Gluten-Free Moroccan Couscous with Chicken: A Flavorful Journey!

 

In case you want something unique yet appetizing and filling, and at the same time gluten-free, this chicken Moroccan-style couscous will fit the bill perfectly! Traditionally, couscous is made from wheat without a gluten-free option, but this easy recipe derives the gluten-free ancient grain cousin’s alternative of quinoa millet or even gluten-free couscous to address the celiac disease challenges.

In this article, I am going to walk you through the process of making a very tasty Gluten-Free Moroccan Couscous with Chicken filled with warm spices and saturated with vegetables and chicken meat. Expect new adaptations of this recipe to pop up in your gluten-free diet whether you live in the United States, the UK, Canada, or any European country. 

 Gluten-Free Couscous: What’s the Fuss?

Couscous means a dish that is made of domed steamed back to the bottom porous lid and serves gluten meals, hence the inapplicability of such dishes to celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Well, thanks to the innovation, there are delicious gluten-free options available that will give you that fluffy and grainy feel ideal for this Moroccan cuisine. Often gluten-free couscous is made from corn, quinoa, or rice. You can also use millet or quinoa, both of which are great at absorbing the spices and flavors. 

 Ingredients for Gluten-Free Moroccan Couscous with Chicken

This recipe is gluten-free. Moroccan chicken couscous serves 4 people, which is ideal for family dinners or even meal prepping for the week. It is both filling and light, containing protein from the chicken and different types of vegetables for healthy eating.

  For the Chicken and Vegetables:

Chicken Breasts or Thighs: 4 pieces (about 600 grams)

  May also use chicken tenders or even boneless skinless thighs for moister meat.

·         Olive Oil: 3 Tbsps

·         Onion: 1 medium diced

·         Garlic: 4 columns minced

·         Carrots: 2 large ones sliced into strips

·         Zucchini: 1 medium-sized, chopped

·         Bell Pepper: 1 large-sized cut into small rectangular pieces (any color),

·         Chickpeas: 1 can (15 oz) cleaned and rinsed

·         Raisins: ¼ cup (40 grams) included to enhance the sweetness and traditional taste of the dish.

·         Chicken Broth: 2 cups (475 ml)

·         Fresh Cilantro: A quarter cup of the fresh herb cut into small pieces for garnish

·         Almonds: ¼ cup, toasted (optional for crunch) 

 For the Spice Mix (Ras el Hanout Blend):

·         Ground Cumin: 1 tbsp

·         Ground Coriander: 1 tbsp

·         Ground Cinnamon: 1 tbsp

·         Ground Ginger: ½ tbsp

·         Ground Turmeric: ½ tbsp

·         Ground Paprika: 1 tbsp

·         Salt: 1 tbsp (to taste can be altered)

·         Black Pepper: ½ tbsp

·         Cayenne Pepper: ¼ tbsp (heat-inducing) – optional 

 For the Gluten-Free Couscous:

·         Gluten-Free Couscous - either type you can use (or quinoa): 1 cup (200g)

or Pope millet or rice, as in this case.

·         Water or Broth: 1 cup (300 ml) and 1 quart.

·         Olive Oil: A single tablespoon

·         Salt: ¼ tsp

 100 GLUTEN-FREE COOK BOOKS BUNDLE

 Stepwise Process of Putting It Together Procedure

 

 1. Begin with Making the Spice Blend (Ras el Hanout)

   Take a small mixing bowl and add in all the spices—the cumin, coriander, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and paprika—and add salt and black pepper together with cayenne, if it is included. Stir and set aside. This spice mix is very important when trying to achieve that unique Moroccan taste.

  2. Fry the Chicken:

   In a large pan or skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add salt and pepper to season the chicken, coating both sides and browned, for about four to five minutes on each side or until seared. Take off the chicken from the pan and keep it aside. 

 3. Cooking the Vegetables

   A tablespoon of olive oil is added into the skillet along with the onions and garlic and mixed for about two to three minutes until the onions are tender. Afterwards, carrots, zucchini, and bell peppers are added and cooked for softening the vegetables for an additional five minutes. 

 4. Incorporate chickpeas, raisins, and spices:

   Add the remaining beans and dried fruits along with the spice mixture known as Ras el Hanout. Stir fry for a couple of minutes more in order to let the spice bloom and coat the vegetables. 

 5. Braise the Mixture:

   Once simmering, add in chicken broth to the mixture. The previously browned chicken is returned to the skillet, the lid placed on top, and the fire reduced for around 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked all the way through and soft. 

 6. Make Gluten-Free Couscous:

   In the meantime, when the chicken is left to simmer, make your gluten-free couscous or quinoa. Boil one and a quarter of a cup of water or broth. Add gluten-free couscous, olive oil, and salt to the water and bring it to a boil, then turn off the heat, put a lid on, and let it sit for five minutes. Then, using a fork, floss the couscous to break up the bunch. 

 7. Meal Preparation:

   When the chicken is nice and ready after cooking, taste the sauce and season as appropriate. Take out the chicken and put it aside, then cut it into small pieces or shred it.

   Take an appropriate quantity of the gluten-free couscous and place it on a serving tray or individual serving plates. On this, place the vegetable mixture. Top the gratin dish with placed or shredded chicken portions cooked in gluten-free chowder garnished with fresh coriander leaves and almond slivers if needed.

 Gluten-Free Lifestyle Video Guide

 Total Calorie Count (Per Serving):

 Calories per serving: 550 (will vary depending on the exact ingredients used and their substitutions.)

·         Protein: 35 grams

·         Fat: 18 grams

·         Carbohydrates: 65 grams

·         Fiber: 9 grams

·         Sugar: 14 grams 

 Reasons Why This Dish Is Adored: 

1. Diverse Taste: Apart from warm and savory bases, most people spice up their stews with Ras el Hanout; thus, a more sweetish warmth is appreciated by fans of Middle Eastern and North African cuisines. 

2. Gluten-Free Option: The use of gluten-free couscous, quinoa, or millet will allow you to relish the taste of Moroccan couscous without any concerns of cross-contamination as it contains no gluten. This is useful for people suffering from celiac disease or those intolerant to gluten. 

3. Wholesome and Filling: With the chicken providing proteins, the vegetables and chickpeas adding fiber, and the olive oil and almonds healthy fat content, this dish is a healthy meal option that can be taken and will keep you fuller for longer. 

4. Suitable for Kids: Although the dish has exotic flavors, the taste is not overwhelming for the children. This dish is ideal for all ages, as the chicken is tender and sweetened with raisins. 

5. Flexible: You can prepare and fill it with whatever vegetables are available to you or instead turn it vegetarian by replacing the chicken with more chickpeas or tofu. It is also suitable for almost every occasion! 

 Ideas For Serving The Dish: 

Accompaniment: Serve along with a refreshing salad of cucumber and yogurt, which complements the dish’s spicy flavors well.

Bread: Scoop the lovely sauce with gluten-free flatbread or pita; this helps in enjoying every bit of the sauce.

Reheating: Place any unused portions into a sealed container and refrigerate where they will be safe for 3 days. Please warm carefully on the hob or microwave before consumption. Though the dish is great on the first day as well, it improves even more on the second! 

 Concluding Perspectives: 

Properly spiced, everybody can prepare the Gluten-Free Moroccan Couscous with Chicken in a matter of minutes and effectively transport themselves to the stunningly colorful Morocco. If you are just starting to cook gluten-free or have been doing it for years, this particular dish is bound to make its way into your meal plans. The dish with juicy pieces of chicken, fluffy gluten-free couscous, and vegetables with medicinal qualities is simply breathtaking and very much enjoyed by both young and old.

So, switch on your stove, grab your spices, and get ready for this appetizing gluten-free version of a classic Moroccan dish. Enjoy!.