Maftoul (Hand-Rolled Couscous with Chicken and Chickpeas)
Local name: مفتول
In short: Large pearls of hand-rolled wheat couscous cooked in chicken broth with caramelized onion, chickpeas, caraway and allspice. It takes about 2 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 1 h 30 min
- Total
- 2 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 650 kcal
Maftoul is Palestinian couscous, made of bulgur rolled with flour into large, chewy pearls. In village kitchens it is cooked in a broth of chicken, onion and chickpeas scented with caraway, cinnamon and allspice. The pearls swell and absorb everything, and the dish lands somewhere between stew and pilaf. It is a family favorite on Fridays and a common Ramadan meal.
Instructions
- Put the chicken in a large pot with the halved onion, cinnamon, allspice, salt and water. Bring to a boil, skim, then simmer for 35 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is tender and reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Lift out the chicken and strain the broth. Keep about 1 liter (4 cups) of broth hot.
- Cook the sliced onions in the olive oil in a wide heavy pot over medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes until golden. Stir in the caraway, allspice, cinnamon and pepper for 1 minute.
- Add the chickpeas and the hot broth and bring to a boil. Stir in the maftoul, cover and simmer over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes, until the pearls are tender and have absorbed the liquid. Add a splash of hot broth if it dries out too soon.
- Meanwhile, brown the chicken pieces under a hot grill for 5 minutes, turning once.
- Spread the maftoul on a platter, set the chicken on top and scatter with parsley. Serve hot.
Tips
- Maftoul is sold in Middle Eastern shops. Large pearl couscous, also called moghrabieh, is the closest substitute, though it cooks a little faster.
- Add a handful of sliced zucchini or carrots in the last 10 minutes, a common house variation. Taste the broth before adding the maftoul, since the pearls soak up the salt.
Questions and answers
Is maftoul the same as couscous?
Not quite. Maftoul pearls are much larger and chewier than Moroccan couscous, and are cooked in broth like a stew rather than steamed.
Can I make maftoul ahead of time?
Yes. Reheat with a splash of broth or water, covered, until steaming. It keeps for 3 days in the fridge.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes. Use vegetable stock and add extra chickpeas and seasonal vegetables. Finish with plenty of olive oil.
How long does it take to make Maftoul (Hand-Rolled Couscous with Chicken and Chickpeas)?
About 2 h in total: 30 min of preparation and 1 h 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Maftoul (Hand-Rolled Couscous with Chicken and Chickpeas)?
About 650 kcal per serving, with 36 g of protein, 75 g of carbohydrates and 22 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 650 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 36 g |
| Carbohydrates | 75 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 8 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
