One Pan Chicken with Ptitim (Israeli Couscous)
By Henny Shor, Jerusalem Post, November 1, 2025
One Pan Chicken with Ptitim (Israeli Couscous)
This is Israeli comfort food at its best – tender spiced chicken and perfectly seasoned ptitim (Israeli couscous) cooked together in one pan. It is cozy, colorful, and a great example of how aliyah changes your kitchen in the best possible way. This dish can be made on the stove or in the oven, whichever fits your schedule and kitchen rhythm.In my first apartment in Jerusalem, I shared space with three roommates. We each had our own way of cooking and eating, but one food we all had in common, besides ice cream, was ptitim (couscous). I remember often walking into the kitchen and seeing my roommate sautéing her ptitim (couscous), with a kettle boiling in the background, ready to pour the hot water into the pot.
That beautiful sizzling sound when the water hits the toasted couscous would instantly make my mouth water. She would catch my face and quickly toss in a bit more, knowing that, like it or not, she would be sharing some with me.
Yields 4-5 Servings.
Ingredients:
- 1 kilo boneless, skinless chicken (breasts or thighs)
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. cumin
- ½ tsp. turmeric
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 2 tsp. salt, divided
- 1½ cups ptitim (couscous)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cups boiling water
Directions:
In the same pan, add a drizzle of olive oil along with the couscous, diced onion, parsley, and the remaining 1 tsp. salt. Stir for about 4 minutes until the couscous are lightly toasted. Add 3 cups of boiling water, mix well, then return the chicken to the pan. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the chicken is tender.
Oven method: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). In a large bowl, combine the chicken with the spices and a drizzle of olive oil, tossing to coat evenly. Let it sit a few minutes to absorb the flavors.
In a large baking dish, add the couscous and onions, then mix in the seasoned chicken. Pour in the water and salt, stirring everything together to combine. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 12-15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the couscous are golden and fluffy.
This dish is cozy, flavorful, and authentically Israeli – the kind of meal that fills your kitchen with the sound, aroma, and taste of home.
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| Enjoy! |
