegetables.
5. Add a 1/2 tbsp. (splash) of olive oil and the sliced mushrooms and bell pepper. Cook these for about 60 seconds then add zucchini, lemon juice, and fish sauce. Sauteé everything until soft, then add spinach until cooked. 

6. The couscous will take approximately 10 minutes to cook till al dente, a good way to judge is also when it has about absorbed all the vegetable stock. Don't attempt throwing it on the wall to see if it sticks, you'll just make a mess. Add peas when it is almost done, then place this at the bottom of a bowl and top with your veggies. ​ 

When to couscous

Disclaimer, couscous is not gluten-free! Also called Israeli couscous, this pasta-like grain has a slightly chewy texture and bland flavor that is enhanced by the addition of sauces and spices.

​It is made by rolling durum wheat with salted water to form little balls. Finally, you can add it to so many things, from soups to salads, just be careful as it has a similar nutritional profile to that of traditional pasta. 

Bon appétit!

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