These Easy Moroccan Chicken Couscous Bowls are healthy and delicious! Packed with savory, Moroccan spiced tender chicken breast, fluffy cauliflower couscous, salty pistachios, pungent feta cheese, sweet dates and finished with a creamy yogurt-tahini dressing.
Well hello internet friends! How’s the first week of March treating you? It has been absolutely gorgeous here in N to the C. Birds chirping, sun shining, deer prancing through our back yard. I am getting all sorts of excited to experience my first spring living in the ‘first in flight’ state.
If you follow this blog, you probably have already assumed I would be sharing chicken, breakfast or a bowl dish with you today. And you would have presumed correctly, because today you are getting a two-fer. Both chicken and a bowl.
Woot Woot! Virtual high five!
But, before we discuss this dish, I want to ask you a question.
OUR LATEST VIDEOSDo you quick brine your chicken breasts before baking? Please tell me you just shook your head yes!?
If your answer was no, I am going to kindly demand you correct that. Stat.
15 minutes is all it takes and the end result is totally worth it. We are talking the difference between dry, rubbery chicken and tender, juicy chicken. In a matter of just minutes.
It’s a must.
Trust me.
Or don’t, and do it for yourself. Then you can see just how right I am. 😉
Easy Baked Moroccan Chicken Couscous Bowls
So these Moroccan chicken couscous bowls have 4 different components, and while each is delicious on its own, this is definitely a ‘sum is greater than its parts’ type of food situation happening here.
Let’s discuss.
The baked moroccan chicken is coated with warm, mellow, earthy Moroccan spices and since you quick brined it, it is succulent and super tender. Basically it’s clucking delish.
The cauliflower couscous is light, fluffy, healthy and a delicious way to sneak more vegetables into your diet. For real, I am pretty obsessed with cauliflower in general because of its versatility (read: I always have a head of it in my refrigerator), but turning it into couscous is my new thang. I’ve been making cauliflower rice and mash for years, but for some reason it took me a hot minute to use it for couscous.
Don’t be like me. Make cauliflower couscous immediately and prepare to shovel it on repeat into your pie hole. The accompanying dressing to these bowls full of yum is creamy, lemony, smooth and a hint nutty. Like every other dressing or sauce on this blog, it is finger licking good and I highly recommend bathing in it. 😉
While the chicken, couscous and dressing in these bowls all rock the hiz-zouse, it’s the toppings that make this bowl off the charts delicious. Salty, crunchy pistachios; funky, cheesy feta; sensational, sweet dates and herbaceous, fresh parsley finish these bowls off in a big way. And while I did put measurements for the toppings in the recipe below, I highly suggest you double the amounts of each.
Because toppings are what makes the world go round. <– True story.
What does Moroccan chicken taste like?
Moroccan chicken tasted similar to Indian chicken, but much milder.
While Indian and Moroccan cuisines use similar spices, including cumin, paprika, ginger and cinnamon as seen here with this chicken, Moroccan dishes use a lesser quantity of spices than Indian dishes, which results in a overall milder flavored final dish.
What to serve with Moroccan chicken?
This Moroccan chicken recipe is very versatile, and while I served mine with healthy cauliflower couscous and a tahini dressing, you can absolutely serve it with regular couscous, rice or bulgur.
Or, you could simply serve with baked Moroccan chicken on a salad or stuffed in a pita as a sandwich!
To garnish my bowls I opted for dates, pistachios, crumbled feta and torn naan. While all the garnishes are optional, they definitely add a ton of flavor and texture to the Moroccan chicken couscous!
Time to stop reading and start cooking. Get your tookis into the kitchen and prepare these Moroccan Chicken Couscous Bowls. I know you are going to love them as much as we do!
Until next week friends – Cheers, to marvelous Moroccan bowls full of flava all up in your face. 😉
-xoxo-
Cheyanne
XOXO
Cheyanne
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How to make healthy Moroccan Chicken Couscous at home👇
These healthy scrumptious bowls are packed with savory, Moroccan spiced tender chicken breast, fluffy cauliflower couscous, salty pistachios, pungent feta cheese, sweet dates and finished with a creamy yogurt-tahini dressing.
- 1 large Cauliflower – cut into florets (about 1 pound florets)
- 2 TBS Olive Oil
- 1 Clove Garlic – minced
- 1 Lemon – juice and zest
- 2 TBS Fresh Parsley – minced
- 1 tsp Za’atar
- ½ tsp Cumin
- ½ tsp Salt
- Pepper , to taste
- 1 pound Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts – lightly pounded with meat mallet to be uniform in size and quick brined*
- 2 TBS Olive Oil
- 2 Cloves Garlic – minced
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Paprika
- ½ tsp Ground Ginger
- ¼ tsp Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- ½ Cup Greek Yogurt
- 2 TBS Tahini paste
- 1 cloves Garlic – minced
- 1 TBS Lemon Juice
- 1 heaping TBS Fresh Parsley Leaves – chopped
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ½ Cup Dates – pitted and chopped
- 1/3 Cup Pistachios - shelled
- ½ Cup Feta Cheese - crumbled
- Fresh Parley - chopped
- Naan – toasted, for serving
- Spray a large baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Prepare the Couscous: Place the cauliflower, in batches, into the food processor and pulse until finely chopped and resembles couscous.* Be careful not to over process the cauliflower into mush.
- Make the Dressing: Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside in refrigerator.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine garlic, cumin, paprika, ginger, cinnamon and red pepper flakes. Stir in olive oil. When chicken is done brining, rub mixture all over chicken breasts and transfer to prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165 degrees F). Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes. Slice chicken if desired.
- While Chicken is cooking, cook the couscous: Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the cauliflower couscous to the pan. Cook, stirring frequently until the couscous turns light golden in color, about 7 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds – 1 minute. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Add in the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Set aside and allow the flavors to marry.
- Assemble the bowls: Toss the couscous with dates and pistachios. Transfer couscous to serving bowls and top with chicken, feta, and parsley. Serve with naan and lemon wedges.
*Optional Quick Brine the Chicken: Fill a large bowl with 2 quarts of warm water and stir in 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Add the chicken breasts and allow to brine for 15 minutes. Remove chicken from brine, rinse and pat dry.
*Alternatively use a cheese grater to grate cauliflower
*Nutritional Information includes everything except optional Naan.
OK, I am brining my chicken breasts next time! 🙂
I highly recommend it, Adina! Promise it is SO worth the 15 minutes! Cheers!
Oh it really is all about the toppings, isn’t it.
We are huge fans of Moroccan food, or any food that involves paprika really and this is right up our street. Especially with the cauliflower cous cous.
Toppings for the win, Dannii! Thanks so much for the comment, girlfriend! Cheers!
You make the best bowls, Cheyanne! Seriously, I get lazy and don’t put enough cool ingredients in. You have everything in there that anyone could want. I love it!
Well thank you so much, Mir! You are always so sweet! Loaded bowls are the way to go for sure. Thanks for the comment love, girl! Cheers!
As usual, reading your post this morning has put a huge smile on my face!! From clucking delicious to shovel it on repeat into your pie hole, I could not stop laughing Cheyanne!! You’ve made my day. This bowl has got it goin’ on! I love all the flavors, the feta, the pistachios, that delicious sounding cauliflower couscous and of course that dressing! Running to my kitchen to whip up this beauty! Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend!!
Well I’m glad I could provide a smile, Mary Ann! I always do the same when I visit your beautiful site! Thanks so much for the kind comment, dear! Cheers to you and a beautiful weekend!
Your bowls are just the best, Cheyanne! I can’t get over all of this gorgeousness! The chicken looks SO good and perfectly seasoning. And I’m loving the cauliflower couscous! I’ve been meaning to try cauliflower rice, so this will be the perfect excuse to do so. Such a great meal for Thursday! Pinned, of course! 🙂
Thank you so much for the kind comment and Pin, Gayle!! You totally need to try cauliflower rice and/or couscous – SO GOOD! Cheers to a fabulous weekend, friend!
Soooo, I don’t always brine my chicken breasts, but I guess that’ll have to change! These bowls look delicious and I like that you’re still on the chicken and bowl train…woot woot – no complaints here! I agree, too, that toppings are evvvverything. I’m always about the toppings and sauces. Thanks for the yummy recipe, Cheyanne 🙂
Well sounds like you brine your chicken breast sometimes, so I’ll let it slide, Dawn. 😉 Thanks so much for the sweet comment, girlfriend! Cheers to you!
It has been soooo gorgeous this week! I’ve been going for walks every day and it’s amazingggg. And these bowls also sound amazing! I just bought a huge tub of couscous so I need more ways to put it to use! And I loveeee the sound of that dressing. I cannot get enough of tahini lately! Happy Thursday friend!
Yay to walks in this wonderful weather, Ashley! I am pretty obsessed with tahini too, so woot woot to tahini-ing it up! 😉 Thanks for the comment, friend! Cheers!
You’ve definitely inspired me to make cauliflower couscous! I too have a bit of a cauliflower obsession, but never tried couscous . Will get it on in asap – thanks as always for the inspiration! Have a great weekend!
Oh I hope you do make cauliflower couscous, Cathy! I know you will love it!! Thanks for the kind comment, friends! Cheers!
Both chicken and a bowl?!!! I’m happy!!! This couscous bowl looks amazing!!! and dang, so flavorful!!! love this!
Haha! Thanks, Alice! Cheers, friend! 🙂
I promise I’ll brine from now on! I can’t wait to try it! I mean seriously, water and salt? Why haven’t I done this my whole life? Thank you for showing me the error of my ways! Another home run with this recipe, my dear! Your foodie bowls are always packed with extreme “flava”…and I love it! Have a lovely weekend in N to the C! Cheers! xo
Hahaha! I’m going to make you keep the promise, Annie! 😉 Thank you so much for you sweet comments, girlfriend! They always make my day! Cheers, lovely – to you and a fabulous weekend! xo
Girl! I do brine and know for a fact chicken is ten times better than a no brin chicken! but GIRL this cauliflower couscous is outta this world! genius! looks delicious! Cheers!
SO glad you brine too, Gaila! Thanks so much for the comment, girlfriend! Cheers!
I just want to grab a bowl and dig in right now! Looks so good!
Wish I could send you one, Marsha! Cheers, girlfriend!
Gurl, I am so happy that spring is quite possibly/maybe going to make an appearance soon. I’m here in Maine, freezing my snowballs off. It’s 5 degrees today. Meanwhile, I was just thinking to myself, what’s up with this blog? Allegedly, it’s secret name is CBB, for Chicken, Breakfast and Bowls. Where’s all the glorious C and the B and the other B? Haha. I am seriously loving how beautiful these bowls came out. Those pistachios on top are just killing me! I can’t answer your question bc I don’t eat chicken, but all I know is that you are right at EVERYTHING. Lol. If u need me to brine some kale or um… something, I’ll do it, girl! Have an awesome weekend. Muah!
I have ALWAYS wanted to visit Maine, Demeter… but I donno about moving there, too cold for me! If I ever make it up that way you can bet I am going to hit you up!! How did I not know you don’t eat chicken!? Whaa?? I forgive you because you are so awesome. 😉 Thanks for always making me laugh, girlfriend! You rock my world. Cheers to a weekend as fabulous as you! xo
Come visit!! But don’t do it any time soon because… it’s FRIGGIN cold. No joke. I moved to Maine from California, so it was a bit of an adjustment, to say the least. Haha. No chicken, no meats… can we still be friends? 😉 Girl, you ALWAYS make me laugh! You leave the most thoughtful and hilarious comments. Alright, cheers to a new week to you, friend! xo
Totally taking you up on that offer, Demeter! For real, the hubs and I were thinking of planning a trip up that way over summer! And of course we can still be friends, after all I can’t eat chocolate and you still love me! 😉 Right? Cheers, sweets! XO
How could I not love this if it’s clucking delicious! You crack me up, girlfriend! Seriously, this Moroccan Chicken Bowl business is a total flavor bomb! I never would have thought to make couscous with cauliflower and I could totally bathe in that dressing! Pinning! P.S. Welcome to spring in the N to the C!
Ha, well I’m only like 1/10000 as funny as you, so thanks for humoring me with your flattery, sweet cheeks! Cauliflower turned into couscous is amazeballs – doooo it! Thanks for the comment and pin, Rach! Cheers, to a wonderful weekend in the best state ever! 😉 Xo
YUMMM! Love seeing this couscous bowl on your blog! I have been going ‘bowl’ crazy so far in 2016. This year is definitely the year for bowls in my kitchen haha. Everything in the bowl is what I like! I usually don’t make chicken anymore cause its just boring in taste for me, just that plain white chicken. But you have put so much flavor in this chicken I have got to make this!!
Yay to bowling it up in 2016.. the kind that don’t require ugly shoes of course! 😉 Thanks so much for the comment, my dear! Cheers!
Clucking delish! Love it and yes I do brine, yet not overtime. Need to work on that. It is so easy, just forget. 🙁
Wonderful balance of tastes and textures going on here, Pinned!
Hey brinning every once in a while is better than none at all, Kevin! Thanks so much for the comment and pin, buddy! Cheers!
I love chicken, but it needs all the help it can get flavor-wise! I totally agree on dry-rubbing it, and yours looks so flavorful and juicy! This entire dish — I just want to dig in! Amazing job, Cheyanne, and I would love to eat this for dinner tonight. 🙂
I agree – chicken is great but needs a lot of TLC! Thanks so much for the sweet comment, Marcie! Cheers to a wonderful weekend! 😉
That chicken looks absolutely perfect m’dear! WOW! There is nothing not to love about this dish. I’ll have to sub the couscous for quinoa, but I can’t wait to try this. XOXO <3
Thanks so much, Lauren! Quinoa instead of cauliflower couscous would be equally as delicious! Cheers sweets! XO
Our first day of March was fine – birds singing, and other lovely things. Then we got 30 cm of snow and a dramatically decreased temperature. However, they promised really nice weather soon. But talking about this bowl, did you intentionally put all my favorite things in this dish? Well, you can cross out the cauliflower – I love it too though. Well balanced comfort meal, Chey!
Hahahaha! Snow still up there? Sorry to hear about that… if I could box up our weather I would send some you way! I did intentionally put all the things you love in here… I made this bowl just for you, Ben. 😉 Thanks for the comment! Cheers, buddy!
This is absolute low carb heaven! This is sooooo pinned! Thanks for a tremendous recipe.
Thank you so much for the kind comment and pin, Kim! Cheers to a beautiful weekend! 🙂
Yay to the upcoming Spring in the NC!! I went to the grocery store today and the checkout lady said “you know it’s going to snow tomorrow, right?” I was like WTF?? and told her to shut her mouth. hahaha! Okay, I didn’t really say that but I was thinking it 😉 BTW, it’s not going to snow here tomorrow per the Weather Channel so I don’t know where crazy lady was getting her 411. All I know is the real deal 411 is this dang Moroccan chicken bowl. I’ll take all the feta, and dates, and pistachios in mine please and not leave any for anyone else. Yes, I do brine my chicken and I use pickle juice ‘cos that shite’s the bomb!
Well I’m glad the cray cray at the store was wrong, because I KNOW you are over the cold up there! All my fingers are crossed for spring to come soon for you, sweets! Pickle juice as a brine is whats up! SO good! Thanks for the comment, doll! Cheers! xo
Yes to cauliflower couscous!!! I haven’t gotten on that one either and now I don’t understand why not… will fix that immediately. And you know I love a big ole bowl of chicken and veggies — plus these lovely toppings (yay for toppings – definitely doubling up on those!) – completely delicious and wholesome for pretty much any meal of the day. Pinning! Cheers friend 🙂
You totally need to do cauliflower couscous, Kathryn! I KNOW you will love it! Thanks so much for the sweet comment and pin, friend! Cheers! <3
I’ve been looking for a good tahini dressing, Cheyanne so this post is very timely. Trader Joe’s is now selling cauliflower “rice” – which I’m assuming is the same thing as your cauliflower couscous – making it super easy to have it ready and waiting in the fridge to add in whenever needed. Thanks for the great recipe!
Well I’m glad I posted this, Geraldine! I don’t have a TJ’s near me, but you could totally use it for couscous.. same preparation as rice far as chopping the cauliflower. Gotta love convenience! I’m jealous, they need to open a TJ’s here. 🙁 Thanks so much for the comment, friend! Cheers to a wonderful weekend!
Great news — LOVE chicken AND food in bowls. This looks so yummy and that yogurt tahini sounds amazing!!! xoxo
This looks delicious! It seems like everyone is making food with cauliflower, and yet I have yet to buy any. This needs to change!
the dressing sounds wonderful Cheyanne!! love this bowl!
It was gorgeous here this past weekend – so gorgeous that my daughter and I almost burnt our backyard down trying to “smore” away our Sunday – I wish I had had this bowl WITH chicken to supplement our intake of smores and plain roasted marshmallows – it looks all levels of “clucking delish” – haha – LURRVE that expression!
I have fallen in love with Moroccan spices, so I’m loving everything about this. Keep the chicken recipes coming. I can never have enough!
Oh my! This recipe is packed with so much awesome flavor, I don’t want to say except hand me a fork – stat!
Guilty! I think about brining a whole lot more than actually doing it.There were definitely times I regretted not brining. And back at you with a virtual high five! Here’s to another amazing and creative dish with a whole lot of FLAVA. And it’s so good for you too! I’m loving the sound of the cauliflower couscous…I have never had it before. YUM!!
Girl, a big virtual high five to you. This is amazing, love cauli rice and that chicken looks simply amazing. The spices are so warm and it looks super moist and the coating, yummmmm. That dressing is dreamy and Yes to brining, it makes it so much more moist and delicious.
We’ve have great weather and today with a bit of rain, crazy but great. Enjoy your lovely weather and weekend my friend.
Wow! What a dish…or should I say bowl? I’m loving the chicken breast. I could eat it just by itself…but then it looks so amazing with all the other ingredients too!
Eep, I am SUCH a fan of bowls like this! I don’t know why, but they just seem so so comforting and cozy to me. I also love that it’s easy to eat…no need for knives or “spoons” (hehe). Just a fork and a bowl and you’re good to go! Love all the flavors you’ve got going on here…and I totally agree brining makes a HUGE difference. Also dying to try the tahini dressing you’ve made here. Sounds fantastic!!
Oh my gosh! What a stunning looking bowl, Cheyanne. This bowl looks fantastic dear. My daughter loves chicken breast and I know she will enjoy this bowl. Can’t wait to try.
I don’t brine my chicken. I hang my head in shame. BUT THAT STOPS NOW! This bowl of deliciousness will set me on the right path, brining-wise. I saw a picture of some cherry blossoms in NC – you enjoy those for me, okay? Because it is SNOWING here this morning. xo
Hey Cheyanne – loved your “discuss” today. No, I don’t brine my chicken first but you know that’s all gonna change now that I’m in the know. Thank you friend. Pistachios….feta….Gorgeous bowl and I could eat this every day for a week. While the sun is shining in NC and the birds are chirping, I am literally in Quebec City this weekend. They just got a fresh batch of snow before we arrived yesterday and it’s -15 on the thermometer this morning. No kidding, EEK! So now I’m looking forward to spring even more. It usually arrives in NH late April or early May. Hope you and Boy have a wonderful weekend and cheers to more sun and a beautiful spring ahead! xo
Gahh this is mouthwateringly wonderful, I can’t get over how much I NEED this right now (it’s 9 am). I am loving all these flavors and you’re encouraging me to start brining my chicken more often. That cauliflower couscous is genius, I’m in love. Just yes, to all of this! Enjoy this gorgeous sunny NC weekend!
These bowls are so beautiful Cheyanne! I love Moroccan food so much, all of the flavours and spices are so delicious! I love the sound of the cauliflower couscous, such a great idea – with so many amazing ingredients! So yummy! Love the addition of dates too – they’re my favourite!
This dish looks like it is SO full of flavor. I just want to dig in right NOW!!
These look delicious!! I have a ton of cauli rice in my freezer that I need to use up.
What a delicious and healthy way to serve chicken breast! Always looking for great inspiration for how to dress up chicken. I love this 🙂
I like high protein, low carb dishes like this. Totally yum!
Whoa, girl. This is spiced perfectly! I need some of this in my belly right now. And I just picked up some tahini and wondered what the heck I was going to do with it after making some hummus. The dressing looks amazing!
I’ve never brined my chicken but they always did it at the restaurant I used to work at. It made such a difference…so you’ve convinced me! I love bowl dinners and chicken breast and all the spices you’ve included here. And I’m also super envious of your backyard!!
I’m loving the incredible flavors you’ve got going on here! And a BIG YES to a quick brine! It’s definitely the way to go – so much more moist and flavorful! Seriously, girl you’re totally making my mouth water!
This Moroccan chicken looks absolutely amazing! Pinning! 🙂
This is my kind of food girl! Love it! Pinning to try it this week!
This looks like MY KINDA MEAL! I have to get on the cauliflower rice/couscous train because that is one healthy bowl full of goodness!
Looks like a great and flavorful meal! At what point do you add the dressing? Thank you!
Hi Kristen! Thanks so much for stopping by! I added the dressing at the end, but as with any dressing or “salad” you can add it whenever you’d like… you can toss the cauliflower in it, or the chicken, or both. Really it is up to you. If you try this dish I hope you love it as much as we did. Cheers! 😉
This looks delicious! I’ll probably make it for lunch tomorrow. I have one question though. Did you use smoked or sweet paprika?
Hi Sonia! I used sweet paprika in this dish. However, I have made it with smoked paprika when I was in a pinch. But, if you have both, I suggest using sweet paprika. I hope you love this dish as much as we do! Let me know if you have any other questions! Cheers and thank you for stopping by!
I’m back. I tried it, as promised, (I skipped the dressing and the feta though) and it was delicious!