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+ servings
Pearl Couscous with Chicken, Cherries and Goat Cheese
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 
This dish is a perfect meal in the early summer, when cherries are abundantly available. It's also a great way to use up any leftover chicken, or take a shortcut and buy a rotisserie chicken.
Course: Entrées, Salads
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chicken, Pasta, Lunch, Quick and Easy
Servings: 3 to 4 people
Calories: 525 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 large chicken breast grilled or roasted
  • 1 cup pearl couscous
  • 1 to 2 handfuls arugula or baby butter lettuces
  • 1 cup pitted cherries
  • ¼ cup sliced scallions (about 3 or 4)
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds toasted
  • ¼ cup sliced fresh basil
  • Zest of ½ lemon or orange
  • 2 ounces goat cheese crumbled
Dressing:
  • 2 teaspoons champagne or white wine vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
  1. Prepare the chicken breast by roasting, grilling or air-frying, or use leftover chicken. Cut the chicken into ½-inch chunks.
  2. Prepare the couscous by following the package instructions. If there are no package instructions, add 1 cup of couscous to 1½ cups of boiling salted water (about ½ teaspoon of salt). Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or until tender. Drain off any excess water if necessary, fluff the couscous and turn it out onto a sheet pan to cool to room temperature.
  3. Make the vinaigrette by mixing the vinegar, mustard, honey, salt and freshly ground black pepper together. Whisk in the olive oil and season to taste.
  4. Place the couscous, chicken, arugula, cherries, scallions, almonds, basil and lemon zest in a large bowl, saving a little lemon zest and basil for garnish at the end. Toss with the vinaigrette. Add almost all the goat cheese and gently toss one more time.
  5. Transfer to a platter lined with arugula or butter lettuce leaves, and then top with the remaining lemon zest, basil and crumbled goat cheese. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Pearl Couscous with Chicken, Cherries and Goat Cheese
Amount Per Serving (1 of 3 servings)
Calories 525 Calories from Fat 180
% Daily Value*
Fat 20g31%
Saturated Fat 5g25%
Trans Fat 0.01g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 11g
Cholesterol 57mg19%
Sodium 174mg7%
Potassium 579mg17%
Carbohydrates 56g19%
Fiber 5g20%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 29g58%
Vitamin A 437IU9%
Vitamin C 6mg7%
Calcium 85mg9%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.