Chicken with Fall Vegetables and Whole Grain Couscous

October 24, 2018

Chicken with Fall Vegetables and Whole Grain Couscous
 
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This hearty autumn recipe is chock full of exotic spices and familiar vegetables. It’s delicious on those early fall nights when there’s the slightest chill in the air.
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Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1.5 lb (0.5 kg) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, quartered
  • 1 cup (250 mL) chickpeas, dried
  • 6 cups (1.5 L) water
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 mL) saffron
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 mL) turmeric
  • 1 cinnamon stick(s), 6 ", broken in half
  • 6 cups (1.5 L) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 red onion(s), cut in ⅛ths
  • 20 baby carrots
  • 1 cup (250 mL) parsnip(s), diced
  • 2 cups (500 mL) butternut squash, peeled, diced
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) red hot chili pepper(s), fresh, minced
  • 4 plum tomatoes, cut in ⅛ths
  • 1 cup (250 mL) zucchini, sliced
  • ½ tsp (2.5 mL) salt
  • ¼ cup (60 mL) seedless raisins
  • ½ cup (125 mL) flat leaf parsley, fresh, minced
  • 1 cup (250 mL) whole grain couscous
  • 2 cups (500 mL) water, for the couscous
Instructions
  1. Place dry chickpeas in 1.5 liters of water in a large pot. Bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer until chickpeas are tender but not overcooked - approximately 45 minutes. Drain and set aside. (This can be done 1-2 days ahead. Keep cooked chickpeas in the fridge).
  2. In a large pot over medium heat, add the saffron and toast for 1 minute. Add turmeric, cinnamon, chicken broth and stir. Add chicken, onions, carrots, parsnips, squash and chili pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer covered for 10 minutes.
  3. Add tomatoes and zucchini. Simmer, covered, until just cooked. Add salt, cooked chickpeas, raisins and fresh minced parsley. Remove cinnamon stick.
  4. To prepare the couscous pour 2 cups (500 mL) of boiling water into a glass serving dish with a lid. Stir in whole-grain couscous, cover and let sit 15 minutes.
  5. To serve, place a large spoonful of couscous in the centre of each plate or shallow soup dish. Ladle broth, chicken and vegetables around couscous. Garnish with fresh parsley and a few raisins.
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 670g Calories: 430 Fat: 9g Saturated fat: 2g Carbohydrates: 54g Sugar: 14g Sodium: 410mg Fiber: 7g Protein: 36g Cholesterol: 95mg

 

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