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chicken-chickpea-couscous-fast-slow-v
Instant Pot

Toasted Pearl Couscous with Chicken and Chickpeas (Fast & Slow)

By Julia Rackow

4 Servings

1 hour 35 minutes active

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A key step for achieving maximum flavor in this one-pot meal is to toast the pearl couscous, which deepens its wheaty flavor and yields a nutty aroma. A sauté of garlic, onion, cumin and allspice creates a heady base for simultaneously cooking boneless chicken thighs and the toasted couscous; cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces allows everything to finish cooking at the same same time. A spoonful of tangy-sweet pomegranate molasses brightens the flavors while balancing the warm, earthy spices.

4

Servings

Tip

Don't use regular couscous. Pearl couscous, sometimes referred to as Israeli couscous, is much larger so it cooks differently than regular couscous and retains a satisfying chew. Also, don't slice the carrots thinner than ½ inch or they will turn to mush.

1 hour

35 minutes active

Ingredients

  • 2

    tablespoons grapeseed or other neutral oil, divided

  • 1

    cup pearl couscous

Directions

  1. 01
    On a 6-quart Instant Pot, select Normal/Medium Sauté. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and heat until shimmering. Add the couscous and cook, stirring often, until golden brown, 7 to 10 minutes. Using a large spoon, transfer the couscous to a small bowl; set aside. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pot and heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until beginning to brown, about 1 minute, then add the onion, carrots, bay, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion has softened, 2 to 4 minutes. Add the cumin and allspice, then cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add 1 cup water and scrape up any browned bits. Stir in the chicken, the toasted couscous and 1 teaspoon salt, then distribute in an even layer.

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Reviews
Lane G.

Suggestions for substitutes for pomegranate molasses since it is not available?

Ann L.

I looked at https://thestonesoup.com/blog/pomegranate-molasses-substitutes/ and chose alternative #4 - Lemon Juice & Honey. I used a 3 to 1 ratio of the two: e.g. 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice and 2 teaspoon honey. It worked out fine. I detected some sour and little bit of sweet in the mix. Might use more next time. I don't know what the recipe tastes like with pomegranate molasses so I was just winging it.

Jennifer S.

Delicious, fragrant and easy. I didn't have an instant pot but I cooked at times per recipe and used two cooked chopped chicken breasts. Everyone in the family enjoyed the dish and the aromatic scents had them circling in the kitchen! I was sans molasses and twas still a hit.

Kelly G.

This is another winner for me - so tasty! I made my own Pomegranate Molasses since it's not available here or locally & it worked great. Toasting the couscous and using the fresh parsley and lemon juice really added to the flavors. I always learn something new about how to use my Instant Pot with these recipes, so thank you for being so detailed in the directions. I used only half the salt, as well as low-sodium chickpeas, and it was perfectly seasoned for my taste. I'll definitely make this again!

Lynda B.

This was a wonderful meal on a cool Sunday evening. There were compliments all around on the first bite. I had purchased pomegranate marmalade for another Milk Street recipe. That took a couple of stops but it was worth it.