with Almond Couscous & Roasted Carrots

Yield: 2

A saucy coating that includes glossy cherry jam and balsamic pan sauce—because why choose one of these ingredients when you could both? Add to that a side of almond-studded couscous and roasted carrots.
Prep: 15 Cook: 35

• 1clove garlic
• ½oz sliced almonds
• 5tsp balsamic vinegar
• 9oz carrots
• 2scallions
• 2½oz Israeli couscous
• 10oz chicken cutlets
• 1oz chicken stock concentrate
• 1oz cherry jam
• salt & pepper
• 5tsp olive oil
• 3TBS butter

Prep:

Adjust rack to middle position and preheat oven to 425°F. Wash and dry produce.

Peel and mince garlic. Trim, peel, and cut carrots on a diagonal into ½-inch-thick pieces. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens.

Make almond couscous:

Melt 1 TBS butter in a small pot over medium-high heat. Add almonds, cook, stirring, until lightly browned, 2- to 3-minutes.

Add garlic, couscous, and a pinch of salt, cook for 30 seconds.

Stir in ¾ cup water and cover. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, until couscous is tender, 6- to 8-minutes. Drain any excess water from pot if necessary.

Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.

Roast carrots:

Meanwhile, toss carrots on a baking sheet with a large drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Roast on middle rack until browned and tender, 20-25 minutes.

Cook chicken:

While carrots roast, pat chicken dry with paper towels, season generously all over with salt and pepper.

Heat a large drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, 3- to 5-minutes per side.

Turn off heat, transfer to a cutting board to rest.

Make sauce:

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in same pan over medium-high heat. Add scallion whites and cook for 1 minute.

Pour in vinegar, stock concentrate, jam, and ¼ cup water, whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, 1- to 2-minutes.

Turn off heat, stir in 1 TBS butter until melted. Season with salt and pepper.

Finish & serve:

Stir 1 TBS butter into pot with couscous, season with salt and pepper.

Thinly slice chicken crosswise.

Divide couscous, chicken, and carrots between plates. Top chicken with sauce. Garnish with scallion greens and serve.