Spiced Chicken with Couscous Pilaf

*2 1/2 tsps paprika
*1 tsp dried thyme
*1/2 tsp garlic powder
*1/2 tsp dried oregano
*1/4 tsp black pepper
*1/4 cayenne pepper
*4 (4 oz each) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
*2 tbsp olive oil
*1/2 cup chopped onion
*1 garlic clove
*1 cup uncooked couscous
*1 cup fat free, less-sodium chicken broth
*2 cups carrots, cut in strips
*2 tbsp fresh cilantro, minced
*3 tbsp lime juice (1/2 lime)

1. Combine first 6 ingredients in a shallow dish to create spice mixture. Dredge each chicken breast in spice mixture.

2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in large, nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken; cook 5 minutes each side or until done (center is no longer pink and temperature is 165 F). Remove chicken from pan and keep warm.

3. Heat remaining 1 tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic and carrots. Saute until carrots are crisp-tender, approximately 2-3 minutes.

4. Stir in couscous and chicken broth; bring to a boil. Remove from heat and cover; let stand 5 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. Stir in minced cilantro and lime juice.

5. Serve 1 chicken breast half with 1 cup couscous. Makes 4 servings.

6. To stretch this recipe even further, I cut the chicken into 1 inch pieces first, dredge them in the spices and then cook them. Remove the chicken from the pan as directed, make the couscous and then add the chicken back to the pan. My 19 month old likes his chicken spicy too and he eats it this way (all mixed together). I can get 8 servings out of it this way, which cuts all the nutritional information in half.

Number of Servings: 4

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user ORANGECOWCAT.