Couscous With Chicken, Lemon, And Olives
- 20m Prep Time
- 1h 0mCook Time
- 1h 20mReady In
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6 to 8 servings An amalgam of two classic Moroccan chicken stews, one with olives and one with preserved lemon. If you can’t find preserved lemon, we encourage you to try making your own.
Ingredients
- 4 pounds bone-in chicken parts (skinned, if desired)
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cracked coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of crushed saffron threads
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cups water
- 1 large leek, trimmed, halved, well cleaned, and thinly sliced
- 1 preserved lemon, cut into thick slices
- ⅔ cup green olives, pitted and halved
- 2½ cups couscous
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice, or more to taste
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Let's Prepare
Collect
Gather these ingredients - no prep needed yet.
- 4 pounds bone-in chicken parts (skinned, if desired)
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cracked coriander seeds
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of crushed saffron threads
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cups water
- 1 large leek, trimmed, halved, well cleaned, and thinly sliced
- 1 preserved lemon, cut into thick slices
- ⅔ cup green olives, pitted and halved
- 2½ cups couscous
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice, or more to taste
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Let's Cook
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Step 1.
Combine in a large zip-top bag or a bowl: 4 pounds bone-in chicken parts (skinned, if desired); 2 large garlic cloves, minced; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 teaspoon cracked coriander seeds; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon ground cumin; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; ½ teaspoon sweet paprika; ½ teaspoon black pepper; Pinch of crushed saffron threads
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Step 2.
Refrigerate, covered, for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours, moving the chicken around in the bag or bowl from time to time.
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Step 3.
Remove the chicken pieces. Heat in a Dutch oven or other large heavy pot: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
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Step 4.
Add the chicken in batches, without crowding, and brown on both sides. Add: 2 cups water; 1 large leek, trimmed, halved, well cleaned, and thinly sliced
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Step 5.
Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, skimming off any foam that rises with a slotted spoon. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer gently until the chicken is tender, about 40 minutes. Add: 1 preserved lemon, cut into thick slices; ⅔ cup green olives, pitted and halved
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Step 6.
Simmer until the chicken is falling off the bone, another 10 to 15 minutes.
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Step 7.
Meanwhile, cook, omitting the optional butter or oil: 2½ cups couscous
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Step 8.
Transfer to a large serving bowl and toss with: 1 tablespoon olive oil
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Step 9.
Arrange the chicken, preserved lemons, and olives on top of the couscous. Bring the liquid in the pot to a boil and reduce by half. Stir in: ¼ cup lemon juice, or more to taste; ¼ cup chopped parsley
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Step 10.
Taste and adjust the seasonings. Pour the sauce over the chicken and garnish with: 2 tablespoons chopped parsley