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
316kcal

Suggestions


Indulge in a culinary journey to the vibrant streets of Morocco with our Grilled Moroccan Spiced Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Couscous and Pine Nuts. This delightful dish combines the succulent flavors of marinated chicken with a fragrant couscous filling, creating a perfect harmony of taste and texture. Each bite offers a burst of spices, enhanced by the sweetness of dried cranberries and the crunch of toasted pine nuts, making it a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

Ready in just 40 minutes, this recipe is ideal for a weeknight dinner or a special gathering with friends and family. The preparation is straightforward, allowing you to focus on the joy of cooking and the anticipation of a delicious meal. The grilled chicken, infused with Moroccan spices, is not only flavorful but also healthy, with each serving containing only 316 calories.

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a cooking novice, this dish is sure to impress. The combination of spices like coriander, cumin, and turmeric brings warmth and depth, while the fresh lemon juice adds a zesty brightness that elevates the entire dish. Serve it alongside your favorite side dishes, and watch as your guests savor every bite. Get ready to embark on a flavorful adventure that will transport you to the heart of Moroccan cuisine!

Ingredients

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

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 (170F) and stuffing is hot. To serve, slice each breast and layer on plate so stuffing is visible.

Nutrition Facts

Calories316kcal
Protein41.09%
Fat42.43%
Carbs16.48%

Properties

Glycemic Index
39.25
Glycemic Load
5.11
Inflammation Score
-8
Nutrition Score
16.498261143332%

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:316.08kcal
15.8%
Fat:14.74g
22.67%
Saturated Fat:5.08g
31.72%
Carbohydrates:12.88g
4.29%
Net Carbohydrates:11.78g
4.29%
Sugar:3.1g
3.44%
Cholesterol:106.06mg
35.35%
Sodium:702.62mg
30.55%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:32.11g
64.21%
Vitamin B3:15.36mg
76.8%
Selenium:45.63µg
65.19%
Vitamin B6:1.09mg
54.28%
Phosphorus:336.46mg
33.65%
Vitamin B5:2.19mg
21.92%
Manganese:0.38mg
19.16%
Potassium:584.61mg
16.7%
Magnesium:51.06mg
12.76%
Vitamin B2:0.17mg
10.09%
Vitamin K:8.89µg
8.47%
Vitamin B1:0.13mg
8.4%
Zinc:1.13mg
7.54%
Vitamin E:1.05mg
7.02%
Vitamin C:5.4mg
6.54%
Iron:1.09mg
6.06%
Copper:0.11mg
5.58%
Vitamin B12:0.3µg
4.97%
Vitamin A:223.07IU
4.46%
Fiber:1.1g
4.39%
Folate:10.55µg
2.64%
Calcium:18.96mg
1.9%