Summer Couscous Recipe
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Dinner
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1¼ to 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more as needed
  • 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more to taste
  • 4 to 5 ripe but firm apricots, halved and pitted
  • ⅔ cup frozen peas
  • 1¼ cups water
  • 1 cup whole wheat or regular instant couscous
  • ⅓ cup toasted slivered almonds
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Whisk together 3 tablespoons of olive oil, the mustard, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Toss the chicken in the mixture until well coated. Spread out on the lined baking sheet as flat as possible and roast 23-25 minutes, until cooked through. When done, remove from the oven and let rest 2 minutes. Then chop into 1-inch pieces and set aside. Reserve any cooking juices.
  3. Grease an 8 by 8-inch pan with olive oil and place the apricots cut-side down in the pan. Season with salt and pepper and roast 4 to 5 minutes, until softened. Let cool, then cut into chunks.
  4. Meanwhile, place the peas in a colander and run under hot tap water for 30 seconds to partially defrost.
  5. Bring the water and 1 teaspoon kosher salt to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in the couscous and peas, remove from the heat, cover, and let stand 5 minutes, until the water is absorbed. (Some brands of couscous might give different preparation instructions, but this method will work for all types.)
  6. To serve, transfer the couscous to a wide serving bowl and fluff with a fork, then stir in the chopped chicken pieces and reserved chicken juices and/or a drizzle of olive oil. Toss in the apricots. Sprinkle with the almonds, and serve.
Notes
To save time opt for a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. Simply toss with the mustard dressing and set aside.

Do not overcook the apricots or they will be too mushy. When done roasting, remove immediately from the baking sheet to prevent further cooking.
Recipe by Jennifer Tyler Lee at https://www.52newfoods.com/summer-couscous-recipe/