North African Spicy Chicken Couscous Recipes

NORTH AFRICAN CHICKEN TAGINE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C/gas 4. Cut each chicken breast in half, then season all the chicken. Heat the oil in a mediumsize ovenproof casserole dish. Add the chicken, skin-side down, and brown well all over - you can do it in batches. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Lower heat slightly, add the shallots to the pan and cook until golden brown all over. Add the garlic and grated ginger and cook for 30 secs before adding all the spices and cooking for 1 min more.
• Throw the butternut squash into the pan and stir to coat in the spices. Arrange the chicken, skin side uppermost, on top of the shallots and squash. Pour over the stock and drizzle in the honey. Bring to a gentle simmer, then transfer to the oven to bake for 40 mins until tender. Scatter with the coriander and serve with couscous and a bowl of harissa, if you like.

GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH NORTH AFRICAN SPICE PASTE

Steps:

• Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking with medium-hot charcoal.
• Coarsely grind chiles, spice seeds, garlic, and peppercorns in grinder or with mortar and pestle, then stir together with salt and oil in a bowl to form a spice paste. Rub paste all over chicken.
• Oil grill rack, then grill chicken, skin sides down first, over coals, turning over occasionally and moving around if flare-ups occur, until browned, 4 to 5 minutes total.
• Move chicken to area with no coals underneath, arranging chicken so that thicker sides are closest to coals, then cover with inverted roasting pan and grill, turning chicken over once, until just cooked through, 15 to 17 minutes. Transfer to a platter and let stand 5 minutes before serving.

NORTH AFRICAN SPICED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Add the chicken to a large bowl then drizzle with avocado oil and all the spices. Using a pair of tongs turn and mix the chicken pieces and spices together until they are evenly distributed over the chicken.
• Sear the chicken about a minute or to per side on a large frying pan heated to medium high heat.
• Bake in the oven at 350ºF for 15 minutes, or until the internal temperautre reaches 165ºF.

NORTH AFRICAN CHICKEN AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan, and gradually stir in couscous and raisins.
• Remove from heat.
• Cover; let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
• Combine orange juice and next 6 ingredients (orange juice through black pepper); stir well with a whisk.
• Combine the couscous mixture, juice mixture, chicken, and remaining ingredients in a large bowl, and toss well.
• Garnish with green onions, if desired.

NORTH AFRICAN SPICY CHICKEN COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In small bowl, combine curry powder, cumin, salt, paprika, cinnamon and pepper flakes; mix North African Spice Blend well. In another small bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, gingerroot and 1 tablespoon North African Spice Blend (reserving remaining Spice Blend for couscous); blend well. Reserve 1/2 cup mixture for basting. Place chicken in plastic bag with remainder of marinade and turn to coat. Let stand in refrigerator 15 minutes. Grate 1 teaspoon zest from orange. Cut away remaining peel and pith. Chop orange; set aside. Remove chicken from marinade and place on broiler pan about 5-inches from heat. Broil 7 minutes; turn chicken, brush with reserved marinade. Broil additional 6 minutes or until fork can be inserted with ease and juices run clear. While chicken is broiling, bring broth, currants, orange zest and remaining Spice Blend to a boil. Stir in couscous. Remove from heat, let stand 5 minutes. Stir in chopped orange, toasted nuts, onions and cilantro. Spread on serving platter. Remove chicken to cutting board and slice diagonally into 1/2-inch slices. Arrange on couscous. Garnish with citrus curls.