Mediterranean Pearl Couscous Chicken (Print Version)

A fresh bowl featuring lemon-feta marinated chicken with herby pearl couscous and colorful Mediterranean vegetables.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - Juice and zest of 1 lemon
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 3.5 oz feta cheese, crumbled

→ Pearl Couscous Salad

10 - 1 1/4 cups pearl couscous
11 - 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 1/2 cucumber, diced
13 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
14 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
15 - 1/4 small red onion, finely chopped
16 - 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
18 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped

→ Dressing

19 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
20 - Juice of 1 lemon
21 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
22 - 1/2 teaspoon honey
23 - Salt and pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Add chicken strips, toss to coat thoroughly, and marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours refrigerated.
02 - Bring water or chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add pearl couscous, reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until tender. Drain, rinse briefly with cold water, and set aside to cool.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
04 - In a large bowl, combine cooled couscous, diced cucumber, diced bell pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, sliced Kalamata olives, fresh parsley, and fresh mint. Pour prepared dressing over the mixture and toss well to combine.
05 - Heat a non-stick skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook marinated chicken strips for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
06 - Divide couscous salad evenly among four serving bowls. Top each bowl with cooked chicken strips and crumbled feta cheese. Serve immediately.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you'd think, yet tastes like you've been fussing over it for hours.
  • The marinated chicken stays juicy and flavorful while pearl couscous absorbs all the herby goodness like a sponge.
  • You can prep components ahead and assemble bowls right before eating, making it perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling step for the couscous—warm couscous will absorb all the dressing and become gluey, but cooled couscous stays fluffy and light.
  • The marinade actually gets better when given time, so prep the chicken in the morning and let it sit until dinner if your schedule allows.
03 -
  • Marinate your chicken while you're doing other prep work—it's not extra time, it's just strategic multitasking that pays off with more flavorful chicken.
  • Make the dressing with extra-virgin olive oil because you're not cooking it, so its quality actually matters in the final taste.
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