I threw together this concoction last week and it was absolutely delicious! High in protein, low-fat, low-carbohydrate and absolutely packed with nutrients, this is a great superfood salad. It’s easy and relatively inexpensive to make, it’s super filling and it tastes great!
Let’s take a look at the key ingredients to understand how beneficial this meal really is…
Chicken: High protein, low fat & a well-known metabolism booster.
Butternut Squash: Rich in poly-phenolic anti-oxidants and vitamins, a great source of dietary fibre and high in Vitamin A, this winter squash is packed with goodness at an incredibly low price.
Quinoa: Labelled a superfood of the future. Quinoa is one of the most protein-rich foods we can eat, and contains fibre, vitamins and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients. It’s cheap & easy to cook too!
Pine Nuts: High in vitamin A, immunity boosting and a great source of healthy, friendly fats.
Spinach: Nutrient dense, an excellent source of numerous vitamins, rich in omega 3 and packed with anti-oxidants.
Ingredients (Serves 2):
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1/2 butternut squash, chopped into cubes
2 handfuls of spinach
1 clove garlic
1/4 cucumber
2 tomatoes, chopped
75g Quinoa
1/2 chopped red pepper
Handful pine nuts
Olive oil & lemon
Salt, pepper and mixed herbs or fresh basil
- Chop the butternut squash into small cubes and boil until soft for around 30 minutes.
- In a small pan, boil the quinoa for 15-20 minutes, or until the spirals in the grain have broken (you’ll know when you see it). Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in the pan, and dice the chicken.
- Crush the garlic and fry in the oil, then add the diced chicken. Season with salt, pepper and mixed herbs. Cook the chicken until golden brown on a low heat.
- In the meantime, prepare the salad. Chop the cucumbers and peppers and place in a large bowl along with the spinach.
- When the butternut squash, quinoa and chicken are all ready, place the butternut squash and quinoa into the salad bowl and mix thoroughly. Add a drizzle of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Serve up on a plate along with the chicken, with a handful of pine nuts to finish off. Et voila!
Suggested additions/replacements:
– Feta Cheese
– Pumpkin Seeds
– Bulgar Wheat
– Avocado
– Rocket salad
– Almond oil (instead of olive)