Bold &Bright: Za’atar Chicken with Lemon Couscous and Cucumber Salad

Ready to impress with minimal effort? This stunning plate is the perfect blend of zesty, herbaceous, and smoky flavors—made possible with a few of our favorite spice blends straight from Morocco. Juicy, spiced chicken. Tangy lemon couscous. Crisp cucumber salad. It’s fresh, fast, and full of flavor.

What You’ll Need:

For the Chicken:

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp cumin

½ tsp chili powder

Salt & black pepper to taste

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp Za’atar (for finishing)

Juice of ½ lemon

For the Couscous:

1 cup pearl couscous

1 ¼ cups water or broth

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

1 tbsp olive oil or butter

1 tbsp chopped parsley

Pinch of Za’atar

For the Cucumber Salad:

1 cucumber, chopped

1 tomato, chopped

¼ red onion, sliced

Drizzle of olive oil

Juice of ½ lemon

Salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of Za’atar

How to Make It:

1. Spice & Sear the Chicken:

Rub chicken with paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Sear in olive oil on medium-high heat for 6–7 mins per side. Finish with lemon juice and a generous sprinkle of Za’atar.

2. Fluff the Couscous:

Bring water or broth to a boil. Add couscous, cover, and simmer for 10 mins. Fluff with fork, stir in lemon zest, juice, olive oil or butter, parsley, and a pinch of Za’atar.

3. Toss the Salad:

Combine cucumber, tomato, and onion. Drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice, and season with salt, pepper, and Za’atar.

4. Plate It:

Spoon couscous onto your plate, top with sliced chicken, and finish with the salad on the side. Garnish with extra parsley or lemon wedges if you’re feeling fancy.

Spices Used:

🌿 Za’atar – Our signature Moroccan blend of wild thyme, sesame, and sumac

🔥 Paprika – Smoky depth and vibrant color

🌾 Cumin – Earthy and bold

🌶 Chili Powder – For just the right kick

📸 Tag us at @InternationalSpiceDistrict when you make this—we love seeing your spice magic!