Sesame Chicken Couscous Salad

Name: Sesame Chicken Couscous Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings.
Ingredients: 1-1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth; 3 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce, divided; 2 teaspoons sesame oil, divided; 1 cup uncooked couscous; 2 green onions, sliced; 1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen sugar snap peas; 3/4 cup fresh broccoli florets; 1-1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken; 1 large sweet red pepper, chopped; 3/4 cup diced zucchini; 2 tablespoons cider vinegar; 1 tablespoon thawed apple juice concentrate; 1 tablespoon water; 2 teaspoons canola oil; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 2 tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted; 2 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted

I grow lots of the ingredients needed in this recipe. Fresh-tasting and crunchy, it's a perfect summer salad. Try leaving out the chicken and mixing the veggies with the couscous for a fun side dish. —Tari Ambler of Shorewood, Illinois

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce, divided
2 teaspoons sesame oil, divided
1 cup uncooked couscous
2 green onions, sliced
1-1/2 cups fresh or frozen sugar snap peas
3/4 cup fresh broccoli florets
1-1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 large sweet red pepper, chopped
3/4 cup diced zucchini
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon thawed apple juice concentrate
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons canola oil
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons slivered almonds, toasted
2 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted

Directions

In a saucepan, combine the broth, 1 teaspoon soy sauce and 1 teaspoon sesame oil; bring to a boil. Stir in couscous. Cover and remove from the heat. Let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Stir in green onions. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
Place pea pods in a steamer basket in a saucepan over 1 in. of water; bring to a boil. Cover and steam for 1 minute. Add broccoli; cover and steam 2 minutes longer or until crisp-tender. Rinse in cold water; drain. Transfer to a serving bowl; add chicken, red pepper and zucchini.
In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the vinegar, apple juice concentrate, water, canola oil, ginger, pepper and remaining soy sauce and sesame oil. Shake well. Pour over chicken mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until chilled. Serve over couscous. Sprinkle with almonds and sesame seeds.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 382 calories, 9g fat (1g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 451mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 6g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 2 vegetable.

Originally published as Sesame Chicken Couscous Salad in Light & Tasty April/May 2003