Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous

Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous

by | Nov 1, 2019 | CHICKEN | 0 comments

follow

Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous served in a shallow black bowl.

Spicy Peanut Chicken with Couscous comes together in a snap and is full of flavour with just a touch of spicy heat.  The best part about this dish is the peanut sauce.  It’s so versatile and wonderful with the chicken.  But you don’t have to stop with just using chicken.  Drizzle the peanut sauce over noodles, drizzle on roasted salmon or use as a dip for beef skewers.  My recipe for Peanut Sauce makes about one and a half cups and freezes well, giving you no excuse not to have some on hand. It may need a good stir and a splash of water or coconut milk to set the consistency the way you like it and depending on what you’re using it for.

It’s best to get your pan good and hot with a drizzle of oil to give the chicken chunks a good sear.  Having golden, carmelized bits adds extra flavour and helps to seal in the moisture of the chicken.  You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breast for this recipe.  Both work well, so it comes down to preference. Marinating the chicken in soy sauce, fresh ginger and garlic also add extra flavour to this dish.  It’s not completely necessary but something I like to do when I have the time or remember to do it.

Peanut sauce in a mason jar on a wooden plank garnished with peanuts and mini peppers in preparation for Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous.

I love instant couscous for its ease of preparation and fun texture.  Instant couscous cooks at a 1:1 ratio and is ready in about 10 minutes from start to finish.  I like to make mine with chicken broth for added flavour but water works fine too.  It’s a great side dish for those nights when you need something quick and it’s delicious served with Spicy Peanut Chicken.  If you’re not into the couscous, by all means, serve the Spicy Peanut Chicken over noodles or rice.  Enjoy!

Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous served in a shallow black bowl.

Author:  Compelled to Cook

Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous served in a shallow black bowl.
Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous
Print Recipe
    Servings Prep Time
    3-4 people 30 minutes
    Cook Time Passive Time
    15 minutes 0-3 hours
    Servings Prep Time
    3-4 people 30 minutes
    Cook Time Passive Time
    15 minutes 0-3 hours
    Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous served in a shallow black bowl.
    Spicy Peanut Chicken and Couscous
    Print Recipe
      Servings Prep Time
      3-4 people 30 minutes
      Cook Time Passive Time
      15 minutes 0-3 hours
      Servings Prep Time
      3-4 people 30 minutes
      Cook Time Passive Time
      15 minutes 0-3 hours
      Ingredients
      Servings: people
      Instructions
      1. Cut chicken into thin slices and combine with soy sauce, garlic, ginger and 2 tsp oil. Cover and keep chilled for an hour if time permits or up to 3 hours in advance.
      2. Bring chicken broth to a simmer. Stir in couscous and cover with a lid. Remove from heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
      3. Meanwhile, heat remaining 3 tsp oil over medium-high heat in a wok or large skillet. Add chicken slices and cook until lightly browned and cooked through, tossing occasionally for about 6 minutes.
      4. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in 3/4-1 cup of peanut sauce. You want enough to coat the chicken and make it saucy. Allow peanut sauce to warm but don't let it get too hot or it may separate.
      5. Fluff couscous with a fork and divide between serving bowls. Top with chicken, a drizzle of sauce and garnish with green onion, cilantro and chili peppers if desired.
      Recipe Notes

      -You can use my delicious Peanut Sauce or store-bought peanut sauce.

      -Prep time does not include making the peanut sauce.

       

      Product Favourites!

      Affiliate Disclosure

      I may receive compensation for purchases made through this site, at no cost to the purchaser. Compelled to Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
      Peanut Sauce

      Peanut Sauce

      by | Jul 15, 2019 | CONDIMENTS AND SAUCES | 0 comments

      follow

      A spoon heavy with peanut sauce stands against a mason jar filled with peanut sauce.

       

      Hello, peanut sauce lovers!!  You’ll love this simple and delicious Peanut Sauce recipe that takes no time at all to come together.  The wonderful flavour comes from a little red curry paste, coconut milk, garlic and ginger.  It’s so good, and you’ll want to enjoy it with so many things.

       

      Whole peanuts fill a mason jar that is surrounded by ginger, curry paste, garlic, lime and coconut milk in preparation for Peanut Sauce.

       

      How to enjoy this lovely Peanut Sauce….let me count the ways.

      -toss with a noodle stir fry
      -smother on cooked pork ribs and bake
      -drizzle on shrimp tacos
      -as a dip for summer rolls
      -as a dip for pork, chicken or beef satay
      -broiled on salmon fillets
      -toss with chunks of chicken and serve over couscous
      -tossed into a salad
      -as a dip for vegetables

       

      A spoon heavy with peanut sauce stands against a mason jar filled with peanut sauce.

      Author: Compelled to Cook

      A spoon heavy with peanut sauce stands against a mason jar filled with peanut sauce.
      Peanut Sauce
      Print Recipe
        Servings Prep Time
        1 1/2 cups 15 minutes
        Cook Time
        10 minutes
        Servings Prep Time
        1 1/2 cups 15 minutes
        Cook Time
        10 minutes
        A spoon heavy with peanut sauce stands against a mason jar filled with peanut sauce.
        Peanut Sauce
        Print Recipe
          Servings Prep Time
          1 1/2 cups 15 minutes
          Cook Time
          10 minutes
          Servings Prep Time
          1 1/2 cups 15 minutes
          Cook Time
          10 minutes
          Ingredients
          Servings: cups
          Instructions
          1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Whisk over low-medium heat until smooth. Increase heat to medium and whisk until slightly thickened and the sauce comes barely to a simmer (do not boil).
          2. Remove from heat and adjust thickness with a little more water or coconut milk if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature.
          Recipe Notes

          -The sauce will thicken as it cools, adjust thickness with a splash of water or coconut milk to suit your taste.

          -The sauce will keep refrigerated in a sealed container for up to a week and in the freezer for a month.

          Product Favourites!

          Affiliate Disclosure

          I may receive compensation for purchases made through this site, at no cost to the purchaser. Compelled to Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
          Beef Skewers with Peanut Sauce

          Beef Skewers with Peanut Sauce

          by | Jul 19, 2016 | BEEF, GLUTEN FREE | 0 comments

          You don’t have to break the bank with expensive cuts of beef to enjoy melt in your mouth tenderness. Flank steak that is marinated and cut properly across the grain will yield fantastic results and these Beef Skewers with Peanut Sauce are the perfect demonstration of how an average cut of beef can be made into something tender and full of flavour.

          Flank steak is a cut of beef from the abdomen of the cow, generally long and flat and most often marinated and cooked quickly over high heat. Cutting across the grain before or after cooking is done to achieve maximum tenderness. You may think as thin as you can go is the best option, however I found that when cut too thin the beef strips don’t thread or stay on the skewer very well, especially if they stick a little on the grill. Be sure to cut the beef strips at least 1/8”-1/4” in thickness.  I will usually spray the grills with non stick spray once they are pre heated just to make turning them easier. In this recipe I used metal skewers, but by all means use wooden skewers that have been soaked according to package directions if that is what you have.

          These beef skewers are slightly briny, pungent and sticky. Fantastic with rice and drizzled with peanut sauce……who am I kidding, dunked in peanut sauce is more like it. Enjoy!!

          Beef Skewers with Peanut Sauce are tender, pungent and slightly sticky beef slices served with peanut sauce.
          Beef Skewers with Peanut Sauce
          Print Recipe
          Tender pungent and slightly sticky beef strips grilled and served with peanut sauce.
            Servings
            4 people
            Servings
            4 people
            Beef Skewers with Peanut Sauce are tender, pungent and slightly sticky beef slices served with peanut sauce.
            Beef Skewers with Peanut Sauce
            Print Recipe
            Tender pungent and slightly sticky beef strips grilled and served with peanut sauce.
              Servings
              4 people
              Servings
              4 people
              Ingredients
              Beef Skewers
              Peanut Sauce
              Servings: people
              Instructions
              Beef Skewers
              1. If using wooden skewers, soak according to package directions. Lay flank steak flat and cut into 1/4" slices across the grain. Set aside.
              2. Whisk together remaining ingredients. Add sliced beef and toss to completely coat each piece. Allow to marinate in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours.
              3. Preheat grill to medium high. Thread beef slices onto skewers. Spray grills with non stick spray if desired to prevent beef from over sticking to the grills.
              4. Grill beef skewers for approximately 7-8 minutes, turning once or twice to crisp up the edges. Serve with peanut sauce.
              Peanut Sauce
              1. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and warm over medium heat. Do not boil or the peanut butter will separate. Garnish with additional chopped peanuts and serve with beef skewers.