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Curried Chicken With Israeli Couscous Recipe

One-Pot Wonders
Yasmin Fahr
Published: Last Updated:
Curried Chicken With Israeli Couscous Recipe

[Photographs: Yasmin Fahr]

Quick kitchen tip: Use the time that the chicken is cooking to prep the chard and other ingredients to cut down on overall time.

I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to your next go-to weeknight meal, because that's what this dish has become for me. Shredded poached chicken and couscous—here flavored with curry and topped with crunchy pepitas and fresh cilantro—are all cooked in one skillet in under 30 minutes.

Why this recipe works:

  • We poach our chicken gently in the skillet, and then use the same poaching liquid to simmer our couscous, packing it with flavor.

  • We combine a great mix of flavors and textures—couscous, shredded poached chicken, braised Swiss chard, crunchy pepitas, and fresh cilantro leaves—all in one pot.

    • Read more: One-Pot Wonders: Curried Chicken With Israeli Couscous and Swiss Chard

    • Yield:Serves 4
    • Active time: 30 minutes
    • Total time:30 minutes
    • Rated: 3

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
    • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • 6 ounces Israeli (pearled) couscous
    • 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon madras curry powder, divided
    • 2 packed cups of roughly sliced Swiss chard leaves
    • 2 tablespoons fresh juice from 1 lemon
    • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
    • 1/2 cup toasted pepitas

    Directions

    1. 1.

      Place chicken in a medium pot and cover with cold water by three inches. Season with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of curry powder. Bring to a simmer over high heat, remove from heat, and let rest until chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside. Reserve poaching liquid in pot.

    2. 2.

      Adjust the heat to maintain a simmer. Add the couscous and remaining curry powder and season with salt and pepper. Cook until most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 12 minutes, adding a quarter cup of water if needed. As the water boils and the couscous cooks, shred the chicken. Stir in the chard leaves and shredded chicken and cook until leaves are wilted and the chicken is warm, about 3 minutes more. Stir in lemon juice and half of cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with remaining cilantro and pepitas and serve.

    This Recipe Appears In
    One-Pot Wonders: Curried Chicken With Israeli Couscous and Swiss Chard

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    Yasmin Fahr Contributor

    Yasmin Fahr is a food writer, recipe developer and author of the cookbook Keeping it Simple. She has a penchant for cheesy phrases, lemons, fresh herbs, feta and cumin (as you’ll soon see). She attended Cornell University and then completed a Master’s degree in Food Studies from New York University. Her writing and recipes have appeared online and in print publications such as The Kitchn, Epicurious, TASTE, Bon Appetit, Serious Eats, Food & Wine and others. She currently lives in NYC, with previous stints in London and Los Angeles. Please say hi to her online at @yasminfahr!

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