Moroccan Summer Roast Chicken with Tricolour Giant Couscous

A vibrant twist on the classic roast chicken. Harissa-spiced chicken is served over Tricolour Giant Couscous with sweet apricots and toasted almonds, alongside smoky harissa gravy, fresh chermoula and cooling preserved lemon yoghurt. A colourful centrepiece made for sharing.

 

Written by @little_big_cook
Moroccan Summer Roast Chicken with Tricolour Giant Couscous
Ingredients
  • Harissa Roast Chicken
  • 1 whole chicken (approximately 1.5kg)
  • 3 tbsp harissa paste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves, grated
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Tricolour Giant Couscous
  • 200g Merchant Gourmet Tricolour Giant Couscous, rinsed
  • 600ml chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Small handful toasted flaked almonds
  • Small handful dried apricots, finely sliced
  • Harissa Gravy
  • Roasting juices from the chicken
  • 100ml chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp harissa paste
  • 30g cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • Squeeze of lemon juice
  • Chermoula
  • Large handful fresh coriander
  • Large handful flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Pinch cayenne pepper
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • Preserved Lemon Yoghurt
  • 150g full-fat Greek yoghurt
  • 1 preserved lemon, skin only, finely chopped
  • ½ tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 garlic clove, finely grated
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  1. Remove the backbone from the chicken and flatten it by pressing down on the breastbone.
  2. Mix together the harissa paste, olive oil, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, lemon zest and juice. Season well and rub all over the chicken, including beneath the breast skin. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
  3. Preheat the oven to 220°C.
  4. Place the chicken skin-side up in a roasting tray and roast for 35–40 minutes until golden, caramelised and cooked through. Leave to rest for 10 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, make the chermoula by blending the coriander, parsley, garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, lemon juice, olive oil and a pinch of salt until smooth but still slightly textured.
  6. In a bowl, mix together the yoghurt, preserved lemon, turmeric, garlic, olive oil and salt. Chill until needed.
  7. Pour the roasting juices into a saucepan, scraping up any caramelised bits from the tray. Add the chicken stock and simmer until reduced by roughly one third.
  8. Stir in the harissa paste, remove from the heat and whisk in the butter a cube at a time until glossy. Finish with a squeeze of lemon juice and season to taste.
  9. Bring the chicken stock to a simmer. Add the Merchant Gourmet Tricolour Giant Couscous and cook for 6–8 minutes until tender with a slight bite.
  10. Drain if needed and toss with the olive oil, toasted almonds and sliced apricots. Season to taste.
  11. Spread the couscous over a large serving platter and arrange the chicken on top.
  12. Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of flaky sea salt. Serve with the harissa gravy, chermoula and preserved lemon yoghurt alongside.

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