Moroccan Chicken & Carrot Salad

I don’t make enough Moroccan and Moroccan-inspired dishes.  This salad helped me decide that.  There’s just something I love about the bright spices, fresh herbs, and touch of sweetness from the fruit that is often included.  

moroccan chicken carrot salad

I make a chicken tagine with all those elements (it’s also a really easy one-pot meal) and I love it.  It’s hearty and warming and perfect for fall and winter.  This salad contains many of those same flavors I’ve come to really enjoy but in a much more summer-friendly salad.  Each component is very simple and most of them can be prepped in advance.  Just layer them up in a pretty dish or jar and you’ve got yourself one fantastic salad that pleases the belly and the eye!

moroccan chicken carrot salad

Moroccan Chicken & Carrot Salad

adapted from  Clean Eating, August/September 2012

Ingredients:

1 c. couscous (uncooked)

1 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped

2 TBSP lemon juice

1/4 tsp. sea salt, plus more to taste

1/8 tsp. fresh black pepper, plus more to taste

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. ground paprika 

6-8 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-in. pieces

3/4 c. fresh Italian parsley, roughly chopped

1/2 c. chopped or shredded carrot

1/2 c. fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped

1/4 c. dried apricots, roughly chopped

1/4 c. slivered almonds

Directions:

1.  Prepare couscous according to package directions.  Set aside.

2.  To make harissa, combine 1 TBSP oil with all ingredients, bell pepper through paprika, in a food processor.  Process until thoroughly combined into a paste.  Harissa can be made up to two days in advance.

3.    Heat remaining oil in a skillet over medium heat.  Toss chicken with 1/4 harissa paste.  Sauté chicken until thoroughly cooked through, about 5 minutes.

4.  To assemble, divide harissa paste among 2-3 glass bowls or jars.  Layer remaining ingredients in the following order: parsley, couscous, carrots, mint, apricots, chicken, and almonds. 
Can be made up to one day in advance.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Share:

3 Comments

  1. That Girl
    August 9, 2012 / 1:36 am

    We had Moroccan for dinner last night too – I'm with you, we don't make Moroccan dishes enough.

  2. ErinsFoodFiles
    August 10, 2012 / 4:30 pm

    I've never had that combo of flavors. It sounds REALLY good!

  3. Virginia
    August 12, 2012 / 7:36 pm

    I don't think I've ever had Moroccan food before, but I will definitely be giving this recipe a try. I am a fan of every ingredient, and think this will make a good lunch to take with me to school. Thanks for the recipe!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *