Tandoori chicken skewers

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Spicy on the BBQ

The weather has been warming up, and I want to spend more of my time outside enjoying the beauty New Zealand has to offer. When the weather warms up, I want to spend less time hanging out in a hot kitchen; what an excellent excuse to get the BBQ cleaned off and fired up. I love cooking over real flames, and the added flavours from cooking over charcoal are hard to beat.

Fire + spicy + meat = awesome!

Op shop inspiration

A few years back, I bought a backyard BBQ cookbook on one of our many trips to the Ops shop up in Whangarei. I loved that it was a Man’s cookbook, all about Manly cooking over an open flame without the womenfolk getting in the way. The recipes are all simple and don’t have heaps of prep. They are designed to let the good ingredients and smoke do all the work. Feels like a good fit for my cooking style-easy and clean. While skimming through the cookbook, I found the good old chicken and veg skewer recipe, and it got me thinking, could you make the standard meat and veg skewer better? Yes, you can obviously, or l wouldn’t be posting this recipe.

Tandoori skewers

My backyard BBQ cookbook got me thinking about other foods that use smoke and flames to add more flavour to the food; the answer was reasonably obvious, tandoori. While the tandoor is made of clay and doesn’t use charcoal, the principles are the same- smoke, flames, and meat give you amazing flavours. I always have a jar of Tandoori style spice mix in my pantry so that I can add a little extra spice to dinner when I need to. I decide to combine BBQ and Indian inspired flavours to give the family something spicy and new for dinner.

Tandoori chicken skewers

Not to hot

While I have nothing against the gas BBQ, I much prefer the results from a charcoal BBQ. Charcoal BBQ’s take longer to set up and start cooking with, but once they are up and running, they are straightforward to use and can pretty much look after themselves and cook your food without too much effort from you. I am not a BBQ expert, I know what works well for my cooking style and the recipes I have created or used in the past. For this recipe, I set my BBQ up for indirect heat and put the skewers on to cook

once all of the charcoal had burned and was white. The BBQ internal temperature was around 300 degrees C or 600 degrees F, which meant the meat and veggies were cooked in about minutes. Getting the temperature right before you put your food on the BBQ is key. If you put the food on when the BBQ is too hot, you end up with meat that is black on the outside and raw in the middle. This is dangerous when you are cooking chicken. If you want to know more about the basics of BBQ set up and cooking.

Tandoori chicken skewers recipe

Tandoori chicken skewers ingredients

Ingredients 

  • 1/3 cup tandoori spice powder 
  • 1 tbsp lime juice 
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed 
  • 3 chicken breast, cubed 
  • 1/2 green pepper, cubed 
  • 1/2 red pepper, cubed 
  • 1 red onion, cubed-quartered, then halved 
  • 1/2 cup olive oil 
  • salt and pepper 

Mix together the garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, lime juice, and tandoori spice powder in a bowl. 

Place the tandoori spice powder in a large bowl.
Add the lime juice.
Add the garlic and oil a little at a time.
Mix well.
When you have added all the oil you will have a smooth paste.

Add the chicken to the bowl with the tandoori paste, mix to coat the chicken. 

Ad the chicken to the paste.
Mix well.
Make sure that chicken is fully coated
Get the vegetables and chicken together to start building the skewers

Thread the chicken, onion, pepper and peppers onto soaked bamboo skewers. 

Thread the chicken, onion, pepper and peppers onto soaked bamboo skewers. 
Keep adding chicken, onion and peppers to the skewer
Repeat with the remaining vegetables and chicken

Brush the extra paste onto the skewers. 

Cook the skewers on an oiled BBQ or in a chargrill pan, turning occasionally. 

Cook the skewers on an oiled BBQ or in a chargrill pan, turning occasionally. 

The chicken should be cooked through in about 10 minutes. 

Serve hot with some salad

Tandoori chicken skewers

  • Rating: ★★★★★
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“These



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup tandoori spice powder
  • 1 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 3 chicken breast, cubed
  • 1/2 green pepper, cubed
  • 1/2 red pepper, cubed
  • 1 red onion, cubed-quartered, then halved
  • 1/2 cup Olive oil
  • salt and pepper

Directions

  1. Mix together the garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, lime juice, and tandoori spice powder in a bowl.
  2. Add the chicken to the bowl with the tandoori paste, mix to coat the chicken.
  3. Thread the chicken, onion, pepper and peppers onto soaked bamboo skewers.
  4. Brush the extra paste onto the skewers.
  5. Cook the skewers on an oiled BBQ or in a chargrill pan, turning occasionally.
  6. The chicken should be cooked through in about 10 minutes.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 139 calories; 10g fat; 2g carbohydrates; 12g protein

Equipment 

  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Mixing bowl
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • Fork
  • Spoon
  • Wooden skewers

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.

Italian roast chicken

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Something fancy

It has been a busy few weeks, I’ve been a bit basic with our meals and we have been living off our freezer staples, I have a little bit of breathing room and a strong craving for something fancier for dinner.

Italian roast chicken tray
Italian roast chicken tray

Fancy but easily

In my book, fancy doesn’t mean spending hours ‘in the kitchen boiling to death over a hot stove. This recipe is very fancy but is all cooked on a single tray.

The garlic is the star of this meal for me, the bed of garlic under the chicken means you have a suture frae our through the meat while the roast garlic cloves have a deep rich flavour that compliments the rest of the dish.

The quick peep and hands off cooking measures you can get on with other things and come back to a perfectly roasted chicken.

Italian roast chicken recipe

Italian roast chicken ingredients

Ingredients 

  • 2 large tomatoes thickly sliced
  • 250g cherry tomatoes
  • 1 red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 garlic bulb peeled and bruised
  • 1/3 cup flat-leaf parsley chopped
  • 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 sprigs rosemary
  • 1.6 kg chicken
Large chicken

Take a large baking tray.

Take a large baking tray.
Take a large baking tray.

Place one garlic bulb on the baking tray.

Place one garlic bulb on the baking tray.
Place one garlic bulb on the baking tray.

Lay the chicken on top of the garlic.

Lay the chicken on top of the garlic.
Lay the chicken on top of the garlic.

Spread out the onion next to the chicken.

Spread out the onion next to the chicken.
Spread out the onion next to the chicken.

Add the remaining garlic bulbs on top of the onions.

Add the remaining garlic bulbs on top of the onions.
Add the remaining garlic bulbs on top of the onions.

Add the tomatoes on top of the garlic.

Add the tomatoes on top of the garlic.
Add the tomatoes on top of the garlic.

Drizzle the vinegar and olive oil over the chicken and vegetables.

Drizzle the vinegar and olive oil over the chicken and vegetables.
Drizzle the vinegar and olive oil over the chicken and vegetables.

Place the rosemary sprigs on top of the chicken and the vegetables.

Cover the baking tray with baking paper.

Cover the baking tray with baking paper.
Cover the baking tray with baking paper.

Cover the baking paper with foil.

Cover the baking paper with foil.
Cover the baking paper with foil.

Bake for 1 hour.

Check the chicken to make sure the meat is cooked and the juices are running clear before removing the baking paper and foil, this will depend on the size of the chicken.

Check the chicken to make sure the meat is cooked and the juices are running clear
Check the chicken to make sure the meat is cooked and the juices are running clear

Return the chicken to the oven uncovered for another 20 minutes or until the skin is golden brown.

Return the chicken to the oven uncovered for another 20 minutes
Return the chicken to the oven uncovered for another 20 minutes

Slice the chicken, squeeze out the garlic and serve while hot.

Slice the chicken, squeeze out the garlic and serve while hot.
Slice the chicken, squeeze out the garlic and serve while hot.

Italian roast chicken

  • Servings: 6
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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This one tray meal a great option for busy week nights or an action packed weekend.



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 2 tomatoes thickly sliced
  • 250g cherry tomatoes
  • 1 red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 garlic bulb peeled and bruised
  • 1/3 cup flat leaf parsley chopped
  • 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 sprigs rosemary
  • 1.6 kg chicken

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C/ 400 degrees F.  
  2. Take a large baking tray.
  3. Place one garlic bulb on the baking tray.
  4. Lay the chicken on top of the garlic.
  5. Spread out the onion next to the chicken.
  6. Add the remaining garlic bulbs on top of the onions.
  7. Add the tomatoes on top of the garlic.
  8. Drizzle the vinegar and olive oil over the chicken and vegetables.
  9. Place the rosemary sprigs on top of the chicken and the vegetables.
  10. Cover the baking tray with baking paper.
  11. Cover the baking paper with foil.
  12. Bake for 1 hour.
  13. Check the chicken to make sure the meat is cooked and the juices are running clear before removing the baking paper and foil, this will depend on the size of the chicken.
  14. Return the chicken to the oven uncovered for another 20 minutes or until the skin is golden brown.
  15. Slice the chicken, squeeze out the garlic and serve while hot.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 349 calories; 14 g fat; 9 g carbohydrates; 53 g protein

Equipment

  • Roasting tin
  • Baking paper 
  • Aluminium foil
  • Measuring cups
  • 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 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: ★★★★★
  • Print

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.

Moroccan chicken bake

Leave a comment

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. 

More ways to eat chicken

As the kids get older 1 And they are more open to trying new foods and different flavours. Not long ago, the kids would have answered even the suggestion of Moroccan flavours with “It’s too spicy” and ‘I don’t like things like that’. Now I get responses like ‘I’ll try that’ and ‘mmm, that smells nice! We don’t always end up with a new kid-friendly meal, but it makes me happy they are willing to try. I’ll be honest that this recipe was not very successful with the kids; it was a winner for the grown-ups.

The spice mix I use in this recipe is one of my own creations, and you can always use one you like or make your own.

Friday night favourite

As with almost every other night, Friday night is busy; by the time I’ve picked up the little (not so little now) guy, we have done our weekly food shop and navigated the joy that is Auckland traffic, it is hard to find the motivation to make dinner. That is why I love this recipe; I can have dinner in the oven within 10 minutes of dropping the shopping bags in the kitchen. While this tasty and filling dinner cooks, I can empty the dishwasher, put the shopping away and get a load of laundry going before it needs any attention. What more could you want?

Moroccan chicken bake recipe

Ingredients 

  • 3/4 tsp. salt 
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cumin 
  • 3/4 tsp. paprika 
  • 3/4 tsp. turmeric 
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cayenne pepper 
  • 1/4 tsp.  
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil 
  • 1 tbsp. butter 
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced 
  • 1 lemon 
  • 1 aubergine, cubed 
  • 2 onions, cut into wedges 
  • 1 chicken, quartered 
One dish meals are my favourite
One dish meals are my favourite

Moroccan chicken bake

  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

“For



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats 

Ingredients

–3/4 tsp. salt  –1/4 tsp. ground cumin  –3/4 tsp. paprika  –3/4 tsp. turmeric  –1/4 tsp. ground cayenne pepper  –1/4 tsp.  –1 tbsp. olive oil  –1 tbsp. butter  –4 garlic cloves, minced  –1 lemon  –1 aubergine, cubed  –2 onions, cut into wedges  –1 chicken, quartered 


Directions

  1. Preheat an oven to 250 degrees c/ 475 degrees f. 
  2. Mix together the salt, ground cumin, paprika, turmeric, cayenne, and black pepper in a bowl. 
  3. Add the butter, garlic and oil to the spices and mix to create a thick paste. 
  4. Cut the lemon in half, put one half to one side for later, but the other half into thin slices. 
  5. Take a large baking dish, place the lemon slices in the bottom of the dish next, add the aubergine and onions. 
  6. Add the chicken quarters to the top of the onions. 
  7. Spread the spice paste over the skin of each part of the chicken. 
  8. Bake in the oven for 30 40 minutes, the chicken should be cooked through, and the juices run clear. 
  9. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. 

Nutrition

Per Serving: 436 calories; 24g fat; 12.5g carbohydrates; 40g protein

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Baking dish 
  • Mixing bowl
  • Fork 
  • 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.

White chilli

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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