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herbed chicken with couscous

Herbed Chicken with Couscous

Juicy lemon herb chicken paired with fluffy couscous, fresh parsley, and a squeeze of lemon. A light but filling dinner that comes together in under 40 minutes. Perfect for a weeknight meal or a casual dinner party.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken:
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • Juice and zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Couscous:
  • 1 cup couscous
  • 1 ¼ cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint chopped (optional)
Optional for serving:
  • Tzatziki sauce
  • Roasted vegetables zucchini, bell peppers, carrots

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a bowl, whisk olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and zest, oregano, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and coat well. Let it rest for 20 minutes (or up to a few hours in the fridge).
Cook the Chicken
  1. Pan-sear: Heat olive oil in a skillet, cook chicken 6–7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
  2. Oven-bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake for 20–25 minutes.
  3. Air fryer: Preheat to 375°F (190°C), cook 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Cook the Couscous
  1. Bring broth, olive oil, and salt to a boil. Stir in couscous, cover, and remove from heat. Let sit for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then mix in parsley and mint.
Assemble and Serve
  1. Slice the chicken. Plate couscous, top with chicken, garnish with extra herbs and lemon wedges. Serve with tzatziki or roasted veggies if you like.

Notes

  • Chicken thighs will make the dish extra juicy if you don’t mind dark meat.
  • Couscous is best freshly made, but you can reheat with a splash of broth.
  • A dollop of tzatziki makes the flavors pop, so don’t skip it if you can.
  • Add roasted veggies to make it a one-plate dinner.