If you’re in the mood for a delicious, flavorful meal that’s light but filling, this Airfryer Moroccan Chicken Couscous is the perfect choice! The spiced chicken in a fiery sauce pairs wonderfully with the sweet and vibrant couscous salad. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make, especially if you’re short on time. Whether you’re looking to impress for dinner or need a speedy meal, this dish will definitely satisfy your cravings!
Method in Detail
Preheat the Air Fryer
Start by preheating your air fryer to 200°C. This ensures it’s hot and ready to cook your chicken perfectly. While the air fryer is heating, prepare the chicken. In a bowl, combine the chicken breasts with the olive oil, garlic purée, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, ground turmeric, onion granules, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss everything together, making sure the chicken is well-coated in the flavorful mixture. Let it marinate for a few minutes while you move on to preparing the couscous.
Air-Fry the Chicken
Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the air fryer basket. Arrange them in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Air-fry the chicken for 15-17 minutes. Check after 15 minutes to see if the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F) to ensure it’s safe to eat. The air fryer should give you perfectly crispy, spiced chicken in just under 20 minutes!
Prepare the Couscous
While the chicken is cooking, start preparing the couscous. In a heatproof bowl, combine the couscous with the ground turmeric and hot chicken stock. Stir well, then cover the bowl with cling film to allow the couscous to steam. Let it sit for about 15 minutes while the chicken finishes cooking. During this time, the couscous will absorb the stock and the turmeric, which will give it a lovely golden color and rich flavor.
Finish the Couscous
Once the couscous is ready, remove the cling film and fluff the grains with a fork to separate them and ensure they’re light and fluffy. Then, add the chopped sundried tomatoes, dried fruit (such as sultanas or raisins), cucumber, pomegranate seeds, balsamic vinegar, and freshly chopped basil. Stir everything together until the ingredients are evenly distributed and the couscous has a vibrant, colorful look. This step adds freshness, sweetness, and a nice tang from the balsamic vinegar.
Serve
Once the chicken is cooked and the couscous is ready, it’s time to serve! Slice the chicken into thin strips or pieces, and plate it alongside the couscous salad. For added flair, you can spoon some of the sauce from the air fryer over the chicken. Serve with a fresh salad of your choice or some warm pita bread for extra texture. This dish is versatile and perfect for a light yet satisfying meal. Enjoy!
Necessary Tools
- Air fryer
- Heatproof bowl
- Cling film
- Fork
- Knife and chopping board
Moroccan Chicken & Couscous
Cuisine: MoroccoDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes20
minutes35
minutesIngredients
For the Chicken:
4 chicken breasts (butterflied or left whole)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp garlic purée
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp onion granules
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Couscous:
150g couscous
1 tbsp ground turmeric
150ml hot chicken stock (plus more if required)
50g sundried tomatoes, chopped
1 tbsp dried fruit (sultanas or raisins are great)
½ cucumber, chopped
2 tbsp pomegranate seeds
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Handful of fresh basil, chopped
Directions
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Start by setting your air fryer to 200°C. While it’s heating up, prep the chicken. Combine the chicken with olive oil, garlic purée, cumin, paprika, oregano, turmeric, onion granules, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Toss everything together until the chicken is well coated.
- Air-Fry the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken into the air fryer basket and air-fry for 15-17 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
- Prepare the Couscous: While the chicken is cooking, add the couscous, turmeric, and hot chicken stock to a heatproof bowl. Stir it up, cover with cling film, and let it sit for about 15 minutes to absorb all the flavors.
- Finish the Couscous: Once the couscous is ready, fluff the grains with a fork. Add the chopped sundried tomatoes, dried fruit, cucumber, pomegranate seeds, balsamic vinegar, and fresh basil. Stir everything together until it’s well combined.
- Serve: Slice the chicken and serve it alongside the couscous salad. You can add a fresh salad of your choice, and spoon the delicious sauce over the top.
Notes
- Air fryer cook times may vary: Depending on your air fryer model, the cooking time for the chicken may need adjustment. Always check that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 75°C (165°F) to ensure it’s fully cooked.
- Don’t overcook the couscous: Make sure to cover the couscous while it steams. If it gets too dry, add a little more chicken stock to moisten it up.
- Cut the chicken evenly: Butterflying the chicken breast ensures it cooks more evenly and faster, but if you prefer, you can leave it whole, just be mindful of longer cooking times.
Serving Suggestions
- This Moroccan Chicken & Couscous is fantastic on its own, but you can also pair it with a simple side salad, steamed veggies, or some crunchy pita bread to soak up any leftover sauce.
- For an extra burst of flavor, top the couscous with some crumbled feta cheese or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
Fun Fact
Did you know that couscous is actually made from semolina wheat and has been a staple food in North African cuisine for centuries? It’s light, quick to cook, and can be paired with all sorts of dishes, just like this Moroccan-inspired meal!
Conclusion
This Airfryer Moroccan Chicken Couscous is the perfect balance of flavors and textures spicy chicken, sweet couscous, and fresh veggies all come together to create a meal that’s quick, satisfying, and packed with vibrant flavors. It’s a great option when you need something both delicious and easy to prepare! Enjoy it for dinner, lunch, or anytime you want a taste of Morocco right at home.
