Asian Sesame Chicken Couscous (Print View)

Quick 30-minute bowl with tender couscous, shredded chicken, and crisp vegetables in savory sesame-soy dressing.

# 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 for serving

# Directions:

01 - In a medium saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil. Add pearl couscous, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until couscous is tender. Drain 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 all ingredients evenly.
05 - Transfer to serving bowls, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, and serve with lime wedges on the side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sesame-soy dressing is bold enough to carry the whole dish, so you don't need complicated techniques or a ton of ingredients.
  • Rotisserie chicken means you're doing almost zero actual cooking, which feels like cheating in the best way.
  • It tastes just as good tomorrow, making it perfect for lunch box planning or when you're tired of thinking about food.
  • The combination of warm couscous and cool, crisp vegetables creates this satisfying textural contrast that keeps you coming back for another bite.
02 -
  • Don't skip the toasted sesame oil step—regular sesame oil tastes floral and faint in comparison, and it's the backbone of why this dressing works.
  • If your dressing sits for more than a few hours, the sesame oil separates and settles, so give it a quick whisk before serving to redistribute it evenly.
03 -
  • Taste the dressing before you add it to the salad and adjust the soy sauce or lime juice if needed—the seasoning should feel assertive in a small spoon, because it gets distributed across the whole bowl.
  • If you're cooking the couscous ahead, toss it with a tiny drizzle of sesame oil while it's still warm so the grains don't stick together in one clump.
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