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Homemade Middle Eastern Chicken and Couscous Wraps with Goat Cheese. recipe photo

Middle Eastern Chicken and Couscous Wraps with Goat Cheese.

A vibrant Middle Eastern–inspired wrap with spiced yogurt-marinated chicken, spinach-studded couscous, tangy tahini sauce, goat cheese and pomegranate.
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken sliced into strips
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 0% if preferred
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced or grated
  • 2 cloves garlic minced or grated
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup dry couscous
  • 1 cup water or chicken broth
  • 1/2 - 1 cup spinach chopped
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil drained and sliced, reserve 1–2 tablespoons of the oil
  • 1/3 cup Kalamata olives sliced
  • 1/3 cup roasted shelled pistachios chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped (may substitute parsley)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons pomegranate arils
  • 4 ounces goat cheese crumbled
  • 1/2 cup tahini (sesame paste)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic for tahini sauce, minced or grated
  • 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt for tahini sauce
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • salt and pepper to taste (for tahini sauce)
  • 4-8 pieces naan or pita bread for serving

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • gallon zip-top bag (optional)
  • medium saucepan with lid
  • Large Skillet
  • Small Bowl
  • Fork
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Make the chicken marinade: in a medium bowl or zip-top bag whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon minced ginger, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Add the chicken strips, toss to coat, then cover or seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
  2. Cook the couscous: bring 1 cup water or chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in 3/4 cup couscous, remove from heat, cover and let sit 5–10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
  3. Finish the couscous: while still warm, stir the chopped spinach (1/2–1 cup), 1 tablespoon honey, 1/3 cup sliced sun-dried tomatoes plus 1–2 tablespoons reserved oil, 1/3 cup sliced Kalamata olives, 1/3 cup chopped pistachios, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro and salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm.
  4. Prepare the tahini sauce: in a small bowl whisk 1/2 cup tahini (warm 20–30 seconds if too thick), 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt, juice of 1 lemon and a pinch of salt and pepper until smooth. Set aside, and stir in the 3 tablespoons pomegranate arils just before serving.
  5. Cook the chicken: heat a large skillet over high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Remove excess marinade from the chicken, then add the strips to the hot skillet and stir-fry 4–6 minutes, until cooked through and browned.
  6. Assemble the wraps: warm the naan or pita. Spread a little tahini sauce down the center of each bread, top with a portion of the couscous, add sliced chicken, and sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese. Garnish with extra cilantro, pistachios and pomegranate arils if desired, then fold or roll and serve.

Notes

  • Marinate the chicken at least 30 minutes for best flavor.
  • You can make the couscous up to a few hours ahead and keep warm.
  • Warm the tahini slightly if it is too thick before whisking.
  • Reserve 1–2 tablespoons of sun-dried tomato oil to add flavor to the couscous.