Zesty Lemon Herb Chicken Couscous Delight Recipe for Dinner

Lemon herb chicken couscous combines vibrant Mediterranean flavors in a delightful culinary experience.

Light and refreshing ingredients dance together, creating a harmonious meal that sparks joy on your plate.

Zesty citrus notes intertwine with fragrant herbs, promising a sensory adventure that goes beyond ordinary dinner preparations.

Delicate proteins mingle with fluffy grains, offering a balanced and nutritious option for health-conscious individuals.

This recipe celebrates simplicity while delivering complex taste profiles that will surprise and satisfy you.

Nutritious and quick to assemble, the dish represents a perfect weeknight solution for those seeking delicious yet uncomplicated meals.

You can find yourself drawn into its aromatic charm, eager to savor each carefully crafted bite.

Cooking Steps for Lemon Herb Chicken Couscous

Step 1: Prepare the Savory Stock

• Chicken thighs
• Fresh parsley sprigs
• Salt

Place chicken thighs in a 3.5-quart pot and sprinkle with salt. Gently lay parsley sprigs on top. Pour water to completely cover the chicken. Bring the liquid to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer gently for 2 hours, allowing flavors to develop deeply. Carefully remove the chicken and strain the liquid, discarding the parsley. Return the golden broth back to the pot.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Olive oil
• Onion
• Celery
• Seasoning salt

Heat olive oil in the pot over medium flame. Add diced onions and chopped celery, stirring occasionally. Cook until vegetables become soft and translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Sprinkle seasoning salt and taste, adjusting flavors as needed.

Step 3: Create Couscous Base

• Pearl couscous
• Shredded chicken
• Stock

Add pearl couscous to the pot and toast for 2 minutes. Pour in the reserved stock and shredded chicken. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower heat. Simmer uncovered until couscous becomes tender, around 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to enhance the taste.

Step 4: Finish with Bright Herbs

• Fresh dill
• Lemon juice

Chop fresh dill and squeeze lemon juice into the pot. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes, allowing herbs to infuse their vibrant flavors. The result will be a refreshing and comforting meal bursting with Mediterranean-inspired goodness.

Expert Tips for Lemon Herb Chicken Couscous

• Boost Flavor Depth: Toast pearl couscous in olive oil before adding liquid to enhance its nutty, rich taste and prevent clumping.
• Maximize Chicken Tenderness: Simmer chicken slowly at low heat to ensure meat remains incredibly juicy and falls apart effortlessly.
• Perfect Stock Technique: Strain broth thoroughly to remove any impurities, creating a crystal-clear, clean-tasting base for your soup.
• Herb Freshness Hack: Add delicate herbs like dill at the end of cooking to preserve their vibrant flavor and bright green color.
• Acid Balance Mastery: Squeeze fresh lemon juice just before serving to brighten the entire dish and add a zesty, fresh dimension.

Storing and Reheating Lemon Herb Chicken Couscous

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftover lemon herb chicken couscous into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even heating, about 5-7 minutes.
• Freeze: Cool completely before placing in freezer-safe containers. Will maintain quality for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to preserve texture and flavor.

Serving Lemon Herb Chicken Couscous

• Zesty Herb Wine Pairing: Complement the bright lemon and herb flavors with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, which will enhance the chicken's delicate herbs and citrus notes.
• Crusty Bread Companion: Serve with a rustic sourdough or herbed focaccia to soak up the rich, flavorful broth and add textural contrast to the tender couscous.
• Fresh Salad Sidekick: Pair with a light Mediterranean-style salad featuring cucumber, tomatoes, and a simple olive oil and lemon dressing to echo the dish's bright, fresh profile.
• Refreshing Citrus Drink: Accompany with a sparkling lemonade or citrus-infused iced tea to amplify the lemony undertones and cleanse the palate between bites.

Creative Versions of Lemon Herb Chicken Couscous

• Mediterranean Zest: Replace pearl couscous with quinoa for a protein-packed alternative, adding roasted red peppers and kalamata olives for extra Mediterranean flavor.
• Spicy Moroccan Style: Incorporate harissa paste and ground cumin into the broth, swap dill for fresh cilantro, and garnish with toasted pine nuts for a warm, spicy profile.
• Green Herb Boost: Enhance the herb mixture by adding fresh basil and mint alongside dill, introducing chopped spinach for additional nutrition and vibrant green color.
• Creamy Herb Fusion: Stir in a dollop of Greek yogurt just before serving, creating a creamy texture and adding tangy complexity to the chicken couscous soup.

Questions on Lemon Herb Chicken Couscous

• How long does it take to cook this Lemon Herb Chicken Couscous?

The total cooking time is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, with chicken simmering for 2 hours and the final soup preparation taking about 30 minutes.

• Can I use a different type of chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use chicken breasts or other cuts, but thighs work best for creating a rich, flavorful broth and tender meat.

• Is pearl couscous different from regular couscous?

Pearl couscous (also called Israeli couscous) is larger and has a slightly chewy texture compared to traditional smaller couscous, which gives this dish a unique consistency.

• How can I make this recipe more spicy?

You can add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or your favorite hot sauce during the seasoning stage to increase the heat level to your preference.

Features of Lemon Herb Chicken Couscous

• This lemon herb chicken couscous dish offers a simple yet deeply satisfying meal that comes together with minimal cooking skills, perfect for busy home cooks looking for a nourishing and delicious dinner option.
• The recipe combines tender chicken, aromatic herbs like dill and parsley, bright lemon juice, and hearty pearl couscous, creating a multi-dimensional taste experience that dances across your palate with each spoonful.
• By simmering chicken in homemade stock and incorporating vegetables like onion and celery, this recipe delivers a complete meal packed with protein, nutrients, and robust flavors without creating multiple dirty dishes to clean afterward.
• With a total cooking time around 2.5 hours that includes mostly hands-off simmering, this dish provides a warm, comforting meal that can be prepared easily after work, making dinnertime stress-free and delightful.

Ingredients for Lemon Herb Chicken Couscous

• Chicken Thighs: Succulent meat that provides rich flavor and tender texture for the soup.
• Shredded Chicken: Soft protein that adds heartiness and substance to the dish.

• Parsley Sprigs: Aromatic herb for initial stock infusion with fresh, light flavor.
• Dill: Bright, tangy herb that adds a fresh, zesty finish to the soup.
• Seasoning Salt: Provides depth and balanced seasoning for overall taste.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing the soup's flavor profile.

• Pearl Couscous: Delicate, round pasta that creates a satisfying texture and absorbs the stock's flavors.
• Olive Oil: Smooth cooking fat that helps sauté vegetables and create a rich base.
• Onion, Celery: Aromatic vegetables that build a flavorful foundation for the soup.
• Water/Stock: Primary liquid that creates the soup's consistency and carries deep chicken flavor.
• Lemon Juice: Bright, acidic element that adds a fresh, citrusy finish to the dish.

Lemon Herb Chicken Couscous Delight Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mediterranean-inspired Lemon Herb Chicken Couscous Delight brings zesty flavors dancing across your plate with fresh herbs and tender chicken. Fragrant spices and light couscous create a perfect balance that invites you to savor each vibrant, delicious bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 8 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs

Herbs and Fresh Produce:

• 1 small bunch fresh parsley
• ⅓ cup fresh dill, roughly chopped
• 1 yellow onion, peeled and diced
• 4 ribs celery with leaves, trimmed and diced
• 1 lemon, juiced

Dry Ingredients and Seasonings:

• 1 cup pearl couscous
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Cancale seasoning salt to taste
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Dukkah for serving
• Oyster splitters or saltines for serving
• Extra virgin olive oil for garnish
• Water as needed

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Submerge chicken thighs in a spacious pot, generously seasoning with salt and nestling fresh parsley sprigs on top. Fill with water until ingredients are completely covered.
2. Bring liquid to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and allow chicken to poach slowly for approximately two hours, developing rich, deep flavor.
3. Carefully extract chicken from the broth, then meticulously strain the liquid, discarding parsley remnants. Return the fragrant stock to the original cooking vessel.
4. Drizzle olive oil into the pot over medium flame, introducing finely diced onions and celery. Sauté the vegetables until they transform into a translucent, softened mixture, releasing their aromatic essence.
5. Sprinkle seasoning salt across the vegetables, tasting and adjusting the flavor profile to ensure a balanced and vibrant base.
6. Introduce pearl couscous to the pot, gently toasting the grains for two minutes to enhance their nutty undertones.
7. Pour the reserved chicken stock into the pot, followed by delicately shredded chicken meat. Elevate the temperature until the liquid reaches a vigorous boil.
8. Reduce heat and allow the mixture to simmer uncovered, permitting the couscous to absorb the flavorful liquid and become perfectly tender, approximately fifteen minutes.
9. Season the dish with additional salt and freshly cracked pepper, ensuring a harmonious taste throughout.
10. Fold in freshly chopped dill and a bright splash of lemon juice. Continue simmering for a final five minutes to marry the flavors and heighten the dish’s aromatic qualities.

Notes

• Slow-cooking chicken creates a rich, flavorful homemade broth that forms the foundation of this comforting soup.
• Pearl couscous provides a delightful texture and absorbs the aromatic herbs and lemon perfectly.
• Choose fresh herbs like dill and parsley to elevate the soup’s brightness and depth of flavor.
• Total cooking time is approximately 2.5 hours, making this an ideal weekend meal preparation.
• Using chicken thighs ensures tender, succulent meat that easily shreds and adds richness to the dish.
• The combination of lemon juice and fresh herbs transforms a simple soup into a vibrant, refreshing meal.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 90mg