Moroccan Vegetables with Spiced Chicken

Have you ever had Moroccan inspired food? It is so vibrant, rich and earthy. Truly a unique mixture of flavors!

This week I decided to go for it.

I wanted to cook something other than the typical American meal. Not that I have anything against macaroni & cheese, casseroles, hamburgers, and french fries!

Sometimes my palate needs something new. This seemed to fit the bill.

I asked my roommates what they thought. One said there was " a lot going on"....but they both finished their bowls with smiles on their faces. I'm taking that as a good sign :)

 

Couscous
Prepare 1 cup uncooked couscous per package directions


Moroccan Ingredients:

2 sweet potatoes, coarsely diced
2 zuchinni, coarsely diced
1 red onion, coarsely diced
1/4 cup raisins
2 garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
1 tbsp olive oil

dash red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp ginger
1 cinnamon stick
dash of paprika
salt and pepper to taste


1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup fresh parsley

Chicken Ingredients:
1.5 lbs chicken tenders
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cumin
1 tbsp paprika
2 tsp turmeric

1. Combine all the spices.
2. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Place in large ziplock bag. Add spices and mix it up.
3. Let chicken marinate for about 15 minutes.
4. Heat olive oil in large nonstick pan over med-high heat or on the grill.
5. Add chicken to pan. Cook until done (approx 4 minutes each side).

1. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium high heat in a large pot.
2. Add diced vegetables and spice mixture and cook approximately 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook about 1 minute. ( Just cook vegetables until they are soft/tender). 
3. Add raisins.
4. Add chicken broth and simmer for approx 10 minutes.
5. Stir in fresh parsley

 Serve  in bowl. Scoop couscous. Ladle vegetables on top. Serve with chicken strips on side. Sprinkle on parsley and almonds.

Go on..give it a try!