Okay, so I have to share this recipe with you guys! This is probably our favorite, quickest, easiest weeknight dinner. It’s definitely my go-to meal. It can literally be on the table in 20 minutes, and it’s a one-dish dinner, so it’s perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal when you don’t feel like cooking dinner! It’s got everything I love: savory chicken, pasta, caramelized veggies, and sweet simplicity.
Just a few simple things you can keep on hand and grab from your pantry or freezer when you want to make this — chicken, Israeli Couscous, diced onions, carrots, and celery, garlic, chicken broth, olive oil, salt and pepper — no special trip to the store needed!
Have you tried Israeli (Pearl) Couscous? Oh my gosh, I love it. It’s bigger than regular couscous — they’re little pearls of pasta, about the size of rice. It makes a fabulous side dish, and there’s so much you can do with it to dress it up. I love the texture. I buy this giant 5 lb bag from Costco (or order this one online from Amazon), because I’m obsessed with it.
I love using rotisserie chicken in this recipe. We often buy one at the beginning of the week and use it in recipes all week. But for this recipe you could also boil boneless, skinless chicken breasts for 10-15 minutes, shred, and season with salt, pepper, or any yummy seasoning you have on hand. I keep boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the freezer for occasions when we don’t have a rotisserie chicken on hand, and then just thaw them out under cold running water when I need to use them. Takes about 5 minutes. I make sure this recipe is something I can always make, lol!
I love using frozen, diced onions and carrots. They’re easy to use, I can use exactly what I need, and I know I’ll always have some on hand. Now, I’ve never seen frozen diced celery before, but celery cuts like butter, so you can chop up a big celery stalk like this one really fast.
Celery is one thing I don’t mind chopping!
Use what you need, then freeze the rest in a freezer bag. Boom! Your own frozen, diced celery you can use for next time.
Now that we’ve got all our ingredients, all you have to do to make this dinner is add a couple of tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet over medium high heat.
Throw in two cups each of your three veggies…
And plenty of salt and pepper. Saute for 5-10 minutes until softened and caramelized.
Pretend you see a photo of me adding minced garlic and stirring until combined and fragrant, about 30 seconds. I didn’t get a photo because I’m a dork, and I didn’t want my garlic to burn! :)
Pour in 1 1/3 cups of couscous, and stir to combine.
Add two cups of chicken broth, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.
When it’s done, just add your chicken and stir to combine!
This is so, so good you guys. Caramelized veggies, pearls of pasta, and juicy, savory chicken. Hope you enjoy!!
Easy Chicken and Couscous Skillet Dinner
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups diced onion
2 cups diced carrots
2 cups diced celery
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/3 cups Israeli (Pearl) Couscous
2 cups chicken broth
12 oz (about 3 cups) chopped chicken
1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery, season with salt and pepper, and saute for 5-10 minutes until softened and caramelized.
2. Add garlic and stir to combine until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add couscous and broth, stir to combine, then cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 8-10 minutes until broth is absorbed.
3. Add chicken and stir until heated through. Enjoy!
Makes 4 Servings. Nutritional Information for this recipe can be found at CalorieCount.com.
Make for: Dinner / Main Dish
Tags: 30 Minutes or Less, chicken, Quick and Easy
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21 Comments
This looks yummy and easy. I have not tried the Israeli couscous, I will have to pick some up. I have the other type on hand. Thanks for sharing.
I love Israeli couscous and can’t wait to try this. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I really, really love they look so darn yummy!
Deee-lish! Pinned for later enjoyment. :-)
One of my favorite kinds of dinners — all in one pan, starch, veggies, and meat. Yum.
I love how simple and healthy this is Amanda! I love Israeli Couscous and have a giant bag of whole wheat Israeli Couscous that I ‘d love to try this with.
Looks like a fabulous and comforting dinner!
I tried this tonight with just a little twist. I had a flavored couscous mix, so I just added the flavor packet and skipped the chicken broth and just used the water called for on the box. Yum!! Thanks for the inspiration! I JUST LOVE YOUR BLOG!!!
LOVE couscous salads! Thanks for this great idea :)
I need to try that pearl couscous! This looks great!
Heya, I’m making it right now.. 2 cups each vegetables??? Wayy too much so I cut it in half and put the other half in freezer for next time I make it again. Smell heavenly in here!
Gotta go and get the table ready. Ta Dah!
totally my kind of dinner!
Family loved it.
Love how easy this one is Amanda! Looks great :)
This looks great. Can’t wait to try this and thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe.
looks delish. Making some freezer meals for a friend for her baby shower. does this one freeze well? I would think it would?
deliciously done looks wonderful
Had a bag of regular couscous im the cabinet when I came across your recipe. Bought the chicken, had all other ingredients on hand, and made the same night. I was truly amazed how delightful this dish was. So tasty and flavorful. When re-heated at work the next day, co-workers commented on delicious smell. Thanks for a keeper that even meat-and-potato boyfriend enjoyed :)
Wow, this was easy and delicious! I did use half the amount of salt and pepper. I also used veggies we had on hand (carrots, celery, zucchini and summer squash). Thanks for another excellent recipe! This is going in the rotation for sure!
I made this recipe using all organic ingredients. I chose to boil the chicken and then used the stock to add with the couscous. I also added a bit of parsley and thyme. It came out fantastic!!! The whole family including a 1, 2 and 11 year old, all gobbled it up! I also varied the recipe later and used shrimp and kale, which also was wonderful!!
Made this recipe for dinner tonight exactly as stated and it was delish!! I thought the amount of veggies were perfect and I loved how easy it came together. Thanks for sharing!