Best Israeli Chicken Recipes

GARLIC CHICKEN WITH ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• For the chicken: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place the garlic bulbs in the oven and roast until soft, about 30 minutes. Remove and let cool. When the bulbs are cool enough to handle, slice off the tops and squeeze the cloves into the bowl of a food processor.
• Add the lemon zest and juice, cumin, and crushed red pepper to the garlic. Season the mixture with salt and puree until smooth. While the machine is running, drizzle in 1/4 cup olive oil. Taste and reseason if needed.
• Place the chicken in a large dish or on a baking sheet and massage the garlic mixture onto the skin of each piece-really lube it up! Let the chicken sit at room temp for up to 2 hours or, if longer than 2 hours, in the fridge. HINT, HINT: This can be done WAY ahead of time!
• For the couscous:
• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil-taste the water to make sure it is salty like the ocean! Add the couscous and cook until it's two-thirds of the way done, 5 to 6 minutes. Strain and reserve.
• Coat a large saute pan with olive oil, toss in the onion and celery, and bring to medium-high heat. Season with salt and crushed red pepper and cook until soft, 7 to 8 minutes.
• Stir in the tomato paste, white wine, and saffron and cook for 3 to 4 more minutes.
• Toss in the zucchini, reserved couscous, pine nuts, thyme bundle, and bay leaf and stir to combine. Add 1 1/2 cups chicken stock and stir. The couscous should be a little soupy. If it isn't, add the remaining 1/2 cup chicken stock. Taste and reseason if needed. Remove and discard the bay leaf and the thyme bundle. Transfer the mixture to a large baking dish-one big enough to hold the chicken as well-and reserve.
• To assemble:
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Coat a large saute pan with olive oil and bring it to medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown the chicken on all sides. Be patient, this may take up to 6 to 8 minutes. BE SURE not to crowd the pan. If you do, the chicken will steam and get soggy rather than brown and crispy . . . not yummy.
• Nestle the browned chicken skin side up in the prepared couscous. Cover with foil and place in the oven. Roast the chicken for 20 minutes, remove the foil, and roast for another 15 minutes.
• When the chicken is cooked through, remove from the oven and top with the chopped scallions and cilantro to serve.

ISRAELI SPICE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Israeli Spice Rub:
• For the spice rub combine the paprika, cumin, oregano, coriander, crushed red pepper flakes, and kosher salt in a bowl. Place in a sealable jar, keep in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.
• Place chicken in a shallow dish. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil to barely coat the meat. Rub chicken liberally with 4 tablespoons of the spice blend. Let stand 10 minutes.
• Grill chicken 6 or 7 minutes on each side or until juices run clear.
• Seed and chop the tomatoes and combine with onion and parsley in a shallow bowl. Combine oil, lemon juice, and spices in a small plastic container with a lid. Shake dressing to combine and pour over salad. Season salad with kosher salt and toss to combine well. Let stand 10 minutes and serve.

GRILLED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• For the chicken: Add the olive oil, oregano, chicken and garlic to a large resealable plastic bag. Finely grate the zest of 1 lemon and add it to the bag; add the juice of both lemons to the bag. Seal the bag tightly and use your hands to vigorously massage the marinade into the chicken, making sure that the chicken is evenly coated. Marinate at room temperature while you make the couscous.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat.
• For the couscous: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and toast the almonds, tossing occasionally, until lightly toasted. Set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the couscous and cook, stirring occasionally, until toasted, about 3 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic and cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Add 2 1/4 cups water, the raisins and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low and cook until all the water has been absorbed and the couscous is tender, about 12 minutes. Transfer the couscous to a large bowl and stir with a fork to break up any clumps and release excess steam. Set aside.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and place on a platter. Lightly oil the grill grates. Sprinkle the chicken liberally with salt and pepper and arrange the pieces skin-side down on the grill, leaving some space between the pieces. Cook until the skin is lightly charred and releases itself from the grill, about 3 minutes. Rotate the chicken about 90 degrees so that the skin won't burn and cook another 3 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Cover the grill and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the deepest part of each chicken thigh reads 165 degrees F, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a platter and rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
• While the chicken rests, add the remaining 3 tablespoons oil, the almonds, feta, olives, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt and some ground black pepper to the couscous. Finely grate the zest of 1 lemon and add it to the couscous; squeeze the juice from both lemons into the couscous and toss to combine.
• Divide the couscous and chicken thighs among 6 plates and serve immediately.
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ZA'ATAR CHICKEN WITH ORANGE ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper then rub the za'atar spice on both sides.
• Heat up half the oil in a large sauté pan and sear chicken well, approximately 4-5 minutes per side until browned on each side.
• Transfer chicken breasts to oven-proof pan and keep warm. Do not allow the meat to dry out.
• Return the skillet to the stove top and add the wine to deglaze; boil 1 minute.
• Add the chicken stock and return to boil.
• Immediately add the couscous. Cover skillet tightly and remove from heat.
• Keep skillet covered 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
• Meanwhile, in a bowl combine the reserved 2 tablespoons olive oil, orange juice, zest, cumin and cilantro.
• Stir into the couscous, tossing in the pine nuts and orange segments. Fluff with a fork.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste, if necessary.
• Transfer the couscous to a platter and place the chicken breasts on top.
• Serve with warm pita bread, tzatziki and imported olives.

GARLIC CHICKEN IN CASSEROLE WITH ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Put the garlic bulbs in a small tin and roast them until they are soft when squeezed, about 30 minutes. Remove them from the oven and let cool.
• When the garlic bulbs are cool, slice the tops off and squeeze out the roasted garlic. Add the garlic to a food processor or a bowl, along with the lemon zest, lemon juice, thyme, cumin, crushed red pepper and salt, to taste. Add a little olive oil and puree or mash into a loose paste. Massage the mixture all over the chicken pieces and let sit for at least 1 hour.
• Bring a pot of well salted water to a boil, over medium heat. Add the couscous and cook it until it's about 2/3 of the way cooked, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain and reserve.
• Coat a large saute pan with olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the pan and brown it on all sides. Remove it to a plate, drain the fat and add the onions and celery. Season with salt, to taste, and the crushed red pepper. Deglaze with white wine, scraping up all the crud on the bottom of the pan and cook the onions and celery for 7 to 8 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes. Add in the saffron, zucchini, cooked couscous, and chicken stock. Stir to combine, then taste and adjust seasoning, if needed. Transfer the mix to an ovenproof dish. Nestle the chicken, skin side up, in the couscous and cover with foil. Add some more chicken stock to keep everything nice and moist. Sprinkle with pine nuts and cover with foil. Place the baking dish on a sheet pan.
• Roast the chicken for 20 minutes, covered, then remove the foil and roast for another 10 to 15 minutes.
• Remove the chicken from the oven and top with scallions before serving.

SPICE-RUBBED CHICKEN WITH ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, heat 1/2 teaspoon oil over medium. Add couscous; cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook until liquid is almost absorbed, about 6 minutes. Add spinach, and cook until couscous is tender, 1 minute. Stir in almonds, and set aside.
• Sprinkle chicken with garam masala; season with salt and pepper. In a small skillet over medium-low, heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil. Add chicken; cook until opaque throughout, 6 to 8 minutes per side. Slice chicken; serve with couscous.

BAKED ISRAELI CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pre 350 heat oven to degrees F.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper.
• Place chicken in a Pyrex 9" X 13" or another ovenproof dish.
• In a medium bowl, Mix the rest of the ingredients with a whisk and then pour it over the chicken.
• Let this marinate for at least 1 hour, covered in the refrigerator.
• Bake for 1 hour, basting frequently.

PAN-SEARED AIRLINE CHICKEN BREASTS WITH ISRAELI COUSCOUS, POMEGRANATE AND HARICOT VERTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Heat a medium oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add the extra-virgin olive oil. While the oil heats up, season the chicken breast with salt on both sides. Add the chicken to the preheated oil, skin-side down. Sear on the first side until the skin is crispy, about 5 minutes. Flip to the other side, place the skillet in the oven, and cook until the chicken is cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes more.
• While the chicken finishes cooking, bring about 2 1/2 cups of the chicken stock to a boil in a small saucepan and season with salt to taste (if needed). Add the couscous, return the stock to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Cook until all the liquid is absorbed, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Set a large bowl of ice water on the counter. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil and add enough salt so it tastes like the ocean, then add the haricots verts. Blanch the beans until they are bright in color and al dente, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain the beans and immediately add them to the ice bath to stop the cooking process. Drain, then transfer the beans to paper towels to dry.
• Remove the chicken from the oven and set the skillet back on the stovetop. Transfer the chicken breasts to a cutting board. Turn the heat back on under the skillet and deglaze the pan with the remaining chicken stock and the red pepper flakes. Bring the stock to a boil and taste, seasoning with salt if needed.
• Toss the warm couscous with the beans, 2 tablespoons of pomegranate seeds, the pomegranate molasses and the chopped chives. Serve with the chicken breast and drizzle the pan sauce over the top.

MAFTOUL WITH CHICKEN - MIDDLE EASTERN (ISRAELI COUS COUS)

Steps:

• Fry the spices and onion in a little olive oil. Add the chicken and seal well.
• Bring 1/2 liter of water to the boil. Place maftoul in large bowl and pour over enough to cover the maftoul. After 10 seconds, drain off water and mix in 1/2 tsp salt before placing maftoul in the steamer.
• Pour tomatoes over chicken and add salt & pepper to taste. Cover with water (water should come about 2" over the ingredients). At this point you can add a chicken stock cube if you wish. Cover and cook for 45 mins on medium heat.
• If you have a large couscousier or double steamer you can cook the sauce in the bottom and maftoul in the top which is preferable as the maftoul absorbs the flavours --.
• Remove the chicken from the sauce and place on a baking sheet in the oven (180 degrees c) for 10 minutes to brown off and dry out.
• Whilst chicken is in the oven, add the chickpeas to the sauce and cook gently for 10 minutes.
• Check seasoning. Take 8 bowls, divide the maftoul between them. Pour over some sauce then top with the chicken pieces.

ISRAELI SPICE CHICKEN

Steps:

• For the spice rub combine the paprika, cumin, oregano, coriander, crushed red pepper flakes, and kosher salt in a bowl. Place in a sealable jar, keep in a cool dry place for up to 6 months. Place chicken in a shallow dish. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil to barely coat the meat. Rub chicken liberally with 4 tablespoons of the spice blend. Let stand 10 minutes. Grill chicken 6 or 7 minutes on each side or until juices run clear. Relish: Seed and chop the tomatoes and combine with onion and parsley in a shallow bowl. Combine oil, lemon juice, and spices in a small plastic container with a lid. Shake dressing to combine and pour over salad. Season salad with kosher salt and toss to combine well. Let stand 10 minutes and serve. Zucchini: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cut zucchini into 1/4-inch slices. Add oil, garlic, and zucchini to pan and saute 7 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally with a firm shake of the skillet, until zucchini are just tender. Add mint, parsley, salt, and pepper, and cook 1 minute longer. Remove from heat and serve.

ZA'ATAR CHICKEN OR EGGPLANT AND HUMMUS WITH ISRAELI SALAD

Steps:

• For the za'atar spice blend: Combine spices for za'atar in small plastic container. Cover and shake to combine.
• For the chicken or eggplant and hummus: Salt eggplant planks if using, drain and press on a kitchen towel or pound chicken breast cutlets and tenders on gel board to 1/8 inch thick if using. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Season eggplant or chicken with za'atar lightly on both sides.
• Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle or large nonstick pan over medium high heat. Spray pan with oil and, working in batches, place eggplant or chicken in the pan and cook until brown and tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook another 3 to 4 minutes, then remove and transfer to a platter. Slice into strips when ready to serve.
• To make the hummus, in a food processor bowl, combine chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, EVOO, 3 tablespoons za'atar and cumin. Process until smooth and add water if needed to thin. Transfer to a bowl.
• For the Israeli salad: Combine pickles, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions and herbs in a bowl. Add lemon juice, EVOO, salt and red or black pepper and toss to combine.
• Serve eggplant or chicken on platter with salad, hummus and pita bread.

ISRAELI COFFEE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Rinse and dry chicken and place in a lightly oiled shallow baking dish. Preheat oven to 350. Combine all remaining ingredients in small saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 8 to 10 minutes to reduce and thicken slightly. Pour coffee mixture over chicken; toss to coat then bake uncovered 45 minutes to one hour, basting occasionally with pan juices until chicken is tender. Remove from oven and serve.

CHICKEN AND ISRAELI COUSCOUS WITH TOMATO AND LEMON

Steps:

• 1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add couscous, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl, and return skillet to heat. 2. Cook chicken, smooth side down, until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Flip, and cook for 2 minutes more. Transfer to a plate, reserving drippings in skillet. 3. Reduce heat to medium, add onion, and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, garlic, lemon peel, and saffron, and cook, stirring frequently, until tomatoes begin to break down, 2 to 3 minutes. 4. Return chicken to skillet. Add wine, and cook for 4 minutes. Add stock, salt, and couscous, and stir. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until couscous is tender and chicken is cooked through, 12 to 14 minutes. Stir in peas, and cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Serve immediately with lemon.

ISRAELI ROAST DUCK (OR CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Rinse duck under cold water and pat dry inside and out. Remove excess fat from the bird.
• Season bird, inside and out, with salt and pepper and prick skin with a fork several times to allow fat to escape. Place orange quarters in cavity.
• In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and 1 teaspoon salt with 4 tablespoons orange juice.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Place the sliced onion and carrot into a roasting pan and place duck on a rack on top.
• Roast duck 30 minutes then remove from oven. Pour off fat, prick skin again and baste with the orange juice mixture.
• Continue cooking, basting it and pouring off the fat every 20 minutes until it is well browned and skin is crisp, 1 1/2 hours or until it is done.
• Remove the duck to a platter and cover with foil. Let stand 15 minutes.
• Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the fat from the pan. Stir in flour. Cook, stirring and scraping the drippings from the pan about 2 minutes. Stir in remaining orange juice, chicken stock, vinegar and marmalade.
• Bring to a boil and simmer until well blended and thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.
• To serve, quarter the duck, or carve to your liking. Serve the gravy on the side.

ISRAELI CHICKEN SOFRITO

Steps:

• Use a 6 qt. Dutch oven or heavy pot with lid, slotted spatula Prepare the chicken thighs by sprinkling them with salt (lightly if it’s kosher chicken), then generously with black pepper. In a heavy pot with a lid (I prefer an enameled Dutch oven), heat olive oil over medium high heat till hot but not smoking. Oil should coat the entire bottom of the pot. Place 4 of the chicken thighs into the pan, skin side down, and cook undisturbed for about 7-8 minutes till the skin is dark golden brown (careful, it may splatter a bit!). Do not move the chicken during the initial cooking process; the skin will initially stick to the bottom of the pot, then will loosen as it browns. If the oil begins to smoke a lot, lower the heat a bit and continue to cook. When the skin is brown and crispy, turn and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes till brown. Remove chicken from pan with a slotted spatula and set aside. Repeat instructions for the remaining 4 pieces of chicken. Remove chicken from pan and reserve. You should now have plenty of cooking oil/schmaltz in the bottom of your pot. Fry the potato chunks for about 8 minutes, stirring gently 2-3 times during cooking, till potatoes are browned and crisp on the outside. You may need to do this in batches to ensure that the pot is not crowded for even browning. They should be semi-cooked and golden, but not overly soft. Raise heat if needed to m

ISRAELI CHICKEN SOFRITO

Steps:

• Prepare the chicken thighs by sprinkling them with salt (lightly if it’s kosher chicken), then generously with black pepper.
• In a heavy pot with a lid (I prefer an enameled Dutch oven), heat olive oil over medium high heat till hot but not smoking. Oil should coat the entire bottom of the pot. Place 4 of the chicken thighs into the pan, skin side down, and cook undisturbed for about 7-8 minutes till the skin is dark golden brown (careful, it may splatter a bit!). Do not move the chicken during the initial cooking process; the skin will initially stick to the bottom of the pot, then will loosen as it browns. If the oil begins to smoke a lot, lower the heat a bit and continue to cook. When the skin is brown and crispy, turn and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes till brown.
• Remove chicken from pan with a slotted spatula and set aside. Repeat instructions for the remaining 4 pieces of chicken. Remove chicken from pan and reserve.
• You should now have plenty of cooking oil/schmaltz in the bottom of your pot. Fry the potato chunks for about 8 minutes, stirring gently 2-3 times during cooking, till potatoes are browned and crisp on the outside. You may need to do this in batches to ensure that the pot is not crowded for even browning. They should be semi-cooked and golden, but not overly soft. Raise heat if needed to make sure they brown evenly on all sides. Remove potatoes from the pot with a slotted spatula and reserve.
• Add sliced onions and ¼ tsp of salt to the oil, stir to coat. Cover the pot and reduce heat to medium. Let the onions cook covered for about 10 minutes.
• While the onions are cooking covered in the pot, whisk together the chicken stock, paprika, turmeric, garlic powder and bay leaves to create your cooking liquid. Set aside.
• Uncover the pot and continue to cook the onions over medium high heat, continuing to stir till the onions soften and begin to caramelize. Scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot as you stir. The longer you cook the onions, the more they will caramelize.
• At this point, you can drain off the excess fat and schmaltz if you wish to cut calories, or you can keep it in the dish to add flavor.
• Add chicken and cooking liquid to the pot with the onions and bring to a simmer.
• Cover, reduce heat to medium low, and cook for about 60 minutes till the chicken is very tender (you can cook it even longer for a more tender result if you wish). Add the browned potatoes back to the pot and toss to coat with sauce. Raise heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, for an additional 15 minutes or until cooking liquid has reduced and potatoes are tender and soak up some of the cooking liquid. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve sofrito and sauce on a platter in the center of the table. Enjoy!

SPICE-RUBBED CHICKEN WITH ISRAELI COUSCOUS RECIPE

Steps:

• 1. In a small saucepan, heat 1/2 teaspoon oil over medium. Add couscous; cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook until liquid is almost absorbed, about 6 minutes. Add spinach, and cook until couscous is tender, 1 minute. Stir in almonds, and set aside. 2. Sprinkle chicken with garam masala; season with salt and pepper. In a small skillet over medium-low, heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil. Add chicken; cook until opaque throughout, 6 to 8 minutes per side. Slice chicken; serve with couscous. Cook's Notes Garam masala is a fragrant Indian blend of spices that usually includes black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, and coriander. As with regular couscous, Israeli couscous is a type of pasta made with semolina flour, but its grains, or pearls, are larger and chewier.

SPICE RUBBED CHICKEN WITH ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, heat 1/2 teaspoon oil over medium. Add couscous, cook, stirring, until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup water and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook until liquid is almost absorbed, about 6 minutes. Add spinach, and cook until couscous is tender, 1 minute. Stir in almonds, and set aside. Sprinkle chicken with garam masala; season with salt and pepper. In a small skillet over medium-low, heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil. Add chicken; cook until opaque throughout, 6 to 8 minutes, per side. Slice chicken; serve with couscous.

ISRAELI COUSCOUS & CHICKEN SAUSAGE SKILLET

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add sausage, onion and celery; cook and stir until sausage is browned, 6-8 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer., Stir in broth, water and pepper flakes; bring to a boil. Stir in couscous. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed, 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Stir in parsley. If desired, sprinkle with cheese.

CHICKEN WITH ISRAELI COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add couscous, and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl, and return skillet to heat. Cook chicken, smooth side down, until browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Flip, and cook for 2 minutes more. Transfer to a plate, reserving drippings in skillet. Reduce heat to medium, add onion, and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, garlic, lemon peel, and saffron, and cook, stirring frequently, until tomatoes begin to break down, 2 to 3 minutes. Return chicken to skillet. Add wine, and cook for 4 minutes. Add stock, salt, and couscous, and stir. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until couscous is tender and chicken is cooked through, 12 to 14 minutes. Stir in peas, and cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Serve immediately with lemon.