Amazing Moroccan Chicken with Couscous recipe. Plus: it's very easy to make!
We've never been to Morocco. The closest we have ever been was in the World Showcase at EPCOT 🙂 But in our kitchen we have visited Morocco several times with this amazing Chicken with Couscous recipe.
It's so good and so easy to make that all our friends have had it at least once here at home! And every single person has a second serving. Not only that, when we meet these friends again they always say "Oh, that dish!!!!"
So after a few changes to the original recipe, I present you what I think is the perfect Moroccan Chicken with Couscous! I promise you won't regret making it!
Moroccan Chicken with Couscous
Amazing Moroccan Chicken with Couscous recipe. Plus: it's very easy to make!
Servings 6
Calories 945kcal
Ingredients
Harissa
- 1 tbsp caraway seeds
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds
- 1 tbsp cumin seeds
- 1 tbsp dried crushed red pepper
- 3 tbsp sweet paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
Chicken
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 5 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp finely grated lime peel
- 3 lb chicken thighs
- pinch sugar
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves for serving
Couscous
- 1 1/2 cups couscous
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup laminated almonds
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup cranberries
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
Harissa
- Toast caraway, coriander, and cumin seeds in a skillet over medium heat stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Let it cool completely.
- Grind spices and dried crushed red pepper to fine powder. Add oil and garlic and grind to smooth paste. Stir in paprika and salt.
Chicken
- Whisk (3 1/2 tbsp) harissa, olive oil, lime juice, lime peel and pinch of sugar in a bowl. Rub mixture over all sides of chicken pieces. Place chicken in baking dish. Cover and marinate overnight (or at least a few hours).
- Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Cook chicken for around 1 hour. Cover baking dish with foil for the first 30 minutes.
Couscous
- Bring water to a boil. Remove from heat, stir in couscous and let it rest for 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with the butter using a fork. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
Serving
- Serve chicken with cilantro on top and couscous on the side.
Nutrition
Calories: 945kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 65g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 225mg | Sodium: 899mg | Potassium: 794mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2428IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 5mg
I am a massive fan of Middle Eastern flavours so I know I would love this Morroccan chicken dish. I definitely do not cook with couscous enough either so I definitely think I need to recreate this recipe. Thanks for the idea!
Hello Thalia,
You won't regret making this dish. It's really delicious!
Thanks for stopping by.
Andrea
What are laminated almonds?
They are sliced, but very thin.
Amazing, but couscous is Algerian not moroccan as my friends explained to me, though its very popular in morocco, cheers.
Really? Thanks for the info 😉
Hi, do you think if I use my tagine the results will be the same, and would I still cook it for 1hr? Thanks
Hello Van
I do not own a tagine, but I think you can use it for sure. If you are used to it, cook the chicken for the amount of time you are used to, so it get cooked properly and does not dry out.
I have harissa spice. Can I use it instead of making it? If so, how much would I use?
Hi, we have never used harissa spice but I think you can do it. Use 7 tbsp harissa spice + the olive oil e garlic cloves just like my recipe and then follow the instructions.
Best regards,
Andrea
Just made this recipe tonight for dinner with friends and it was a big hit! One other side I added was a cucumber yogurt with added dill and paprika, that went really well with the chicken too! Thanks for sharing, will be a staple in this household now!
Hi Anne
Sounds like a delicious side!
Thanks for letting me know
Any tips on re-creating this meal for a husband who is allergic to pepper? Haha. I had this at a friends and it was amazing. My poor husband is allergic to peppers (except black pepper).
Hi Rachel, I think you can basically not use any pepper. This is a pretty mild recipe, so I don't think you'll have much trouble.
How much Harissa, Im using harissa paste.
Thanks
Hello Marcia!
3 1/2 tbsp. I'm updating the recipe!