Apricot-Dijon Mustard Chicken With Couscous

🍗🍑🍯🧀🍚👩‍🍳

The Apricot-Dijon Mustard Chicken with Couscous is a delicious and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a sweet and tangy apricot-Dijon mustard glaze, served alongside fluffy couscous. Here’s a detailed response filled with emojis for you:

History:
The exact origin of this dish is not well-documented, but it likely evolved as a fusion of flavors from various culinary traditions. Apricots and Dijon mustard complement each other beautifully, and when combined with chicken and couscous, they create a delightful harmony of tastes.

Components:

1. Chicken Breasts: You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
2. Apricot-Dijon Mustard Glaze: This glaze typically consists of apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, honey, and some seasonings.
3. Couscous: A quick-cooking grain made from crushed durum wheat.
4. Olive Oil: For searing the chicken.
5. Garlic: For flavor.
6. Fresh Herbs: Such as thyme or parsley for garnish.

Steps to Prepare:

1. Prepare the Glaze: In a bowl, mix apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, honey, and some minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Set this aside.

2. Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then sear them until they’re golden and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.

3. Glaze the Chicken: In the same pan, add the apricot-Dijon glaze. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes until it thickens slightly. Return the chicken to the pan, coating it with the glaze. Cook for a few more minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

4. Prepare Couscous: While the chicken is cooking, prepare couscous according to package instructions. Usually, you’ll need to bring water to a boil, add couscous, remove from heat, and let it sit covered for a few minutes. Fluff with a fork.

5. Serve: Plate the chicken on a bed of fluffy couscous. Spoon extra glaze over the chicken and garnish with fresh herbs.

Total Time:
The preparation time for this dish is approximately 10-15 minutes, and the cooking time is around 20-25 minutes. So, you can have this delightful meal ready in under 45 minutes.

Enjoy your Apricot-Dijon Mustard Chicken with Couscous – it’s a symphony of flavors that will surely delight your taste buds! 😋🍽️

Certainly, here are the nutrition facts and some health information for the Apricot-Dijon Mustard Chicken with Couscous:

Nutrition Facts (Approximate Values for One Serving):

• Calories: Around 350-400 calories.
• Protein: Approximately 25-30 grams.
• Carbohydrates: Roughly 30-40 grams.
• Fat: About 10-15 grams.
• Fiber: Approximately 2-4 grams.
• Sugars: Varies depending on the amount of honey and apricot preserves used.

Health Information:

1. Protein: Chicken is a good source of lean protein, which is essential for muscle development and repair.

2. Carbohydrates: Couscous provides complex carbohydrates, offering sustained energy, while the apricot-Dijon glaze adds some simple sugars for sweetness.

3. Fiber: While not very high in fiber, this dish does contain some, which is important for digestive health.

4. Fats: The fat content primarily comes from the olive oil and the small amount found in chicken. Olive oil is a source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.

5. Vitamins and Minerals: Chicken is a good source of essential nutrients like B vitamins and zinc. Apricots provide vitamin A and vitamin C.

6. Sodium: The dish’s sodium content depends on the amount of salt used and any added processed ingredients. Be mindful of the salt to keep the dish heart-healthy.

7. Sugars: The sugars primarily come from the honey and apricot preserves. While they add flavor, it’s important not to overdo the sugar intake.

8. Calories: This dish is relatively balanced in terms of calories, but the portion size and ingredients used can significantly affect the calorie count.

Remember that these values are approximate and can vary based on the specific ingredients and portion sizes used. To get a precise nutritional breakdown, you may want to use a nutritional calculator or consult a registered dietitian.