Chicken in Smashed Tomato Sauce
with Cheese and Pesto Couscous
- Cereals containing gluten
- Sulphites
- Milk
- Soya
- May contain traces of allergens
Looking for a quick and tasty midweek dinner option? Try cooking up our Chicken in Smashed Tomato Sauce in just 20 minutes for a delicious and speedy meal.
Ingredients
4
Garlic Clove
20
Chicken Stock Paste
110
Couscous
(Contains: Cereals containing gluten May be present: Soya)
260
Diced Chicken Thigh
125
Baby Plum Tomatoes
12
Balsamic Glaze
(Contains: Sulphites)
50
Fresh Pesto
(Contains: Milk)
50
Greek Style Salad Cheese
(Contains: Milk)
Not included in your delivery
10
Butter
220
Water for the Couscous
½
Sugar
75
Water for the Sauce
Nutrition Values
Utensils
Cooking Steps
a) Keep your butter (see pantry for amount) in the fridge.
b) Peel and grate the garlic (or use a garlic press).
c) Heat a drizzle of oil in a medium saucepan on medium-high heat.
a) Once the oil is hot, add half the garlic and cook for 30 secs.
b) Pour in the water for the couscous (see pantry for amount) and half the chicken stock paste and bring to the boil.
c) When boiling, remove from the heat, stir in the couscous and pop a lid on the pan.
d) Leave to the side for 8-10 mins or until ready to serve.
a) Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of oil in a large frying pan on medium-high heat.
b) Once hot, add the diced chicken and baby plum tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
c) Fry until the chicken is golden brown on the outside, 5-6 mins. IMPORTANT: Wash your hands and equipment after handling raw chicken and its packaging.
a) Stir the remaining garlic and balsamic glaze into the pan until combined.
b) Squish the tomatoes until they burst, then add the chicken stock paste, sugar and water for the sauce (see pantry for both amounts).
a) Bring the sauce to a simmer and reduce until slightly thickened, 3-4 mins. IMPORTANT: The chicken is cooked when no longer pink in the middle.
b) Once thickened, remove from the heat and vigorously stir in the cold butter.
c) Taste and season with salt and pepper.
a) Stir the pesto through the couscous and fluff up with a fork.
b) Share the pesto couscous between your bowls, then top with the chicken and smashed tomato sauce.
c) Crumble the Greek style salad cheese over the top to finish.
Enjoy!
Customer reviews
Review summary
Updated on Aug 2026- Flavour: The smashed tomato sauce and pesto couscous are widely praised, though some find the combination of pesto, garlic, and cheese a little overpowering. Adding tomato purée can help deepen the tomato flavour if the sauce tastes mild.
- Ease of prep: This is a quick, straightforward recipe with minimal chopping, making it a great option for busy weeknights. Several cooks new to couscous found it easy to prepare with confidence.
- Suggestions: Use less pesto in the couscous or drizzle it on top rather than stirring it all in, to keep the flavour balanced. Make sure to squash the tomatoes thoroughly so they break down fully into the sauce.
- Portions: Some found the portion on the smaller side, particularly the amount of sauce relative to the couscous. Adding a red pepper or extra vegetables is an easy way to bulk the dish out.
- Next-day meals: The pesto couscous works well as a standalone idea to revisit in other recipes, and at least one cook has already recreated the dish independently.
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