Moroccan Chicken Salad For A Starry Night Food

MOROCCAN CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Toss the parsnips and turnips in a large bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon ras el hanout, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and add the lemon halves cut-side up. Broil until the vegetables are lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
• Toss the chickpeas in the same large bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil and the remaining 1 teaspoon ras el hanout. Add to the baking sheet with the other vegetables and stir. Broil until tender, about 5 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes.
• Squeeze the juice from the broiled lemon into a large bowl. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper, then whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil. Add the chicken, dried apricots, olives and almonds and toss to coat. Add the broiled vegetables and chickpeas and arugula-spinach blend; toss.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Combine cumin, paprika and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a shallow bowl, and lightly coat chicken with spices. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a sauté pan. Sear chicken on medium-high about 90 seconds on the "skin" side, turn, add wine, reduce heat to very low, cover and braise 25 minutes. Remove chicken and juices to a clean bowl.
• Add bell pepper and onion to the pan and sauté on low about 10 minutes, until softened. Add zucchini and olives and sauté until zucchini starts to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in harissa, lemon juice, honey and 3 tablespoons olive oil. Remove from heat.
• Using your fingers and a paring knife, remove chicken from the bones and tear meat in strips. Place chicken and juices in a bowl, along with vegetable mixture from the sauté pan and preserved lemon peel. Toss ingredients together and set aside.
• Heat remaining tablespoon of oil in a 2-quart saucepan. Add couscous and remaining salt and stir over low heat 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in 1 1/4 cups boiling water, stir, cover and set aside 15 minutes. Uncover, fluff couscous with a fork, stir over low heat a few minutes to dry it, then fold in half the mint. Transfer chicken to a serving platter, scatter with remaining mint and serve with couscous in a bowl alongside, all at room temperature.

MOROCCAN CHICKEN SALAD FOR A STARRY NIGHT

Steps:

• Roast, broil, or poach the chicken breast. When it cools, bone and skin it and shred the meat into bite size pieces.
• In a bowl, combine the chicken, bell pepper, and onion. Chill, covered.
• Mix the cumin, cayenne, paprika, and garlic. Whisk in lemon juice, vinegar, broth, and olive oil.
• Stir in the cilantro, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and pour the vinaigrette over and toss. Garnish with olives. Enjoy!

HOT MOROCCAN CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare grill or preheat broiler and broiler pan.
• Bring water to boil in saucepan.
• Stir in couscous and ½ teaspoon salt.
• Remove from heat and cover.
• Rub oil over chicken.
• Mix garlic with ½ teaspoon salt and press with side of knife to form a paste.
• Set aside ½ teaspoon paste in a large bowl for dressing.
• Rub remaining paste over chicken.
• Grill chicken until cooked through, about 6-7 minutes.
• DRESSING: Combine remaining garlic paste and all ingredients except oil and red onion in a bowl.
• Gradually whisk in oil, and then stir in onion.
• Toss dressing in yellow pepper, tomatoes and olives.
• Fluff couscous with fork and spoon onto serving plates.
• Arrange grilled chicken on couscous; spoon vegetables and dressing around chicken.