Yogurt-Marinated Chicken with Pistachio Couscous and Chili Roasted Carrots

If you’ve never marinated chicken in yogurt, get ready to be amazed. This simple technique tenderizes the meat quickly and creates a beautifully browned crust when pan-seared. The result is juicy, flavorful chicken that pairs wonderfully with nutty couscous and sweet-spicy roasted carrots.

This complete meal features pistachio-studded couscous, chili-roasted carrots, and a creamy garlic sauce for drizzling. It’s a satisfying dinner that comes together in under an hour, perfect for a weeknight treat or a special weekend meal.

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Ingredients

1 clove GarlicView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LemonView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon YogurtView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Tunisian Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Chicken CutletsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

12 ounce CarrotsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 ounce PistachiosView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce CilantroView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 teaspoon Chili FlakesView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2.5 cup Israeli CouscousView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Chicken Stock ConcentrateView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

5 teaspoon Olive OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon ButterView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and adjust rack to top position. Wash and dry all produce. Peel and mince garlic. Zest and quarter the lemon. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
2. In a medium bowl, combine Tunisian spice blend, half the yogurt, half the garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Add chicken and turn to coat. Set aside to marinate.
3. Trim, peel, and cut carrots diagonally into ½-inch-thick pieces. Roughly chop pistachios and cilantro. Toss carrots on a baking sheet with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and a pinch of chili flakes. Roast on top rack until golden and tender, 20–25 minutes.
4. While carrots roast, in a small bowl, combine sour cream and remaining yogurt with garlic to taste. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in water 1 teaspoon at a time until mixture reaches a drizzling consistency.
5. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Add to pan and cook until browned and cooked through, 6–8 minutes per side. Adjust heat if marinade starts to burn. Transfer to a cutting board to rest, then slice crosswise.
6. Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small pot over medium-high heat. Add pistachios and cook, stirring, until lightly browned, 2–4 minutes. Add couscous and a pinch of salt; cook, stirring, until toasted, about 30 seconds. Stir in stock concentrate and ¾ cup water. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until couscous is tender, 6–8 minutes. Fluff with a fork; stir in lemon zest and half the cilantro. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Divide chicken, couscous, and carrots among plates. Drizzle chicken with garlic sauce, sprinkle with remaining cilantro and chili flakes if desired. Serve with lemon wedges.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Medium bowl

DOWAN 22 OZ White Ceramic Bowls Set of 4 - Perfect for Soup Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl, Ramen Bowl, Microwave Safe for Oatmeal, Fruit,Salad and Rice Bowl - Dishwasher & Microwave SafeView on AmazonMASTERCOOK Plastic Bowls Set of 6 – 15oz Multipurpose Deep Plates Salad and Pasta Bowls Ideal for Home, Kids, Parties – Stackable Bowl for Kitchen – Non-BPA and Food Grade – Cute ColorsView on AmazonMALACASA 26 OZ Porcelain Soup Bowls Set of 4, White Ceramic Bowls for Kitchen, Cereal Bowl for Oatmeal, Fruit, Salad, Ramen and Rice Bowl -Dishwasher & Microwave Safe BowlsView on Amazon

Paper towels

Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 6 Double Rolls = 12 Regular Rolls (108 Sheets Per Roll)View on AmazonAmazon Basics 2-Ply Flex-Sheets Paper Towels, 12 Basics Rolls = 40 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value with 150 Sheets per Roll, Packaging May VaryView on AmazonBounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Triple Rolls = 27 Regular RollsView on Amazon

Peeler

OXO Good Grips Swivel PeelerView on AmazonSpring Chef Premium Swivel Vegetable Peeler, Soft Grip Handle and Ultra Sharp Stainless Steel Blades - Perfect Kitchen Peeler For Veggie, Fruit, Potato, Carrot, Apple - BlackView on AmazonFUHUY Vegetable, Apple Peelers for kitchen, Fruit, Carrot, Veggie, Potatoes Peeler, Y-Shaped and I-Shaped Stainless Steel Peelers, with Ergonomic Non-Slip Handle & Sharp Blade, Good Sturdy (2PCS)View on Amazon

Zester

Deiss PRO Lemon Zester & Heavy Duty Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater - Parmesan Cheese Lemon, Garlic, Nutmeg, Chocolate, Fruits, Vegetables, Ginger Grater - Cheese Shredder & Stainless Steel GraterView on AmazonMicroplane Premium Classic Series Zester 18/8, Black - Lemon Zester & Cheese Grater & Vegetable Grater - Citrus, Parmesan Cheese, Garlic, Ginger, Nutmeg, Chocolate - Stainless Steel GraterView on AmazonOXO Good Grips Etched Zester and GraterView on Amazon

Baking sheet

GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set, 3 Pack Includes Small (13×9) Medium (15×1) and Large (17×11) Pans Carbon Steel Construction Cookie Sheets Bakeware Set, GrayView on AmazonNutriChef 3-Piece Nonstick Kitchen Oven Baking Pans - Premium & Stylish Non-Stick Steel, Commercial Grade Restaurant Quality Metal Bakeware with Red Silicone Handles - Easy to Clean, NCSBS3SView on AmazonNordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet - USA Made Aluminum Commercial Quality Sheet Pan for Baking or Roasting, Encapsulated Galvanized Steel Rim Prevents Warping, 2-PackView on Amazon

Small bowl

Kaytee Stoneware Ceramic Pet Hamster Bowl, Brown, 3-InchView on AmazonDipping Bowls, Soy Sauce Dish Ceramic, 3 OZ Small Serving Bowls for Side Dishes Vintage Blue Stylish Design, Set of 6 Mini Appetizer Plates for Condiment Sushi Ketchup BBQ Party, 4 InchView on AmazonFarielyn-X 3.5in 4oz Small Glass Bowls, Mini Glass Containers, Ramekins, Prep, Pinch Bowl, Stackable Condiment Containers, for Prep, Dips, Nuts, Snacks, Candy Meal Prep Bowls, Dessert BowlsView on Amazon

Large nonstick pan

Tramontina Professional 14-Inch Non Stick Extra Large Frying Pan, Heavy-Gauge Aluminum Skillet with Reinforced Nonstick Coating, Red Handle, Dishwasher and Oven SafeView on AmazonSENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on Amazon

Small pot

SENSARTE Nonstick Saucepan with Lid, 1.5 Quarts Small Pot with Swiss Granite Coating, Stay-cool Handle, Multipurpose Handy Sauce Pot Small Kitchen Cooking Pot, Induction Comptable, PFOA FreeView on AmazonCuisinart 1.5 Quart Sauce Pan with Cover, Stainless Steel Pot with Lid, Small Kitchen Pots, Dishwasher Safe, Compatible with Induction, Electric, Gas Cooktops, Oven Safe Saucepan, Cool Grip HandlesView on AmazonCuisinart 8919-14 Professional Series 1-Quart Saucepan with Cover, Stainless Steel, Mirror FinishView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of regular yogurt?

Yes, Greek yogurt works well and will still tenderize the chicken. You may need to add a splash of water to thin the marinade slightly.

What can I substitute for Tunisian spice blend?

A mix of cumin, coriander, paprika, and a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne can mimic the flavor profile.

Can I prepare the couscous in advance?

Yes, cook the couscous ahead and reheat gently with a splash of water or broth. Add the pistachios and cilantro just before serving for best texture.