Courtney's Cajun Couscous with a Kick

Elevate your weeknight dinner game with "Courtney's Cajun Couscous with a Kick," a flavor-packed dish that combines the nuttiness of fluffy couscous with the bold spice of Cajun seasoning. This vibrant recipe comes to life with sautéed bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and aromatic garlic, creating a medley of textures and colors. The addition of smoked paprika and red pepper flakes delivers a fiery "kick" that’s perfectly balanced by fresh parsley, green onions, and a squeeze of zesty lemon juice. Ready in just 25 minutes, this quick and easy recipe is versatile enough to pair with grilled protein or enjoy as a standalone vegetarian delight. Whether you're craving a hearty side or a flavorful main, this Cajun-inspired couscous is your ticket to a satisfying culinary adventure. Perfect for meal prep or serving a crowd, it’s a healthy, vibrant dish you’ll want to make again and again!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup couscous
• 1.25 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.5 cup yellow onion, diced
• 0.5 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 0.5 cup green bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 0.25 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 2 stalks green onions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 0.25 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, bring the low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth) to a boil. Once boiling, remove from heat, stir in the couscous, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper, and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Step 4

Stir in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes, allowing the spices to toast for about 30 seconds to release their flavors.

Step 5

Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they soften slightly but still hold their shape.

Step 6

Reduce the heat to low. Gently fold the cooked couscous into the skillet mixture, ensuring all ingredients are evenly combined.

Step 7

Stir in the chopped parsley, sliced green onions, and fresh lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 8

Remove from heat and serve immediately. Garnish with additional parsley or green onions if desired for a fresh pop of color.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(935.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	586.2

Total Fat 30.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2087.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 68.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.9g	0%
Total Sugars 13.6g
Protein 12.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 128.4mg	0%
Iron 3.6mg	0%
Potassium 1155.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.4%

Protein: 8.5%

Carbs: 46.1%