
Quick Pearl Couscous with Za’atar Chicken, Cherry Tomatoes and Warm Feta Cream
A quick and original one-pan meal with tender pearl couscous, golden za’atar chicken, juicy cherry tomatoes, and a warm feta-yogurt cream that ties everything together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 450 g chicken breast (diced small)
- 220 g pearl couscous (crudo)
- 250 g cherry tomatoes (whole)
- 120 g feta cheese (desmenuzado)
- 120 g plain Greek yogurt (without sugar)
- 80 g red onion (en pluma fina)
- 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 480 ml chicken broth (hot)
- 30 ml olive oil
- 10 g za’atar
- 3 g sweet paprika
- 1 unit lemon (zest and 2 tbsp/2 tbsp of juice)
- 15 ml honey
- 15 g fresh parsley (chopped)
- 4 g salt (or to taste)
- 2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
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. In a bowl, combine the chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil, za’atar, sweet paprika, half of the salt, black pepper, and the zest of half a lemon.
- 2
2. Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute. If you like, you can also keep the finished dish warm in the oven at 100 °C / 210 °F.
- 3
3. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and lightly caramelized. Transfer to a plate.
- 4
4. In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, the red onion, and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
- 5
5. Stir in the cherry tomatoes, honey, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Cook for 3 minutes, shaking or stirring, until some of the tomatoes burst and release their juices.
- 6
6. Add the pearl couscous and stir for 30 seconds so it absorbs the flavors. Pour in the hot chicken broth, add the remaining salt, and cook over medium heat for 8 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the couscous is tender and the liquid is almost absorbed.
- 7
7. Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix the feta cheese, Greek yogurt, and the remaining tablespoon of lemon juice. Mash with a fork or blend lightly into a rustic cream.
- 8
8. Return the chicken to the skillet and toss for 1 minute to warm it through with the couscous and tomatoes.
- 9
9. Turn off the heat. Spoon the warm feta cream over the skillet and finish with fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Chef tips
For a fluffier texture, let the couscous rest for 2 minutes off the heat before serving. For extra color, add a handful of spinach at the end and let it wilt in the residual heat.
Substitutions
You can use boneless chicken thighs instead of breast. Feta can be replaced with soft goat cheese, and parsley with mint or dill. For a honey-free version, use the same amount of maple syrup.
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 imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
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
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