Satay Chicken Rice Traybake with Tomatoes and Broccoli
A super easy chicken traybake which can be prepped in minutes and uses easy to access ingredients you probably have in cupboards already. It makes great leftovers and actually tastes better the next day. I always use chicken thighs in traybakes, they don’t dry out in the oven as easily as chicken breasts and they are much more flavoursome. They are cheaper too. Baking the thighs on top of the rice ensures that it soaks up all the delicious chicken juices as it cooks and coating it with a mixture of crunchy peanut butter, soy, honey, lime and ginger means it goes lovely and crispy in the oven and keeps is extra moist.
Mozarella, Basil and Sundried Tomato Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Parma Ham and Baked Olive Caper Orzo
A lovely comforting dish perfect for a Sunday night which the whole family will love. Stuffing the chicken with oozing mozzarella, basil leaves and sundried tomato ensures they are packed with flavour, while wrapping them in parma ham which becomes crispy as it bakes add a salty hit. Cooking the chicken on top of the orzo also means all the delicious chickeny juices soak into the pasta making it extra delicious. Sweet cherry tomatoes, zesty lemon, salty olives, capers and anchovies means the orzo really packs a flavour punch and with plenty of Parmesan, you just can’t really go wrong.
Creamy Mushroom, Parmesan and Kale Orzo with Panfried Chicken
This is a bowl of pure comfort food which I think we need with this truly awful “summer” weather we’ve been having. Juicy, slightly crispy chicken breast to top a creamy mushroom orzo pasta full of plenty of flavour thanks to parmesan, rich umami mushrooms, spinach, lemon juice and some creme fraiche. Easy to whip up in no time, minimal ingredients and delicious on its own without the chicken.
Paprika and Lemon Chicken with Smoky Hazelnut Romesco, Bulgur Kale, Charred Asparagus and Feta
This meal is on rotation for me at the moment. Marinading the chicken ahead in some paprika, garlic and lemon adds flavour and ensures it is super moist and tender. The smoky romesco sauce made using roasted red peppers and toasted hazelnuts is so moreish. More garlic, lemon, a splash of sherry vinegar and seasoning finishes it off so it’s both sweet, smoky and slightly sharp. Bulgur wheat cooked in chicken stock adds protein and with some steamed kale, some colour and extra goodness. I love any charred veg and asparagus works really well here. Some added parsley, feta and extra hazelnuts add texture, crunch and a wee salty hit.
Soy, Tahini and Ginger Chicken Salad
A great salad recipe which will leave you feeling satisfied and nourished from the inside. It works great for leftovers and actually tastes better after a night in the fridge (soggy salads are no no in my book). The tahini, soy, honey, lime and ginger dressing is so moreish in this recipe and by poaching the chicken breasts first in an aromatic broth of ginger, spring onions and chicken stocks, before finishing off in a frying pan, you get lovely soft and succulent pieces of chicken which don’t dry out.
Cajun Spiced Chicken with Sweet Potato Black Bean Salad, Avocado, Feta & Lime
Marinading, frying, then baking the chicken breasts keeps them lovely and juicy and moist and works every time. You can add whatever veggies you like to the salad but for me, some roasted sweet potato in a few spices, roughly chopped spinach leaves and extra coriander work a treat.
Greek Chicken Orzo Salad with Tzatziki
This has become one of my go-to meals when I get home from work. Perfect for a weeknight meal and great for leftover lunches the next day. The chicken breasts are marinaded in a simple marinade of oregano, lemon, garlic and olive oil while the orzo pasta salad has all the ingredients of a delicious fresh and zingy Greek salad - kalamata olives, crumbled feta, parsley, mint, lemon, balsamic, chopped red pepper and tomatoes and some cucumber. Finished with a little sumac and red pepper flakes for some heat, topped with creamy cooking tzatziki, this is a tasty and healthy bowl of goodness.
Butternut Squash Chicken Korma with Stir Fried Green Beans
A healthy and tasty chicken korma for a Sunday night. The butternut squash adds a lovely sweetness to the sauce and soaks up the spices really well. Adding the chicken to the simmering sauce towards the end means it doesn’t dry out and stays soft and tender. Some ground almonds gives a nutty creaminess which you want from a korma and some crunchy stir fried beans with garlic, shallots, nigella seeds and toasted almonds gives colour and texture. Some flatbreads, naan, chapatis or fluffy rice are the perfect sides.
Greek Chicken Burger Bowls with Sundried Tomato Yoghurt, Lime Feta Sweet Potatoes and Tomato Olive Salad
These greek chicken burgers have all the flavours of a chicken souvlaki but in healthier form. The chicken burgers are made with plenty of fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, oregano, cumin and paprika and the baked sweet potatoes with a hit of lime and salty feta are so moreish. You could of course have them with pitta breads or in a burger bun, but little gem lettuce leaves are another alternative for some crunch and texture. Healthy, filling and super tasty.
Garlic, Lemon and Anchovy Spatchcock Chicken with Pea Shoot Sauce and Rosemary Parmesan Potatoes
Roast chicken is up there with one of my ultimate comfort food meals. But sometimes it’s nice to have a lighter version. This recipe is full of freshness and in season ingredients. With a simple lemon, garlic, anchovy and herb marinade, and some roasted fennel and shallots, you get lovely chicken juices to drizzle over the top once it’s ready. A zingy green sauce made with pea shoots, capers, lemon and plenty of fresh herbs it brings everything to life. I tried out a slightly different recipe to my usual goose fat roasties by adding a rosemary parmesan salt during the last five minutes of roasting which I am always going to do from now on. Some simple stir fried greens on the side completes this summer roast feast.
Smoky & Spicy Chicken Sweet Potato Traybake with Feta and Chimichurri Dressing
This is a staple midweek meal for us. You can buy all the ingredients on your way home, it’s quick, easy and completely delicious. Smoky, spicy chicken thighs are roasted in a mixture of spices before adding sweet potatoes, peppers and tenderstem broccoli for sweetness, colour and texture. A fresh and herbaceous chimichurri adds a citrus zing while salty, creamy feta finishes everything off. You can use thighs with or without the bone if you’re short on time, but the bone does help them stay lovely and moist and tender. Plus, its all roasted in the same tray so washing up is minimal - ideal.
Harissa Baked Chicken with Fridge Raid Bulgur Wheat Salad and Spiced Houmous
This recipe is quick, fresh and healthy and is also an ideal way to clear out your fridge of any veggies you might have lying around. It also just happens to be super tasty and has one of my favourite ingredients of all time - rose harissa. It’s very straightforward and you can put whatever you want in the bulgur wheat salad. This is my favourite way to cook chicken breasts. It’s all in the marination, leaving them at room temperature for at least 30 mins before frying, frying over a medium/low heat to develop a gentle crust and then baking at a lowish temperature so it stays nice and moist.
Chicken and Chorizo Filo Pie with Parmesan Sun-dried Tomato Mash and Green Beans with Shallots, Olives and Almonds
This recipe is one of my absolute favourites and with a few simple twists elevates your traditional chicken pie to the next level. The filo topping adds texture and crunch which works so well with the creamy filling with mustard, leeks and a slight smoky heat from sliced chorizo. Served with moreish sun-dried tomato parmesan mash which has a lovely salty tang from the cheese and some sautéed green beans with caramelised shallots, olives and almonds - the sides really make this dish. This is a special meal which everyone will love.
Soy, Ginger & Honey Marmalade Chicken with Stir-Fried Rice and Sesame Broccoli
This soy orange marmalade baked chicken dish is so quick, easy to make and deliciously moreish. It uses ingredients which you can easily buy on your way home and it makes great leftover lunches for the next day. This will become a staple in your house.
Dukkah Chicken with Harissa, Chickpea and Spiced Tomato Bulgur with a Lemon Tahini Yoghurt
This recipe has some of my most favourite things. Dukkah, tahini, rose harissa, pine nuts all come together in this delicious and healthy chicken salad which is perfect for leftovers or for a hearty dinner. Roasting the chickpeas with the tomatoes on the vine and a mixture of whole and ground slices adds so much flavour to the bulgur wheat. The rose harissa adds a subtle heat which doesn’t overpower the chicken and the tahini yoghurt is cooling and nutty with the flavour of sesame.
Indian Roast Chicken with Dal Makhani and Jammy Tomatoes
I haven’t posted a Sunday roast dinner recipe for a while and thought it was time to share a slightly different take on the traditional roast. The marinade on this chicken keeps it so lovely and moist, while the dal is just delicious, full of depth and flavour. This is the type of dish I could just eat and eat and eat. The tomatoes roasted with lemon, garlic and spices adds a burst of sweetness, while naan breads full to the brim of cardamom, spiced coconut and raisins are perfect to mop everything up.
Spiced Poppadom Crusted Chicken Wraps with Raita, Pickled Red Onions and Mango Salsa
I wanted to come up with a chicken wrap recipe which had all the flavours of a curry but had crunchy chicken breasts as it’s centrepiece. The chicken was so moreish - crunchy, slightly spicy and lovely and moist inside. With punchy mango salsa, cooling raita, sharp pickled onions, sweet chutney and fresh lettuce, these wraps are full of texture and flavour. They are also perfect for leftovers the next day (that’s if there will be any left). This would make a great Friday/Saturday night meal.
Ultimate Chicken Biryani
This chicken biryani has got everything you want - fluffy rice which absorbs the fragrant and aromatic sauce, tender, moist chicken thighs, sweet caramelised onions and a luxurious saffron milk to finish everything off. This is full of flavour and texture and the whole thing is just a hug in a bowl. Plus at £2.01 a portion it’s an affordable, filling dish the whole family will love.
Roast Chicken Orzo with Fennel, Lemon and Parmesan
This is a true one pot dish which makes one chicken go a long way. Roasting the chicken on top of the orzo and vegetables allows all the chicken juices to be absorbed by the pasta grains, making them extra delicious. It’s a great way to enjoy a roast but without the many pots and pans and often hefty price tag. Healthy and so comforting at this time of year, this will become a regular recipe in your household I’m sure.
Sichuan Chicken Stir Fry with Cashews and Peppers
This is a quick and easy recipe which is perfect for when you’re short on time. It’s also a great fakeaway meal for when those takeaway cravings come calling. Cheaper, healthier and I think tastier than your average takeaway stir fry, I hope this becomes a staple recipe for you as it has for me.