Mediterranean Pearl Couscous Chicken Bowls (Printer-friendly)

Vibrant Mediterranean bowls with pearl couscous, lemon-feta chicken, fresh vegetables and zesty dressing

# What You'll Need:

→ Greek Chicken

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
04 - 2 tsp dried oregano
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 tsp salt
07 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
08 - ½ cup crumbled feta cheese

→ Pearl Couscous Salad

09 - 1½ cups pearl couscous
10 - 2 cups water or chicken broth
11 - 1 tbsp olive oil
12 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
13 - 1 cucumber, diced
14 - ½ small red onion, finely diced
15 - ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
16 - ⅓ cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Dressing

17 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
18 - 1½ tbsp red wine vinegar
19 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
20 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
21 - ½ tsp dried oregano
22 - ¼ tsp salt
23 - ¼ tsp black pepper

# Directions:

01 - In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add chicken strips and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for enhanced flavor development.
02 - Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add pearl couscous and toast for 1–2 minutes. Pour in water or broth, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 10 minutes until couscous is tender and liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and let cool slightly.
03 - In a large bowl, combine cooked couscous, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and parsley.
04 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour over the salad and toss to combine.
05 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken strips and cook for 3–4 minutes per side until cooked through and golden. Remove from heat.
06 - Divide the couscous salad among four bowls. Top with chicken strips and sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese.
07 - Serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra parsley or a lemon wedge.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like you've been cooking all day.
  • High protein and naturally satisfying, so you won't be hungry an hour later.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead and assembled fresh, which means less stress when dinner time arrives.
02 -
  • Don't skip the toasting step for the couscous; those few minutes of browning in oil add a subtle nutty depth that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.
  • If you're cooking the chicken ahead, it's actually fine served at room temperature, which makes this brilliant for meal prep or entertaining without the stress of timing.
03 -
  • Make the dressing in a jar and shake it hard until it's creamy and emulsified, which also makes it easier to store and reuse for other salads later in the week.
  • If you're cooking for a crowd, marinate the chicken in the morning and cook it just before serving so it's still warm when you assemble the bowls.
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