Store
Store
Magazine
Magazine
Recipes
Recipes
School
School
TV
TV
Podcast
Podcast
Blog
Blog
Q&A
Q&A

JOIN! 12 Weeks for $1

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

Made This Recipe? Write a Review.
Rate
Rate 1 Star Rate 2 Star Rate 3 Star Rate 4 Star Rate 5 Star
Thank you for submitting your review! A member of our team is confirming the review meets our site's Community Guidelines. It will be posted on the site shortly.

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.

Pardon the interruption

You need to be a Milk Street Digital Member to see the full recipe

JOIN MILK STREET DIGITAL & PRINT
12 WEEKS FOR JUST $1

and get access to all of our recipes and articles online, as well as in print.

GET DIGITAL & PRINT
How we use your email.

Your email address is required to identify your subscription. We will use it for customer service as well as other communications from Milk Street. We will not share, or rent your email address.

View other subscription options here

Already a member? Login

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.

Membership Become a Member

Simple, Bold Recipes

Join Now

Sign up to receive texts

Successfully signed up to receive texts!

We'll only send our very best offers - Like a $15 store credit to start.

By entering your phone number and submitting this form, you consent to receive marketing text messages (such as promotion codes and cart reminders) from Christopher Kimball's Milk Street at the number provided, including messages sent by autodialer. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. You can unsubscribe at any time by replying STOP or clicking the unsubscribe link (where available) in one of our messages. View our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

*$60+ order minimum. One coupon redemption per person and cannot be combined with other offers.