In this article about pearl couscous recipe with Mediterranean chicken oven vegetables: Not in the mood for bread during lunch? A filling salad to take as dinner? Or are you looking for a flavorful dish to surprise your guests? With pearl couscous as a base, you can go in any direction, and this variant with Mediterranean chicken and oven vegetables is super tasty. Here’s how to make this pearl couscous recipe.
Pearl couscous recipe with Mediterranean chicken oven vegetables explained
Pearl couscous as a carbohydrate source
Research shows that Dutch people most often choose bread, rice, or pasta as a carbohydrate source. But have you ever tried pearl couscous? This grain product is surprisingly versatile and has health benefits compared to other carbohydrate sources. Here are some advantages of pearl couscous:
Pearl couscous (also known as Israeli couscous) has a few advantages over regular couscous:
Absorbs flavors well: Ideal for soups, stews, and salads, as it absorbs sauces and spices well.
Firmer and less sticky: Unlike regular couscous, it clumps together less quickly and has a firmer texture with a nice bite.
Often more nutritious: Pearl couscous often contains slightly more fiber and protein than regular couscous or pasta, especially if you choose a whole grain variant.
Surprisingly versatile: Suitable for both warm dishes and cold salads, making it a versatile choice for various lunch and dinner recipes.
Ingredients for pearl couscous recipe with Mediterranean chicken
For this pearl couscous recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
Pearl couscous (whole grain)
1 red bell pepper
2 sweet potatoes
1 parsnip
1/2 zucchini
1 shallot
2 chicken breasts
3 tablespoons yogurt
Feta or goat cheese
Optional: coriander
Cumin seeds, paprika powder, rosemary, ground cumin, coriander powder, garam masala.
Preparation of pearl couscous recipe with Mediterranean chicken
This pearl couscous recipe is ready in 45 minutes, and the oven does most of the work. Here’s how to make it:
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
Cut the chicken into pieces and marinate with a spoonful of olive oil, garam masala, cumin, coriander powder, and paprika powder. Let it marinate for a while.
Cut the red bell pepper, sweet potato, and parsnip into pieces and spread the vegetables on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Season the bell pepper with cumin seeds, the sweet potato with paprika powder, and the parsnip with rosemary. Place in the oven for 25 minutes.
Cut the zucchini and shallot and cook the chicken until done in 15 minutes.
Cook the whole grain pearl couscous according to the package instructions.
Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the yogurt, season with ground cumin and coriander powder, and thin it out with a little water to make a thick but not too thick sauce.
First, scoop a portion of pearl couscous onto a plate and distribute the vegetables and chicken over the plate. Garnish with feta or goat cheese and finish with the yogurt sauce and possibly some fresh coriander.
Enjoy your meal!
Nutritional values pearl couscous recipe with Mediterranean chicken
With this pearl couscous recipe, you will get enough fiber, protein, vitamins, and unsaturated fats, which fits within a healthy diet. These are the nutritional values for 1 serving:
486 calories – 32 grams of protein – 24 grams of fat – 36 grams of carbohydrates
This calculation is based on the ingredients shared by two good adult portions. Delicious as dinner and ideal for taking leftovers as lunch the next day. Also a recipe that often works well when you have guests!
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