A beautifully roasted chicken served on a bed of fluffy couscous pilaf, garnished with fresh herbs and pomegranate seeds.

Sumac Roasted Chicken with Couscous Pilaf

Name: Sumac Roasted Chicken with Couscous Pilaf
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: 2 bone-in chicken breasts; 2 teaspoons sumac; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon ground coriander; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 lemon juiced and zested; 3 cloves garlic minced; 2 tablespoons olive oil; to taste Salt; to taste pepper; 1 cup couscous; 1 small onion finely chopped; 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots; 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; to taste Salt; to taste pepper

Aromatic Middle Eastern spiced chicken with fluffy couscous pilaf.

Category Main Course

Prep 40 minutes

Cook 30 minutes

Style Middle Eastern

Technique Roasting

Diet Friendly Paleo

Daily recipe · August 02, 2023

A little about this dish

In this recipe, we bring together the vibrant flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine with seasonal ingredients to create a delectable main course. Inspired by the cloudy but warm weather of a typical summer day, this dish will transport you to the bustling streets of a Middle Eastern market. Get ready to savor the aromatic spices, fresh herbs, and exotic flavors!

Ingredients (for 2)

Bone-in chicken breasts — 2
Sumac — 2 teaspoons
Ground cumin — 1 teaspoon
Ground coriander — 1 teaspoon
Paprika — 1 teaspoon
Lemon — 1 — juiced and zested
Cloves garlic — 3 — minced
Olive oil — 2 tablespoons
Salt — to taste
Pepper — to taste
Couscous — 1 cup
Small onion — 1 — finely chopped
Chopped dried apricots — 1/4 cup
Toasted pine nuts — 1/4 cup
Chopped fresh parsley — 2 tablespoons
Chopped fresh mint — 2 tablespoons
Lemon juice — 1 tablespoon
Extra virgin olive oil — 1 tablespoon
Salt — to taste
Pepper — to taste

Preparation

Step 1 — 🔥💨🌡️

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2 — 🥣🌶️🍋

In a small bowl, mix together the sumac, cumin, coriander, paprika, lemon zest, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Step 3 — 🐔🌶️🌿

Rub the chicken breasts with the spice mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated. Let them marinate for 30 minutes.
Step 4 — 🍗🔥⏰

Place the marinated chicken breasts on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through and nicely browned.
Step 5 — 🔪🍳🧅

While the chicken is roasting, prepare the couscous pilaf. In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened.
Step 6 — 🍚🔥🥄

Add the couscous to the saucepan and stir until lightly toasted. Pour in 1 1/4 cups of water and bring to a boil.
Step 7 — 🍚🔥🍲

Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let the couscous simmer for 10 minutes or until all the water is absorbed.
Step 8 — 🧊🍚🍴

Remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork.
Step 9 — 🥣🥗🥄

Stir in the chopped dried apricots, toasted pine nuts, parsley, mint, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Step 10 — 🍽️🥗🍗

To serve, divide the couscous pilaf on plates and place a roasted chicken breast on top. Garnish with fresh herbs and pomegranate seeds, if desired.
Step 11 — 🌟🍰😋

Enjoy this delicious Middle Eastern feast!

A final fox tip

For a vegetarian option, replace the chicken with roasted vegetables like eggplant, bell peppers, and zucchini. Kids can help with marinating the chicken and fluffing the couscous pilaf.