Couscous with sweet and spicy sauce and chicken schnitzels

Delicious Couscous Recipe with Spicy Sweet Sauce and Chicken Schnitzels

When thinking about quick and tasty dishes, couscous proves to be a fantastic choice. This recipe perfectly combines the fluffy texture of couscous with a spicy sweet sauce and crispy chicken schnitzels, creating a lunch or dinner that will delight the whole family. Plus, it's easy to prepare, making it ideal for busy days. Let's start this culinary adventure!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4

Necessary ingredients:

For preparing couscous:
- 250 g couscous
- 1 L water
- 1 teaspoon salt

For the spicy sweet sauce:
- 1 red onion
- 1 head of garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon water
- 6 tablespoons homemade sweet ketchup
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- Oregano (to taste)
- Thyme (to taste)
- 1 bay leaf

For the chicken schnitzels:
- 1 kg boneless chicken breast
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- Flour (for coating)
- 3 tablespoons milk or sparkling water
- Salt (to taste)
- Oil (for frying)

Preparing couscous:

1. Start by bringing 1 L of water to a boil in a large pot. Add a teaspoon of salt to flavor the couscous.
2. When the water is boiling, add the couscous, stirring gently to prevent clumping.
3. Cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to low, allowing the couscous to absorb the water for about 10 minutes. Remember to stir occasionally, but don’t overdo it, so the grains remain fluffy.

Practical tip: If you find the couscous too thick, you can dilute it with a little warm water or unsweetened warm milk to achieve a finer texture.

Preparing the spicy sweet sauce:

1. While the couscous is cooking, you can prepare the sauce. Chop the red onion into small cubes and crush the head of garlic.
2. In a non-stick skillet, add the olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic over medium heat, covering the skillet to steam the ingredients. Let it cook until the onion becomes translucent.
3. Add the ketchup, water, sweet paprika, oregano, thyme, and bay leaf. Mix well and let it simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes for the flavors to combine.

Helpful tip: For an even more flavorful sauce, you can add a bit of chili or Tabasco sauce if you like to bring some heat to your dishes.

Preparing the chicken schnitzels:

1. Slice the chicken breast into thin pieces, then gently pound them with a meat mallet. Sprinkle with salt and let them rest for 10 minutes to absorb the flavor.
2. In a bowl, beat the eggs with the mustard, milk (or sparkling water), and a pinch of salt until you get a smooth mixture, similar to cream.
3. Heat oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Dredge each slice of meat in flour, then in the egg mixture, and fry them in the skillet until golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes on each side.

Personal tip: If you want to achieve even more tender schnitzels, replace the milk with sparkling water. The bubbles in sparkling water help tenderize the meat!

Assembling the dish:

1. Once all components are ready, serve the warm couscous on plates, generously adding the spicy sweet sauce on top.
2. Arrange the crispy chicken schnitzels alongside the couscous and sauce, enjoying the contrast of textures and flavors.

Serving suggestion: This recipe pairs perfectly with a fresh vegetable salad or pickles. You can also add a slice of lemon for an extra touch of freshness.

Nutritional value: This recipe is a rich source of protein from the chicken breast, while the couscous provides complex carbohydrates that offer energy. The vegetables in the sauce contribute to the intake of vitamins and minerals. In total, each serving contains approximately 600-700 calories, depending on the amount of oil used.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I use whole wheat couscous? Absolutely, whole wheat couscous is a healthier option, rich in fiber.
2. How can I store the dish for the next day? You can keep the couscous and sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge, and the schnitzels can be reheated in the oven to maintain their crispy texture.
3. What else can I add to the sauce? You can experiment with various spices, such as cumin or coriander, to give it a unique flavor.

Now that you have all the details, all that’s left is to try this delicious couscous recipe with spicy sweet sauce and chicken schnitzels. Enjoy every bite and don’t forget to share this recipe with friends and family! Bon appétit!