
Express Lemon Carrot Couscous with Spiced Chicken, Crunchy Cucumber and Quick Dill Yogurt
A fast, original dish featuring fluffy couscous scented with grated carrot and lemon, topped with pan-seared spiced chicken, fresh cucumber, and a creamy dill yogurt sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes with bright, balanced flavors.
Ingredients
- 180 g dry couscous (of grano medio)
- 240 ml hot water (casi hirviendo)
- 120 g coarsely grated carrot (repartida entre cuscús and acabado)
- 450 g chicken breast, sliced into strips (skinless)
- 180 g cucumber, thin half-moons (for servir)
- 170 g plain Greek yogurt (for the sauce)
- 10 g fresh dill, chopped (divided)
- 1 unit lemon (usar zest and 3 tbsp/3 tbsp of zumo)
- 30 ml olive oil (divided)
- 6 g minced garlic (divided)
- 4 g ground cumin (for the chicken)
- 4 g sweet paprika (for the chicken)
- 2 g ground coriander (for the chicken)
- 6 g salt (or to taste, divided)
- 2 g black pepper (or to taste, divided)
- 15 ml honey (for equilibrar the sauce)
- 25 g sliced almonds (tostadas en pan)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Place the couscous in a medium bowl with half of the lemon zest, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 60 g of the grated carrot. Pour in the hot water, cover, and let stand for 5 minutes.
- 2
2. While the couscous rests, toss the chicken with the cumin, sweet paprika, ground coriander, half of the minced garlic, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- 3
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring once or twice, until browned and fully cooked. If checking internal temperature, it should reach 165°F / 74°C.
- 4
4. In a small bowl, make the sauce by mixing the Greek yogurt, remaining minced garlic, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, honey, half of the chopped dill, 2 tablespoons water, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Stir until smooth.
- 5
5. Uncover the couscous and fluff it with a fork. Fold in the remaining grated carrot, the remaining dill, the rest of the lemon zest, and adjust with salt and pepper to taste.
- 6
6. Toast the sliced almonds in a small skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until lightly golden. Remove immediately so they do not burn.
- 7
7. Divide the couscous among plates. Top with the spiced chicken, cucumber, and spoonfuls of dill yogurt sauce. Finish with the toasted almonds and serve right away.
Chef tips
To speed things up even more, grate the carrot and chop the dill while the couscous hydrates. For extra contrast, chill the cucumber for 10 minutes before serving.
Substitutions
You can swap the almonds for sunflower seeds if you want to avoid tree nuts. Dill can be replaced with fresh parsley, and chicken can be replaced with turkey strips with a similar cooking time.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
Illustrative imageVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Chopping, slicing and cutting strips
- The knife I use most when cooking
- Chops, slices and cuts into strips
- Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
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