Moroccan Chicken and Date Tagine

Ingredients

• red onion
• lemon
• dates
• boneless skinless chicken breasts
• olive oil
• pine nuts
• salt and pepper
• harissa
• chicken stock
• couscous
• butter
• coriander

Preparation

1. 1cut the dates in half , discard the stone and then chop into six pieces
2. 2slice the chicken into short strips
3. 3heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan and stir in the onion
4. 4cook until slippery and soft , then add in the pine kernels and lemon zest , salt and pepper
5. 5turn down the heat and cook for about five minutes , before adding in the chicken
6. 6cook until the meat is lightly browned
7. 7squeeze the juice from half the lemon over the top , stir in the harissa , stock and dates
8. 8simmer for 10-15 minutes , stirring occasionally , until the water is reduced by half
9. 9you should end up with a thick , rusty coloured sauce
10. 10meanwhile , prepare the couscous by placing it in a bowl and adding 300ml boiling water , remaining olive oil and salt
11. 11cover and leave for 15 minutes , then use a fork to loosen the grains and mix in the butter
12. 12serve the chicken mixture over the couscous , garnished with some chopped coriander and a lemon wedge