Gluten-Free Moroccan Couscous with Chicken: A Flavorful Journey!
In case
you want something unique yet appetizing and filling, and at the same time
gluten-free, this chicken Moroccan-style couscous will fit the bill perfectly!
Traditionally, couscous is made from wheat without a gluten-free option, but
this easy recipe derives the gluten-free ancient grain cousin’s alternative of
quinoa millet or even gluten-free couscous to address the celiac disease
challenges.
In this
article, I am going to walk you through the process of making a very tasty Gluten-Free
Moroccan Couscous with Chicken filled with warm spices and saturated with
vegetables and chicken meat. Expect new adaptations of this recipe to pop up in
your gluten-free diet whether you live in the United States, the UK, Canada, or
any European country.
Gluten-Free Couscous: What’s the Fuss?
Couscous
means a dish that is made of domed steamed back to the bottom porous lid and
serves gluten meals, hence the inapplicability of such dishes to celiac disease
and gluten intolerance. Well, thanks to the innovation, there are delicious
gluten-free options available that will give you that fluffy and grainy feel
ideal for this Moroccan cuisine. Often gluten-free couscous is made from corn,
quinoa, or rice. You can also use millet or quinoa, both of which are great at
absorbing the spices and flavors.
Ingredients for Gluten-Free Moroccan Couscous
with Chicken
This
recipe is gluten-free. Moroccan chicken couscous serves 4 people, which is
ideal for family dinners or even meal prepping for the week. It is both filling
and light, containing protein from the chicken and different types of
vegetables for healthy eating.
For the
Chicken and Vegetables:
Chicken
Breasts or Thighs: 4
pieces (about 600 grams)
May also use chicken tenders or even boneless skinless thighs for moister meat.
· Olive Oil: 3 Tbsps
· Onion: 1 medium diced
· Garlic: 4 columns minced
· Carrots: 2 large ones sliced into strips
· Zucchini: 1 medium-sized, chopped
· Bell Pepper: 1 large-sized cut into small rectangular pieces (any color),
· Chickpeas: 1 can (15 oz) cleaned and rinsed
· Raisins: ¼ cup (40 grams) included to enhance the sweetness and traditional taste of the dish.
· Chicken Broth: 2 cups (475 ml)
· Fresh Cilantro: A quarter cup of the fresh herb cut into small pieces for garnish
· Almonds: ¼ cup, toasted (optional for crunch)
For the Spice Mix (Ras el Hanout Blend):
· Ground Cumin: 1 tbsp
· Ground Coriander: 1 tbsp
· Ground Cinnamon: 1 tbsp
· Ground Ginger: ½ tbsp
· Ground Turmeric: ½ tbsp
· Ground Paprika: 1 tbsp
· Salt: 1 tbsp (to taste can be altered)
· Black Pepper: ½ tbsp
· Cayenne Pepper: ¼ tbsp (heat-inducing) – optional
For the Gluten-Free Couscous:
· Gluten-Free Couscous - either type you can use (or quinoa): 1 cup (200g)
or Pope millet or rice, as in this case.
· Water or Broth: 1 cup (300 ml) and 1 quart.
· Olive Oil: A single tablespoon
· Salt: ¼ tsp
Stepwise Process of Putting It Together
Procedure
1. Begin with Making the Spice Blend (Ras el
Hanout)
Take a small mixing bowl and add in all the spices the cumin, coriander,
cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and paprika and add salt and black pepper together
with cayenne, if it is included. Stir and set aside. This spice mix is very
important when trying to achieve that unique Moroccan taste.
2. Fry the
Chicken:
In a large pan or skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium
heat. Add salt and pepper to season the chicken, coating both sides and
browned, for about four to five minutes on each side or until seared. Take off
the chicken from the pan and keep it aside.
3. Cooking the Vegetables
A tablespoon of olive oil is added into the skillet along with the onions
and garlic and mixed for about two to three minutes until the onions are
tender. Afterwards, carrots, zucchini, and bell peppers are added and cooked
for softening the vegetables for an additional five minutes.
4. Incorporate chickpeas, raisins, and spices:
Add the remaining beans and dried fruits along with the spice mixture
known as Ras el Hanout. Stir fry for a couple of minutes more in order to let
the spice bloom and coat the vegetables.
5. Braise the Mixture:
Once simmering, add in chicken broth to the mixture. The previously
browned chicken is returned to the skillet, the lid placed on top, and the fire
reduced for around 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked all the way
through and soft.
6. Make Gluten-Free Couscous:
In the meantime, when the chicken is left to simmer, make your
gluten-free couscous or quinoa. Boil one and a quarter of a cup of water or
broth. Add gluten-free couscous, olive oil, and salt to the water and bring it
to a boil, then turn off the heat, put a lid on, and let it sit for five
minutes. Then, using a fork, floss the couscous to break up the bunch.
7. Meal Preparation:
When the chicken is nice and ready after cooking, taste the sauce and
season as appropriate. Take out the chicken and put it aside, then cut it into
small pieces or shred it.
Take an appropriate quantity of the gluten-free couscous and place it on
a serving tray or individual serving plates. On this, place the vegetable
mixture. Top the gratin dish with placed or shredded chicken portions cooked in
gluten-free chowder garnished with fresh coriander leaves and almond slivers if
needed.
Total Calorie Count (Per Serving):
Calories
per serving: 550 (will vary depending on the exact ingredients used and
their substitutions.)
· Protein: 35 grams
· Fat: 18 grams
· Carbohydrates: 65 grams
· Fiber: 9 grams
· Sugar: 14 grams
Reasons Why This Dish Is Adored:
- Diverse Taste: Apart from warm and savory
bases, most people spice up their stews with Ras el Hanout; thus, a more
sweetish warmth is appreciated by fans of Middle Eastern and North African
cuisines.
- Gluten-Free Option: The use of gluten-free
couscous, quinoa, or millet will allow you to relish the taste of Moroccan
couscous without any concerns of cross-contamination as it contains no
gluten. This is useful for people suffering from celiac disease or those
intolerant to gluten.
- Wholesome and Filling: With the chicken providing
proteins, the vegetables and chickpeas adding fiber, and the olive oil and
almonds healthy fat content, this dish is a healthy meal option that can
be taken and will keep you fuller for longer.
- Suitable for Kids: Although the dish has
exotic flavors, the taste is not overwhelming for the children. This dish
is ideal for all ages, as the chicken is tender and sweetened with
raisins.
- Flexible: You can prepare and fill it
with whatever vegetables are available to you or instead turn it
vegetarian by replacing the chicken with more chickpeas or tofu. It is
also suitable for almost every occasion!
Ideas For Serving The Dish:
Accompaniment: Serve along with a refreshing salad of cucumber
and yogurt, which complements the dish’s spicy flavors well.
Bread: Scoop the lovely sauce with gluten-free flatbread
or pita; this helps in enjoying every bit of the sauce.
Reheating: Place any unused portions into a sealed container
and refrigerate where they will be safe for 3 days. Please warm carefully on
the hob or microwave before consumption. Though the dish is great on the first
day as well, it improves even more on the second!
Concluding Perspectives:
Properly
spiced, everybody can prepare the Gluten-Free Moroccan Couscous with Chicken
in a matter of minutes and effectively transport themselves to the stunningly
colorful Morocco. If you are just starting to cook gluten-free or have been
doing it for years, this particular dish is bound to make its way into your
meal plans. The dish with juicy pieces of chicken, fluffy gluten-free couscous,
and vegetables with medicinal qualities is simply breathtaking and very much
enjoyed by both young and old.
So,
switch on your stove, grab your spices, and get ready for this appetizing
gluten-free version of a classic Moroccan dish. Enjoy!.