Chicken Meatballs with Mojo Sauce and Tomato Bacon Israel Couscous makes for a sizzling culinary adventure that will take your taste buds on a journey. These chicken meatballs are infused with a medley of spices, are perfectly complemented by a zesty mojo sauce and a side of tomato bacon Israel couscous. This is a delicious meal, that’s light for the summer, uses fresh and vibrant ingredients and is super easy to prepare. Whether you’re hosting a dinner or simply treating yourself to a special meal, these meatballs are sure to impress.

If you’re looking for a mouthwatering culinary adventure these sizzling chicken meatballs pack an explosion of flavours. In this tantalizing recipe, we bring you sizzling chicken meatballs infused with a medley of spices, accompanied by a zesty mojo sauce and side of tomato bacon Israel couscous. An irresistible combination that makes for a fantastic summer meal.  Zesty mojo sauce, and flavorful tomato bacon Israel Couscous, each element of this dish compliments the others perfectly, creating a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more.

Sometimes all you need is this vibrant pop of colour to really make the food standout and appealing. Whether that’s a green sauce or another colour, it sure does catch your eye and speaks a food lover’s language. This Mojo sauce is a tangy and zesty delight that is the star of this dish, bringing a burst of tangy and zesty flavors that elevate the chicken meatballs to a whole new level. Made with a blend of serrano chilies, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, orange juice, salt, pepper, cumin, oil and adding some creamy avocado to add more dimension and bring a level of creaminess into the sauce, it becomes transformed into this silky light to medium yellow green colour and adds a refreshing and vibrant kick to the dish. the combination of citrus juices, aromatic herbs, and a hint of heat from the chilies awaken your taste buds.

The chicken meatballs are a delightful fusion of spices and textures. Ground chicken is seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, chicken seasoning, salt, pepper, cumin, chipotle powder, paprika, crushed ritz crackers, and a splash of buttermilk, this combination of flavors creates a rich and savory profile that enhances the natural juiciness of the chicken. By searing the meatballs in a hot cast-iron skillet, it allows them to develop a beautiful golden crust, and then transferred onto a tray to continue to cook and finish off in the oven to ensure they cook through evenly.

I decided to pair this with a side of couscous to accompany the meatballs. A simple, yet elevated side to complete the dish and round it off with tomato and bacon to introduce more savory profiles and be a hearty element to the dish. The couscous is cooked in the same skillet used to sear the meatballs, allowing it to soak up the flavors of the rendered bacon fat. Grape tomatoes are added to the skillet, creating a burst of sweetness that balance the smoky and salty notes from the bacon. The result is a fluffy and flavorful couscous that pairs perfectly with the chicken meatballs and mojo sauce. I love taking a simple side like couscous, and introducing fresh herbs, vegetable and meats to take up a notch rather than boiling in water and serving once cooked through and fluffy. It may seem complex, but taking the time to transform something really does make the dish. Often the sides truly complete it.

And there you have it! Bringing it all together to serve this culinary masterpiece, arrange the meatballs on a plate and generously drizzle them with the mojo sauce or plate them overtop a generous amount of sauce. Place a portion of the tomato bacon couscous alongside the meatballs, allowing the flavors to mingle on the plate. For an extra touch of freshness and brightness, garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve with lime wedges on the side. I also served them with some pickled red onions and jalapenos I had prepared from a previous recipe. The combination of flavors and textures and visual appeal will make this dish a feast for all the senses. This fusion delight is a testament to the magic of combining diverse ingredients and techniques to create a harmonious an unforgettable dish. I hope you enjoy it.

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Chicken Meatballs with Mojo sauce and Tomato bacon Israeli Couscous

Tender chicken meatballs paired with a vibrant avocado mojo sauce and fresh tomato bacon Israeli Couscous is a super satisfying summer meal, made with fresh, seasonal ingredients, its light, zesty, and full of delicious flavors.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp chipotle powder
• 1 tbsp chicken bouillon seasoning
• kosher salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tbsp cumin powder
• 1/3 cup ritz crackers crushed
• 1/3 cup buttermilk or milk
• olive oil for cooking
• 4-6 slices bacon diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, loose halved
• 340g Israeli Couscous
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, plus more if needed
• 2 serrano chilies
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 bunch cilantro , small
• 1 lime juiced
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• kosher salt to season
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 avocado

serve

• cilantro
• pickled red onions
• thin jalapenos rounds

Instructions

• to make the meatballs, in a large bowl combine the ground chicken with the spices; garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chicken seasoning, salt, pepper, chipotle, crushed ritz and milk. Mix until everything is well incorporated. Splash a touch of oil into the palm of your hand and roll out the meatballs into 1-2inch balls and place on a large tray. Makes roughly 20.
• Mojo sauce: in a blender or food processor combine chilies, salt, pepper, cumin, lime juice, orange juice, garlic, cilantro, sugar and avocado. Blitz until combined. Chill until ready to serve.
• In a large cast iron skillet or oven proof dish, Heat over medium. Once hot, add cooking oil and sear the meatballs on all sides until golden and browned about 7 minutes. Transfer to the oven or onto a baking tray and cook at 325 degrees F for 18 minutes.
• In the same skillet, add the diced bacon. Cook until the bacon begins to render about 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes and continue to cook. Once the bacon is crispy, remove both from the pan and set aside. To the same pan, add the couscous and stir to toast and coat in the drippings for 3 minutes. One toasted, cover with chicken stock and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until fluffy about 8 minutes or according to package instructions. Fluff and return the bacon and tomatoes to the couscous, stirring to incorporate throughout. Season with salt and pepper if needed.
• The meatballs should be roughly ready at the same time. Pull those out of the oven and double check they are fully cooked.
• To serve: spread a generous amount of mojo sauce across the bottom of each plate, top with meatballs, and spoon the couscous alongside. Garnish as desired and enjoy.