Iam usually at a loss of ideas for dinner. I go for my daily jog at about 6pm and have dinner about 8:30pm. So it has to be light and healthy. And with the loss of energy I just cant be bothered to stand in kitchen and cook for hours. Well this is also the time when I get attracted to all those lovely carby things in fancy packages to kill my hunger.
So without sending calories to the roof and making something sumptuous, I resort to my favourite meal which is literally like 4 times a week. Chicken Salad!
Now there are lots of types of chicken salads, I love that its so versatile to pair chicken with so many ingredients. And I will share all those ideas as and when they strike me and I create something.
For now this one is Peri Peri Chicken salad. Easy peasy and super healthy.
I marinate a chicken breast before i go for my run. Even if you cannot do that, its fine to just do it before grilling.
Mix Peri Peri salt, pepper, paprika, lemon juice, olive oil in a jar. This is like preparing a salad dressing. Now rub it on both sides of the chicken breast and leave it if you can for 30-60 minutes. Alternately you can use a store prepared Peri Peri rub or a peri peri marinade sauce.
When ready fire your oven. 180 C for about 20-25 min depending on the size of the chicken breast. Toss it over once so both sides get equal love.
When you have 10 min left for the chicken to be pulled out, dice in little squares of a slice of wholemeal bread. I used the Hovis Seeds Sensation. Brush or spray a little olive oil and pop them in the oven next to the chicken breast.
To prepare the salad, dump all the below in a large salad mixing bowl.
White onions sliced
Cherry Tomatoes
Red salad raddish
Cucumber, diced
Wild Rocket or use any other leaves like water cress, baby spinach, mixed salad leaves as per your choice
To prepare dressing
Add 2 teaspoons of olive oil, squeeze half of a lime, a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar, a teaspoon of honey, a teaspoon of whole grain mustard few pinches of red chilli flakes. Add some salt and shake it well to mix it together. Taste and check if you want anything more, adjust accordingly. Add this to the salad mix.
To assemble.
Slice the cooled down chicken breast into strips or pieces whatever you like and add it to the salad along with the toasted crunchy bread pieces. Mix everything well together and just serve quickly before you eat it out of the bowl.
It tastes so good, so wholesome with so much goodness. Packed with protein its super healthy and best fit for a light and filling dinner.
