Asian Sesame Chicken Couscous (Printable Version)

Pearl couscous, shredded chicken, fresh veggies, and a savory sesame-soy dressing combine for a bright, easy dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Couscous & Base

01 - 1 1/4 cups pearl couscous
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

→ Protein

04 - 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, skinless

→ Vegetables & Fresh Additions

05 - 1 large cucumber, diced
06 - 1/2 cup shredded carrots
07 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
08 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped

→ Sesame-Soy Dressing

10 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
11 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
12 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
13 - 1 tablespoon honey
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
15 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
16 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
17 - 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce

→ Garnish

18 - 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
19 - Lime wedges

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - In a medium saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Add pearl couscous, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until couscous is tender. Drain any excess water and let cool slightly.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, lime juice, ginger, garlic, and Sriracha until well combined.
03 - In a large bowl, combine cooked couscous, shredded chicken, cucumber, carrots, scallions, cilantro, and mint.
04 - Pour the sesame-soy dressing over the salad and toss well to coat evenly.
05 - Transfer to serving bowls, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, and serve with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in 30 minutes, which means you can have dinner on the table faster than ordering takeout.
  • The sesame-soy dressing has that perfect savory-sweet punch that makes simple ingredients taste restaurant-quality.
  • It's the kind of salad that tastes even better the next day when the couscous absorbs all the flavors.
02 -
  • Don't skip cooling the couscous before dressing, or the warm grain will absorb too much liquid and the salad becomes gloppy instead of vibrant.
  • The dressing ratio is crucial—this amount is balanced for 1 1/4 cups of couscous, so if you're doubling the recipe, resist the temptation to just eyeball the dressing or you'll end up with something too funky to eat.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds fresh in a dry skillet for just 2 minutes before you need them—this one small step makes them taste nutty and alive instead of flat.
  • If you're nervous about the sesame oil overpowering everything, start with 1 1/2 tablespoons instead of 2, then add more after tasting—you can always add but you can't take it back.
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