Grilled Moroccan Spiced Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Couscous and Pine Nuts

Health score
12%
Grilled Moroccan Spiced Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Couscous and Pine Nuts
40 min.
4
317kcal

Suggestions


Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Morocco with this Grilled Moroccan Spiced Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Couscous and Pine Nuts. This dish is not only a feast for the eyes but also a delightful explosion of taste that will transport your palate to the sun-soaked streets of Marrakech. Perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends, this recipe combines tender, juicy chicken breasts with a savory couscous filling, enhanced by aromatic spices and a hint of citrus.

The preparation is surprisingly simple, taking just 40 minutes from start to finish, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or special occasions alike. The couscous, infused with chicken broth and butter, is complemented by the crunch of pine nuts and the sweetness of dried cranberries, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. Each bite is a celebration of Moroccan cuisine, with spices like coriander, cumin, and turmeric adding depth and warmth.

Grilling the chicken not only imparts a smoky flavor but also keeps it moist and succulent, while the stuffing peeks out invitingly, showcasing the colorful ingredients within. Serve this dish alongside a fresh salad or your favorite side, and watch as it becomes the star of your meal. Get ready to impress your guests and satisfy your cravings with this deliciously unique recipe!

Ingredients

  • 0.3 cup couscous uncooked
  • 0.3 cup chicken broth 
  • tablespoons butter 
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground coriander 
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin 
  • 0.3 teaspoon salt 
  • 0.3 teaspoon turmeric 
  • teaspoon lemon zest grated
  • tablespoons juice of lemon fresh
  • tablespoon cranberries dried
  • tablespoon pinenuts 
  • Dash hot sauce red to taste
  • 1.3 lb chicken breast boneless skinless
  • tablespoon vegetable oil 
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt 
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin 
  • 0.3 teaspoon pepper freshly ground

Equipment

  • bowl
  • sauce pan
  • knife
  • grill
  • aluminum foil

Directions

  1. In small bowl, place couscous; set aside.
  2. In 1-quart saucepan, heat broth, butter, coriander, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon salt and the turmeric to boiling.
  3. Pour hot broth over couscous, stir well and cover with foil.
  4. Let stand 5 minutes to allow liquid to be absorbed. Uncover and fluff couscous with fork. Stir in lemon peel, lemon juice, cranberries, pine nuts and pepper sauce; set aside.
  5. Meanwhile, place 1 chicken breast on work surface. Notice it has a thick end and a thin end. To create a pocket for the stuffing, insert long, thin knife (a boning knife is ideal) into middle of thick end, parallel to work surface. Slide knife in until it reaches middle of chicken. Move knife up and down within the chicken to form a pocket. You want to have a smaller opening where knife entered the chicken and a larger pocket within the chicken to stuff with couscous mixture. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts.
  6. Spray grill rack with cooking spray or brush with oil.
  7. Heat coals or gas grill for medium heat. (Check the temperature of the coals by placing your hand, palm side down, near but not touching the cooking grill rack. If you can keep your hand there for two seconds [one-thousand one, one-thousand two], the temperature is high; three seconds is medium-high; four seconds is medium; five seconds is low.)
  8. Use one hand to hold chicken with thick end up. With other hand, stuff 1/4 cup of the couscous into pocket. Repeat with remaining chicken.
  9. Brush chicken with oil.
  10. In small bowl, mix 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon cumin and the pepper.
  11. Sprinkle mixture evenly over chicken breasts.
  12. Grill chicken covered 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until juice of chicken is no longer pink when center of thickest part is cut (170°F) and stuffing is hot. To serve, slice each breast and layer on plate so stuffing is visible.

Nutrition Facts

Calories317kcal
Protein41%
Fat42.44%
Carbs16.56%

Properties

Glycemic Index
40.5
Glycemic Load
5.12
Inflammation Score
-8
Nutrition Score
16.619130328945%

Flavonoids

Cyanidin
0.02mg
Eriodictyol
0.37mg
Hesperetin
1.09mg
Naringenin
0.1mg
Myricetin
0.09mg
Quercetin
0.2mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:317.01kcal
15.85%
Fat:14.79g
22.76%
Saturated Fat:5.08g
31.75%
Carbohydrates:12.99g
4.33%
Net Carbohydrates:11.87g
4.32%
Sugar:3.11g
3.45%
Cholesterol:106.06mg
35.35%
Sodium:703.04mg
30.57%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:32.15g
64.3%
Vitamin B3:15.37mg
76.86%
Selenium:45.64µg
65.2%
Vitamin B6:1.09mg
54.34%
Phosphorus:337.71mg
33.77%
Vitamin B5:2.19mg
21.92%
Manganese:0.39mg
19.58%
Potassium:589.08mg
16.83%
Magnesium:51.97mg
12.99%
Vitamin B2:0.17mg
10.14%
Vitamin B1:0.13mg
8.5%
Vitamin K:8.91µg
8.48%
Zinc:1.14mg
7.62%
Vitamin E:1.06mg
7.08%
Iron:1.26mg
6.98%
Vitamin C:5.42mg
6.57%
Copper:0.11mg
5.69%
Vitamin B12:0.3µg
4.97%
Vitamin A:226.25IU
4.52%
Fiber:1.12g
4.49%
Folate:10.58µg
2.64%
Calcium:21.29mg
2.13%