Provencal Herbed Chicken with Quinoa and Lentil Salad

Main Ingredient:

Chicken

Ingredients:

• 2 lean chicken breasts (200g each)
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Sea salt and black pepper
• 1 tablespoon of dried Provencal herbs (thyme, rosemary, marjoram, basil, fennel seed)
• 1 cup of quinoa
• 2 cups of water
• 1 cup of green lentils
• 1 bell pepper (yellow or red), finely chopped
• A handful of cherry tomatoes, halved
• A handful of fresh basil leaves
• Zest and juice of a lemon

For the dressing:

• 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and black pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil, Provencal herbs, salt and pepper. Let it marinate for at least an hour or more, if possible.
2. Preheat your grill or prepare your barbecue. Grilled the chicken for 6-7 minutes each side or until cooked through and no pink meat remains. Let it rest.
3. Rinse quinoa under cold water until water runs clear. Put quinoa and water in a saucepan. Bring it to boil, and let it simmer until quinoa is tender and water has been absorbed.
4. Simultaneously, cook lentils in a separate pan until tender. Drain and let it cool.
5. In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, lentils, chopped bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, lemon zest and juice.
6. For the dressing, mix together apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Drizzle it over the quinoa and lentil salad. Toss everything together until well combined.

Nutritional Information:

Calories: 650

Protein: 60g

Fat: 20g

Carbs: 45g

Plating:

Slice the rested chicken breast and place it at the side of the plate, fanning out the slices elegantly. Heap the vibrant quinoa and lentil salad next to the chicken, allowing the colors to contrast and complement each other. The herbs and vegetables interspersed in the salad should be visible, adding to the colorful presentation. The dressing should give the salad a glossy finish. Garnish with some more fresh basil leaves, and a drizzle of lemon zest. The plate should look filled but not overloaded, with each component standing out while harmoniously fitting together.