Sweet heat is one of my very favorite flavor profiles. And this recipe fulfills this love on every level. Spicy Coconut Chicken & Couscous has that lovely velvety sweetness of coconut milk with the quick heat of the Fresno Chili. It is a balance that you might not expect but it is so very delicious.

I prefer Israeli Couscous for most of my couscous dishes. And this particular recipe is written for Pearl or Israeli Couscous. If you prefer or already have on hand the smaller, granular style of couscous, you will need to adjust the cooking and method, but it would still totally work. It’s a texture thing for me, just don’t really like things that feel super grainy when I am eating.
For this recipe, I went with a green zucchini for the vegetable portion. This would work with a summer squash as well as a potato. If you go with a potato, you will want to cut them small enough to cook through in this same cooking time, or you could parboil them before adding so that the chicken doesn’t get dry from prolonged cooking.
Now Let’s Get Cookin’!
Spicy Coconut Chicken & Couscous
Ingredients
- ½ Red Onion diced
- 4 Garlic Cloves minced
- 2 Medium Zucchinis halved and sliced
- 2 Fresno Chilies sliced
- 2 15oz can Coconut Milk full fat
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- ½ cup Fresh Chives chopped (plus more for garnish
For the Chicken
- 4 tbsp Oil
- 6 Chicken Thighs bone-in, skin off
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- 1 tsp Cumin
For Couscous
- 3 cups Chicken Broth
- 2 cups Pearl Couscous
Instructions
- Sprinkle both sides of chicken with salt, pepper and cumin. Add oil to large saute pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken on each side for 4 minutes. Then remove from pan and keep warm.
- In same pan, add onions and garlic. Cook for two minutes then add chilies and zucchini. Let saute for 3 minutes. Add chicken broth and coconut milk. Bring just to a boil then add chicken back to pan. Reduce heat to medium and cover. Let cook for 30 minutes.
- In a saucepan over medium-high heat, add chicken broth for couscous to a boil. Once bubbling, add couscous, cover with lid and cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat – do not remove lid until ready to serve.
- Serve portion of couscous and piece of chicken with ladle of sauce over top. Sprinkle with chives, if desired.
Estelle Forrest’s self-published first cookbook – Homemade on a Weeknight: A Family Cookbook – was created after a lot of playing around in the kitchen. You can purchase your own copy here:
AVAILABLE IN PRINT OR KINDLE eBOOK VERSIONS
Estelle self-published a second cookbook – Burgers on a Weeknight – recently. It has over 60 delicious burger creations! You can purchase your own copy here:
AVAILABLE IN PRINT OR KINDLE eBOOK VERSIONS
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Another recipe my hubs would enjoy. Thanks so much for linking up at the 25 and Done Link Party 18! 25 entries in 25 hours!! Pinned.
Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party. Hope you have a fabulous week!!