Orange-Tomato Couscous with Chicken

From: EatingWell Magazine, March/April 2011

This cinnamon- and cumin-spiked couscous with chicken takes its inspiration from Morocco. It’s made mostly with pantry staples—all you have to pick up is some chicken thighs, a bunch of cilantro and an orange. The orange slices become tender after cooking—you can eat them skin and all. For a variation, substitute diced, boneless leg of lamb for the chicken. Serve with steamed green beans or a spinach salad.

Active: 45 min

Ready in: 45 min

Ingredients6 servings

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1½ pounds), trimmed
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
• 1¼ teaspoons ground cumin, divided
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes, with juice
• 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed
• 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, divided
• 1 orange, scrubbed, halved and cut into ¼-inch slices
• 1 cup whole-wheat couscous

Preparation

1. Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Season with salt, pepper, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon cumin.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
3. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and onion to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon each cinnamon and cumin and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and their juice, chickpeas, broth, 2 tablespoons cilantro and orange slices; bring to a simmer, stirring with a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits. Return the chicken and any collected juice to the pan; cover and cook over medium-low heat until the chicken is cooked through, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a clean plate.
4. Bring the cooking liquid back to a boil; stir in couscous and place the chicken thighs on top of the mixture. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with the remaining cilantro.

(Source: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/250254/orange-tomato-couscous-with-chicken/ )