Moroccan Spiced Ground Turkey & Chickpea Tagine with Lemon-Herb Couscous

A fragrant and hearty tagine featuring lean ground turkey simmered with chickpeas, diced tomatoes, and a blend of warm Moroccan spices, served over fluffy lemon-herb couscous for a complete and satisfying meal.

• Prep: 20 min
• Cook: 30 min
• Total: 50 min
• Servings: 4
• Cuisine: Moroccan
• Difficulty: Easy
• Cost: $3.88/serving

Dietary

• Dairy-Free
• Nut-Free
• Soy-Free
• Egg-Free
• Low-Sugar
• High-Protein
• High-Fiber

Tags

• budget-friendly
• comfort food
• healthy
• savory
• spicy

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground turkey (93% lean)
• 1 yellow onion (medium, diced)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounce, undrained)
• 1.5 cup vegetable broth
• 1 can chickpeas (15 ounce, drained and rinsed)
• 1.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1.5 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1.5 cup couscous (uncooked)
• 1.5 cup water (hot)
• 2 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh)
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound of ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
2. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Stir in 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups of vegetable broth, 1 can of drained and rinsed chickpeas, 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cumin, 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground coriander, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
4. While the tagine simmers, prepare the couscous: In a medium heat-proof bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of uncooked couscous with 1 1/2 cups of hot water, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley, and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Stir briefly, then cover the bowl with a plate or lid and let stand for 5 minutes, until the water is absorbed and the couscous is fluffy.
5. Fluff the couscous with a fork. Taste the tagine and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve the Moroccan Spiced Ground Turkey & Chickpea Tagine over the lemon-herb couscous, garnished with chopped fresh cilantro, if desired.

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 583
• Protein: 37.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 69.3 g
• Fat: 19 g
• Fiber: 8.8 g
• Sodium: 1170 mg
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Sugar: 2.5 g
• Cholesterol: 33 mg