Chicken cranberry salad

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What a week

It has been a busy week. With the world going insane we had to cancel our holiday plans and opt for a staycation in Auckland. Basically, that meant we hadn’t done any food shopping so our meal options were somewhat limited. I had no intention of going near a supermarket and dealing with the insane humans buying toilet paper. A quick raid of the fridge, I discovered some sour cream that was on its way out, so I wanted to come up with a way to use it up. Some pre-cooked chicken out of the freezer and we were in business.

Chicken cranberry salad

Salad with dressing

Over the last year, there has been a shift in how the family feel about salads. I now have a list of five salads that everyone is on board with eating. The common feature of the salads that everyone likes is a creaming dressing or sauce. With creamy dressings seem to be the ones that are most loved around here so this salad is a winner. The simple combination of mayo, sour cream and lemon juice give the rest of the salad a nice coating without overpowering the other favours.

Chicken cranberry salad recipe

Chicken cranberry salad ingredients
Chicken cranberry salad ingredients

Ingredients

  • 1/2  cup  easy mayo
  • 1/4  cup  sour cream
  • 1  tsp.  lemon juice
  • 1  tbsp.  parsley
  • 3  cups chicken, cooked and chopped
  • 1/4  cup  celery, finely chopped
  • 1/4  cup  apple, finely chopped
  • 1/3  cup  dried cranberries
  • 1/3  cup  sunflower seeds, toasted
  • Salt and pepper to taste
In a large bowl add the easy mayo
Sour cream
Lemon juice
Parsley
Whisk together
Add the chicken, apple and celery.
Mix well
Add the cranberries and sunflower seeds
Mix well
Serve chilled on a bed of lettuce

Chicken cranberry salad

  • Servings: 6
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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It has been a busy week and still far too warm to be spending hours in the kitchen making meals. I had some sour cream in the fridge that was on its way out so I wanted to come up with a way to use it up.'


Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup easy mayo
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp. lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp. parsley
  • 3 cups chicken, cooked and chopped
  • 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup apple, finely chopped
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup sunflower seeds, toasted
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk the mayo, sour cream, lemon juice and parsley.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and stir until combined.
  3. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Serve chilled on a bed of lettuce.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 299 calories; 24 g fat; 10 g carbohydrates; 19 g protein.

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Lemon chicken burgers

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New freezer favourite

In the last half of 2019, we had a hectic time, the only night on the workweek we had a home with no classes or chores to do. The mass amount of activity and varied nutritional needs meant I needed to get creative to keep everyone happy. I made a few staples to have in the freezer that could be taken out in the morning or thawed in the afternoon to prepare for a quick and healthy meal. These burgers have been one of the firm favourites for weeknight dinners after Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and they are also a firm favourite on the weekends. The kids like to have them as a burger with a bun, I love them with a lettuce bun or chopped up in a burger salad.

Lemon chicken burger in a lettuce bun.
Lemon chicken burgers

A moment of pride

When I was working on the recipe for these burgers, it was a weekend, and I was playing around to try to make the raw mixture smell right. As I was there playing in the kitchen getting ready to fry up the first burger when the youngest member of the clan arrived home from a birthday party. He arrived home clutching a bag from MacDonald’s with the chicken nuggets and chips he got from the party but couldn’t eat. As is the way he stood in the kitchen nattering to us about the movie he saw, what he did, what his friends said and what he said. When Liam took a breath, I managed to ask if he wanted any dinner with us. He said he wasn’t hungry when he was. He would eat the nuggets and chips when he was. Not long after I was building lettuce bun burgers for Jaime and myself when Jaime pops into the kitchen asking if I could make another burger for Liam. Apparently, he liked the smell of the burgers; they smelled a lot better than his chicken nuggets. The bag from MacDonald’s was put to one side while he demolished a homemade chicken burger. I was so proud. 

Sadly the chicken nuggets were eaten for lunch the next day along with the chips, but I still hold on to the fact that when offered, he picked my burger over MacDonald’s.

Lemon chicken burgers

Lemon chicken burger ingredients

Ingredients 

  • 500g chicken mince
  • 2 spring onions, finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced and zested
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
Add the chicken mince to a large bowl.
Add the chicken mince to a large bowl.
Add the egg, garlic and cheese to the mince.
Add the egg, garlic and cheese to the mince.
Add the spring onions and lemon to the bowl.
Add the spring onions and lemon to the bowl.
Mix the ingredients together with your hands.
Mix the ingredients together with your hands.
Well mixed burger mix.
Well mixed burger mix.
Use a measuring cup to portion out the burgers.
Use a measuring cup to portion out the burgers.
Shape the meat into burger patties.
Shape the meat into burger patties.
Cook the burgers over a medium heat.
Cook the burgers over a medium heat.
Serve in a lettuce bun.
Serve in a lettuce bun.
With cheese and caramelised onions.
With cheese and caramelised onions.
Lemon burger in a lettuce bun.
Enjoy!

Lemon chicken burgers

  • Servings: 8
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

Not long ago if I had suggested we have a salad for dinner, that suggestion would have been met with grumbles, groans and complaints. Thankfully that is no longer the case. The first time I made this salad for dinner, I did get the grumbles and groans, then the kids tried some.


Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 500g chicken mince
  • 2 spring onions, finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced and zested
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Directions

  1. In a large bowl mix together all the ingredients.
  2. Use your hands to get an even mix.
  3. Divide the mix into six portions and shape into burgers try the burgers over medium heat for 6 minutes on each side.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 189 calories; 11 g fat; 2 g carbohydrates; 14 g protein.

Equipment

  • Chopping board
  • Knife
  • Zester
  • Fork
  • Frying pan
  • Spatula
  • Mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Scales

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Taco style salad

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Things are changing

Not long ago if I had suggested we have a salad for dinner, that suggestion would have been met with grumbles, groans and complaints. Thankfully that is no longer the case. The first time I made this salad for dinner, I did get the grumbles and groans, then the kids tried some. The next week when I asked the question ‘what do we want for dinner?’ I got two requests for ‘that salad we had last week’. That has been the greatest endorsement of a recipe if you ask me. It is a sign that things are changing on the food front in our house.

Taco style salad

More spicy flavours

This salad is a little bit Mexican in flavour; I wanted something that was basically a taco in a bowl. We eat a lot of tacos so I wanted something that would be taco in flavour but without the tortilla wraps. This salad delivers on the flavour of tacos, but with a tasty and creamy dressing that brings everything together. It is easy to make, and the recipe is enough to feed a hungry family and still leave you with some leftovers.

Taco style salad

Taco style salad ingredients

Ingredients 

  • 6 cups cos lettuce, chopped
  • 6 cups chicken, cooked and cubed 
  • 1 can corn
  • 1 can black beans
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, diced
  • 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 cup tortilla chips, crushed 
  • 1 handful fresh coriander, chopped
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 3 tbsp. avocado oil 
  • 2 tsp. honey
  • 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp. garlic, minced 
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1/2 jalapeño, finely diced
  • 2 tsp. taco seasoning 
Take the ingredients for the dressing
Add the ingredients to a bowl.
Add the ingredients to a bowl.
Add the jalapenos and whisk.
Take a large bowl.
Add the lettuce and chicken to the bowl.
Add the corn and beans.
Add the tomatoes and avocado.
Add the red onion.
Mix well.
Add the dressing.
Mix well.
Add the crushed corn chips
Serve

Taco style salad

  • Servings: 10
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

Not long ago if I had suggested we have a salad for dinner, that suggestion would have been met with grumbles, groans and complaints. Thankfully that is no longer the case. The first time I made this salad for dinner, I did get the grumbles and groans, then the kids tried some.


Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 6 cups cos lettuce, chopped
  • 6 cups chicken, cooked and cubed
  • 1 can corn
  • 1 can black beans
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, diced
  • 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 cup tortilla chips, crushed
  • 1 handful fresh coriander, chopped
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 3 tbsp. avocado oil
  • 2 tsp. honey
  • 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp. garlic, minced
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1/2 jalapeño, finely diced
  • 2 tsp. taco seasoning

Directions

  1. In a large bowl mix together the lettuce, corn, beans, tomatoes, avocado, onion and cheese.
  2. Set the bowl to one side.
  3. In another bowl whisk together the yoghurt, oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic, lime juice, jalapeno and taco seasoning.
  4. When you are ready to serve the salad, add the dressing to the bowl with the salad.
  5. Toss the salad to coat everything with the dressing.
  6. To serve top with the crushed chips and coriander.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 287 calories; 12 g fat; 18 g carbohydrates; 26 g protein.

Equipment

  • Chopping board
  • Knife
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Spoon
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Scales

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Curry chicken wraps

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Family favourite

‘Who wants lettuce wraps for dinner?’ is a question I have asked on many an occasion, there have never been any occasions I can think of when the answer from the family is ‘me please’. 

Not long ago, I was working on this recipe. I mixed up a batch of the curried chicken ready for the wraps when a not so little head popped around my elbow and asked ‘what’s that? It smells nice’. One taste test later and I have an extra person ready to eat curried chicken wraps for dinner. Before the end of the day, I had three people on board for eating them again. The next weekend when I asked the question ‘what do we want for dinner?’ I got two requests for ‘that salad we had last week’. That has been the greatest endorsement of a recipe if you ask me.

Curried chicken wraps

Big portions

This recipe is big on flavour and portions. This recipe can feed eight people comfortably; if you have small eaters, you can probably get even more portions out of it. The curried chicken has a creamy coating with a satisfying amount of crunch from the carrots and celery. The mass amount of protein in this recipe may seem a bit much at first glance. I can assure you it isn’t really. The big portion of protein is there to help you feel fuller faster. 

Let the flavours mingle

Whenever I make a batch of the curried chicken for the wraps I like to make it in advance and allow it to sit in the fridge for at least three hours; this lets the flavours hang out and mingle. The mix doesn’t need to be made in advance, but it does make a difference to the taste. If you have fussy eaters that aren’t big fans of spice you can leave out the chilli flakes and use mild curry powder.  

Curried chicken wraps

Curried chicken wraps ingredients

Ingredients

  • 800g chicken breast, cooked 
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, grated
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 tbsp. curry powder
  • 3/4 cup easy mayo
  • 2 tbsp. honey
  • 2 tbsp. lime juice
  • 2 spring onions, chopped
  • 2 tsp. chilli flakes
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 cos lettuce
In a bowl add the honey, lime juice, curry powder, chilli powder, salt and pepper.
Add the mayo.
Whisk everything together.
Add the celery, onion, spring onions and carrots to a large bowl.
Add the cooked chicken to the bowl.
Mix well.
Add the curry sauce to the chicken and vegetables.
Mix well.

Curried chicken wraps

  • Servings: 8
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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Not long ago, I was working on this recipe. I mixed up a batch of the curried chicken ready for the wraps when a not so little head popped around my elbow and asked 'What's that? It smells nice'


Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 800g chicken breast, cooked
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, grated
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 tbsp. Curry powder
  • 3/4 cup easy mayo
  • 2 tbsp. Honey
  • 2 tbsp. Lime juice
  • 2 spring onions, chopped
  • 2 tsp. Chilli flakes
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 cos lettuce

Directions

  1. In a large mixing bowl combine the chicken, onion, carrots, spring onions and celery.
  2. In another bowl whisk together the mayo, honey, lime juice, curry powder, chilli flakes, salt and pepper.
  3. Add the sauce to the bowl with the chicken and vegetables and mix well.
  4. Wash each of the cos lettuces and take off the leaves and drain them.
  5. Plate up the leaves and then add the chicken mixture into the centre each leaf.
  6. Serve.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 208 calories; 9 g fat; 12 g carbohydrates; 22 g protein.

Equipment 

  • Knife 
  • Chopping board 
  • Mixing bowl x2 
  • Fork 
  • Spoon
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Scales

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Chicken, bacon and mushroom pie

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Who ate all the pies? 

Jaime. It was Jaime that ate all the pies. 

Not that he looks like someone that eats all the pies (or the chocolate bars but that is a different story). I don’t know where his love of pies comes from, it could be an English thing. I always hated pies, I remember the ones you could get from a bakery. They would sit all day in the heated food cabinet alongside sausage rolls. They never smelled nice, they had lots of crust and usually had more gravy than meat in them. I should let you know as a general rule I don’t trust foods you can’t see the inside of. 

I only started to like pie when I began to make my own, I can see inside my pies and know what they are made of. 

Bacon makes everything better 

Chicken and mushroom pie has been a thing for a long time and seems to be a firm favourite with pie lovers. As many of you know by now I can’t leave traditional recipes alone, The need to tinker and try to make them better. In this case, that means adding bacon. I believe that bacon has a significant role in the betterment of the human race. It will one day bring about world peace and the pig will be a holy animal around the world. 

Chicken, bacon and mushroom pie with a parmesan crust
Chicken, bacon and mushroom pie with a parmesan crust

Comes back from the land of exaggeration 

The pairing of chicken and mushrooms with bacon seemed natural to me. The salty goodness with the rich earthy flavour of the mushrooms with the heart warming taste of chicken seemed like a no-brainer. 

Grain-free inside and out 

As with all thing I try to create making pies as ‘clean’ as possible was essential to me. The creation of a gravy that didn’t use wheat flour was not really a challenge, I made the easy swap to tapioca flour, bingo, grain-free gravy. Finding a way to make a pastry that was grain free but still like traditional pastry was far more of a challenge. I think I landed on a recipe that delivered a crisp on the outside, soft on the inside combination. It didn’t get soggy in the presence of gravy or fall apart on the plate.

Chicken, bacon and mushroom pie recipe

Chicken, bacon and mushroom pie ingredients
Chicken, bacon and mushroom pie ingredients

Ingredients

  • 3 rashers Bacon
  • 1 tsp. garlic oil
  • 125g Mushrooms sliced
  • 250g Chicken cubed
  • 25g tapioca flour 
  • 1/2 tsp. Thyme
  • 1 tbsp. butter
  • 300ml chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp. Masala
  • Pastry
Fry off the bacon.
Fry off the bacon.
Add the mushrooms to the bacon
Add the mushrooms to the bacon
Continue cooking
Continue cooking
Making the gravy
Nice chunks of chicken
Nice chunks of chicken

Chicken bacon and mushroom pie

  • Servings: 6
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

Thick and rich gravy with chunks os chicken and tasty bacon, what more could you want from a pie



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 3 rashers Bacon
  • 1 tsp. garlic oil
  • 125g Mushrooms sliced
  • 250g Chicken cubed
  • 25g tapioca flour
  • 1/2 tsp. Thyme
  • 1 tbsp. butter
  • 300ml chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp. Masala
  • Pastry

Directions

  1. Over a medium heat fry off the bacon until it starts to colour.
  2. Fry off the bacon.
  3. Add the mushrooms to the pan with the bacon and continue to cook until the mushrooms have softened.
  4. Add the mushrooms to the bacon
  5. Transfer the bacon and mushrooms to a bowl and set to one side.
  6. In a bowl mix together the flour; masala and thyme then coat the chicken in the flour.
  7. Melt butter over a medium heat.
  8. Fry off the chicken in the butter.
  9. When the chicken is browned off add in the chicken stock and simmer until the stock has thickened.
  10. Wait for the gravy to thicken
  11. Mix in the bacon and mushrooms.
  12. Put filling into a bowl and cover with pastry.
  13. Bake for 20-30 minutes at 180 degrees C/ 350 degrees F.
  14. Serve hot with some green vegetables.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 160 calories; 9.4 g fat; 5.8 g carbohydrates; 11.8 g protein

Equipment 

  • Knife 
  • Chopping board 
  • Frying pan 
  • Wooden spoon 
  • Oven-safe bowl 
  • Measuring spoons
  • Scales
  • Measuring jug

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

White chilli

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Simple meals don’t have to be boring  

I have been on a mission to make simple and tasty meals. I aim to create recipes that can be prepared and cooked quickly on a busy weeknight. We all struggle to make healthy and delicious meals while keeping on top of everything else in life. So, this recipe is designed to be healthy, delicious and easy to make. You can cook this meal in a single pan. The preparation takes no more than 20 minutes and is portioned to feed four adults.  

Fun fact time

We eat a lot of chilli, that isn’t an exaggeration, we have chilli almost every day. It might sound repetitive, but it works for us. Red chilli is a great freezer option that we have spent more of the year eating chilli for lunch and easy weeknight meals. Every now and then it is nice to have something a little bit different.

Bean free zone

I know that chilli is supposed to have beans in it, but they really don’t agree with me, so our chilli never has them in. This white chilli is made with juicy chunks of chicken and a creamy broth. The blend of spice and creamy sauce is an excellent alternative to the traditional red chilli.

White chicken chilli recipe

White chicken chilli ingredients
White chicken chilli ingredients

Ingredients

  • 700g chicken
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 250g jalapenos
  • 1 green pepper, diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 tbsp. butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 400g cream cheese
  • 2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. oregano
  • 1 tsp. cayenne
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Take a large stock pot.
Take a large stock pot.
Season the chicken.
Season the chicken.
Sear the chicken.
Sear the chicken.
Sear both sides of the chicken.
Sear both sides of the chicken.
Add the chicken broth.
Add the chicken broth.
Bring the broth to a simmer.
Bring the broth to a simmer.
Cover the pot and let the chicken cook for 20 minutes.
Cover the pot and let the chicken cook for 20 minutes.
Melt the butter in a skillet.
Melt the butter in a skillet.
Add the peppers.
Add the peppers.
Add the chilli.
Add the chilli.
Add the onions.
Add the onions.
Cook the vegetables until they are softened.
Cook the vegetables until they are softened.
Add the garlic.
Add the garlic.
When the chicken is cooked shred it with a fork.
When the chicken is cooked shred it with a fork.
Add the vegetables to the stock pot.
Add the vegetables to the stock pot.
Mix in the cream.
Mix in the cream.
Mix in the softened cream cheese.
Mix in the softened cream cheese.
Stir quickly.
Stir quickly.
Simmer for another 15 minutes before serving.
Simmer for another 15 minutes before serving.

White chicken chilli

  • Servings: 6
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print


Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 700g chicken
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 250g jalapeños
  • 1 green pepper, diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 tbsp. butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 400g cream cheese
  • 2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. oregano
  • 1 tsp. cayenne
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Season the chicken with ground cumin, oregano, cayenne, salt and pepper.
  2. In a large stockpot sear both sides the chicken over a medium heat.
  3. When both sides of the chicken are golden brown, add the chicken broth to the pot.
  4. Bring the broth up to simmer.
  5. Put a lid on the pot.
  6. Cook for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
  7. While chicken is cooking, melt butter in a medium skillet.
  8. Add chillies, diced jalapeno, green pepper and onion to skillet and sauté until veggies soften.
  9. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds and turn off the heat, set aside.
  10. Once the chicken is fully cooked, shred with a fork and add back into the broth.
  11. Add sautéed veggies to pot with the chicken and the broth and simmer for 10 minutes.
  12. In a medium bowl, soften cream cheese in microwave until you can stir it in.
  13. Mix the cream cheese with heavy whipping cream.
  14. Stirring quickly, add the mixture into the pot with chicken and veggies.
  15. Simmer for an additional 15 minutes.
  16. Serve with favourite toppings such as cheese, avocado slices, fresh coriander, sour cream.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 437 calories; 19 g fat; 10 g carbohydrates; 29 g protein

Equipment

  • Stockpot
  • Tongs
  • Wooden spoon
  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Skillet
  • Bowl
  • Fork 
  • Scales
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

One tray chicken fajitas

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Simple meals don’t have to be boring  

I have been on a mission to make simple and tasty meals. I aim to create recipes that can be prepared and cooked quickly on a busy weeknight. We all struggle to make healthy and delicious meals while keeping on top of everything else in life. So this recipe is designed to be healthy, delicious and easy to make. You can cook this meal on a single tray in the oven. The preparation takes no more than 20 minutes and is portioned to feed four adults. 

Eating the rainbowChicken fajita

When we are in the mood for Mexican food, this is my go-to recipe. Spending hours in the kitchen after work is never ideal; this recipe takes a few minutes to prepare and cooks quickly. For me, the best part is the ability to eat the rainbow; the mix of peppers always looks fantastic. I’m always happy when I can find a way to get a big portion of veggies with dinner.

One tray chicken fajitas recipe

Chicken fajita ingredients
Chicken fajita ingredients

Ingredients

  • 700g chicken breast, sliced
  • 1 yellow pepper, sliced
  • 1 red pepper, sliced
  • 1 orange bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 red onion, sliced
  • 1 1/2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 3 tbsp. fajita seasoning
  • Corn tortillas, warmed

Equipment

  • Baking tray
  • Baking paper or a silicone liner
  • Large bowl
  • Tongs
  • Scales
  • Measuring spoons

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area

One tray roast chicken dinner

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Simple meals don’t have to be boring  

I have been on a mission to make simple and tasty meals. I aim to create recipes that can be prepared and cooked quickly on a busy weeknight. We all struggle to make healthy and delicious meals while keeping on top of everything else in life. So this recipe is designed to be healthy, delicious and easy to make. You can cook this meal on a single tray in the oven. The preparation takes no more than 20 minutes and is portioned to feed four adults.  

Must be an English thing

Roast dinners are probably one of the most requested meals from the family. I do love a good roast dinner but feel that the return on investment is crap. For a traditional roast dinner, I spend an average of 2 hours in the kitchen, preparing veggies, roasting and basting meat, mashing potatoes and making gravy. This considerable effort results in a meal that is an impressive spread that is completely gone in less than 20 minutes. Everyone is full and happy, but I have lots of dishes to do. 

Simple but still a roast

For me, the ideal roast dinner is one that can be put together in under 20 minutes and doesn’t leave me with enough pots and pans the fill the dishwasher twice. This recipe is the perfect solution. One dish, chicken, broken down into small pieces which will cook quickly, vegetables that won’t go mushy and flavours that work well together. If you want a roast dinner that doesn’t take a lifetime and still keeps the family happy give this recipe a go. 

One tray roast chicken dinner recipe 

One tray roast chicken ingredients
One tray roast chicken ingredients

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken drumsticks 
  • 4 chicken thighs 
  • 3 sweet potatoes, cubed 
  • 2 courgettes, chopped 
  • 1/2 red onion, sliced 
  • 1 tsp. salt 
  • 1 tsp. pepper, 
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder, 
  • 1 tsp. dried rosemary, 
  • 1 tsp. ginger powder, 
  • 1 tsp. sweet paprika, 
  • 1 tsp. Chicken stock powder 
  • 1/4 tsp. chilli flakes 
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil 
One tray roast chicken fresh from the oven
One tray roast chicken fresh from the oven
Ready for plating
Ready for plating
Eat up
Eat up

One tray roast chicken dinner

  • Servings: 4
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

This one tray meal is easy to make and an excellent options for a weeknight meal



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken drumsticks 
  • 4 chicken thighs 
  • 3 sweet potatoes, cubed 
  • 2 courgettes, chopped 
  • 1/2 red onion, sliced 
  • 1 tsp. salt 
  • 1 tsp. pepper, 
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder, 
  • 1 tsp. dried rosemary, 
  • 1 tsp. ginger powder, 
  • 1 tsp. sweet paprika, 
  • 1 tsp. Chicken stock powder 
  • 1/4 tsp. chilli flakes 
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil 

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees c 350 degrees f. 
  2. In a bowl mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, rosemary, ginger, paprika, chicken stock powder, chilli flakes and ground cinnamon to make a spice mix. 
  3. In a baking dish place the chicken thighs skin side up in the corners and sprinkle with some of the spice mix. 
  4. Add the chicken drumsticks to the dish around the thighs and sprinkle with some more spice mix. 
  5. In a bowl mix together the vegetables with the remaining spice mix and the olive oil. 
  6. Spread the vegetables over the top of the chicken in the baking dish. 
  7. Roast in the oven for 45 to 50 minutes, the chicken should be cooked through. 
  8. Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 473 calories; 26 g fat; 30 g carbohydrates; 30 g protein

Equipment 

  • Baking dish 
  • Small bowl 
  • Large bowl 
  • Fork 
  • Spoon 
  • Measuring spoons
  • Knife
  • Chopping board

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Lemon marinade

Leave a comment

Simple meals don’t have to be boring

I have been on a mission this year to make simple but tasty meals. The aim was to create recipes that can be prepared and cooked quickly on a busy weeknight.

We all struggle to make healthy and tasty meals while keeping on top of everything else in life. 

This recipe is healthy, delicious and easy to make recipes that you can cook on a single tray in the oven. The preparation takes no more than 20 minutes, that is all of the slicing, dicing and mixing. 

Each meal is portioned to feed four adults. 

Marinade makes it better

This is my go-to marinade for chicken at the minute. To free up some time on the weekends I have been bulk buying meat, preparing and then freezing the meat. Chicken has been the primary meat over the last few weeks, but it can get boring quickly. Enter this amazing marinade. When we can’t face boring plain chicken any more, I pull the chicken out to defrost before we go to bed. Next morning, I put the chicken in the marinade and let it hang out in fridge for the day. After our workouts I cook the chicken and stick it with some veggies. 

Dinner sorted.

Lemon marinade recipe

Ingredients

Lemon marinade ingredients.
Lemon marinade ingredients.
  • 250ml plain yoghurt
  • 2 garlic cloves 
  • 1 tsp. chilli powder
  • 1 tbsp. ground coriander
  • juice and zest 1 lemon
Add the yoghurt, chilli powder and ground coriander to a bowl.
Add the yoghurt, chilli powder and ground coriander to a bowl.
Add the garlic, lemon zest and juice to the bowl and mix well.
Add the garlic, lemon zest and juice to the bowl and mix well.
Lemon marinade mixed and ready to use.
Lemon marinade mixed and ready to use.
Chicken coated in marinade.
Chicken coated in marinade.
Marinaded chicken straight from the oven.
Marinaded chicken straight from the oven.

Lemon Marinade

  • Servings: 1
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

A fresh and zesty marinade that is a great way to make your chicken tasty and juicy



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 250ml plain yoghurt
  • 2 garlic cloves 
  • 1 tsp. chilli powder
  • 1 tbsp. ground coriander
  • juice and zest 1 lemon

Directions

  1. Instructions
  2. Finely mince the two garlic cloves, mix in a bowl with yoghurt, chilli powder, coriander and lemon juice and zest.
  3. If marinating overnight you can add chicken and marinade to a zip lock bag and put it in the fridge if you are going to cook your chicken in a few hours just add the chicken to the bowl, cover the bowl and put it in the fridge.
  4. When you are ready to cook the chicken, remove any excess marinade, and cook
  5. The meat should remain very succulent because of the yoghurt.
  6. Cook the meat however you like.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 205 calories; 0 g fat; 24 g carbohydrates; 17 g protein

Equipment

  • Knife 
  • Chopping board
  • Mixing bowl
  • Zip lock bag
  • Measuring cup
  • Measuring spoons
  • Zester

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Tom Kha Kai

Leave a comment

Simple meals don’t have to be boring

I have been on a mission this year to make simple but tasty meals. The aim was to create recipes that can be prepared and cooked quickly on a busy weeknight.

We all struggle to make healthy and tasty meals while keeping on top of everything else in life. 

This recipe is healthy, delicious and easy to make recipes that you can cook on a single tray in the oven. The preparation takes no more than 20 minutes, that is all of the slicing, dicing and mixing. 

Each meal is portioned to feed four adults. 

Tom Kha Kai or Tom Kha Gai 

This classic soup has quintessential Thai ingredients. This chicken and coconut soup is rich and flavourful. There are many variations to the soup, but a few constants, coconut milk, lemongrass, chillies and ginger are usually the base of the soup. A little fish sauce, mushrooms, coriander and kaffir lime leaves can be added for a bit more depth and flavour. I’ve put together this recipe as a basic and easy base that you can add to depending on what you have in the pantry. 

Tom Kha Kai recipe

Ingredients

Tom Kha Kai ingredients - chicken breast, coconut milk, ginger powder, spring onions, Serrano chillies, lemongrass and lime juice.
Tom Kha Kai ingredients
  • 4 chicken breasts, cubed 
  • 2 cups coconut milk 
  • 1 tsp. ginger powder
  • 2 spring onions, chopped
  • 2 serrano chillies, chopped
  • 2 tsp. lemongrass 
  • 1 juiced lime
Simmer the chicken until it is tender.
Simmer the chicken until it is tender.
Stir in the lime juice.
Stir in the lime juice.
Tom Kha Kai
Tom Kha Kai

Tom Kha Kai 

  • Servings: 4
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

My take on the traditional Thai recipe



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts, cubed 
  • 2 cups coconut milk 
  • 1 tsp. ginger powder
  • 2 spring onions, chopped
  • 2 chopped serrano chillies
  • 2 tsp. lemongrass 
  • 1 juiced lime

Directions

  1. Instructions
  2. Bring one cup coconut milk to boil in a large saucepan.
  3. Add the chicken, lemongrass, and ginger to the coconut milk, reduce to a medium heat.
  4. Put the lid on the saucepan, simmer until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
  5. Add the rest of the coconut milk to the pan along with the spring onions and chillies, let the liquid come back to the simmer.
  6. Stir in the lime juice just before serving.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 195 calories; 7 g fat; 5 g carbohydrates; 27 g protein

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.