Lemon Chicken and Roast Vegetables on a bed of Couscous

I've always been a fan of Mediterranean vegetables and so this was a very simple, quick and easy recipe to cook when I offer to cook dinner (which admittedly, isn't very often!) I always find cakes and puddings so much more interesting as I've found that you can think up a meal in seconds with what's in the fridge, where as producing a cake is more like an art form. Am I alone in thinking this? I'm not saying that savoury cooking is boring, it's far from it, but I don't get as much pleasure from pouring over savoury recipes than sweet. 

It was not long ago that I discovered my love for couscous; when I found out how easy it is to make it was an added bonus! It certainly makes a change from when you don't fancy stodgy potatoes or chips. And so chicken seemed like the obvious answer to pull this meal together, with a few added flavourings.  

To serve 2, you'll need:
Half a Red Onion
1 Courgette
Half a Red Pepper
Half a Yellow Pepper
Handful of Cherry or Vine Tomatoes
Olive Oil
2 Chicken Breasts
1 Lemon
Oregano
Half a chicken or Vegetable Stock Cube
250ml (approx.) Boiling Water
200g (approx.) Dried Couscous

Preheat the oven to 200^oC/400^oF/Gas Mark 6. Chop up the vegetables into chunky pieces and place in a roasting tin. Drizzle over some olive oil. Prick the chicken breasts and squeeze over some lemon juice and sprinkle on the oregano. Place 2 slices on lemon on top. Lay some foil in another roasting tin and put the chicken inside. Drizzle over some olive oil and close the foil over the chicken, creating a little parcel.

Place both tins into the oven and roast for 35-45 minutes. The vegetable should be soft and beginning to char and the chicken should no longer be pink. Before serving dissolve the stockcube into the boiling water ans pour over the couscous in a jug and leave to absorb. This should take 5 minutes. Drain away any excess liquid from the couscous and serve.

Happy Baking! 

x

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P.S  I am in a show at the Epsom Playhouse called Half A Sixpence with Lottie from Lottie's World of Cakes and Bakes from Tuesday 9th-Saturday 13th October. We play the parts of two shopgirls called Kate and Flo!

Delicious Mediterranean Chicken Tray Bake

My mum's got quite a few handy friends when it comes to cookery and one of them recycles all her cookery magazines by giving them to me- A lovely gesture, and it's eco-friendly! Pouring over them is a great way to find new recipes and tips and this was one that I found in BBC's Good Food Magazine. I would really recommend it! It's full of good ideas and new things to try and well as the old family favourites. The more confident chef might find the recipes a bit tedious, but they're just right for me! 
It was simple to make and turns out to be a really tasty mid-week meal. The garlic cheese really compliments the roasted vegetables and the simple rice contrasts from the bold flavours of the other ingredients. I think the colours also look amazing, as there's nothing worse than a dull-looking meal; it makes it look so unappetizing. 

To Serve 4:

2 Red Peppers

1 Red Onion

4 Chicken Breasts (Optional to remove the skin)

150g pack of Garlic and Herb Soft Cheese (You can also use a garlic cheese like Boursin)

Cherry Tomatoes

Handful of Black Olives

Olive Oil

Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/ Gas Mark 6. De seed the peppers and cut into chunks. Cut the onion in wedges and mix together with the pepper in a baking tray. Drizzle with oil. Cook for 10 minutes. 

Cut a horizontal slit into the chicken breasts and push equal amounts of the cheese into them. Smooth the slit and brush with oil. Add them to the tray along with the tomatoes and olives and season. Return to the oven and cook for a further 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked.

Serve with rice white. I won't include quantities as I don't actually weight out rice. But I usually cook it for short bursts in the microwave on a lower heat setting. 

This meal would also go lovely on couscous and you could add some green vegetables, for instance mange taut, to add even more colour! 

Happy Baking! 

x

Please leave a comment below! 

Follow @NicckkNackk


The picture above is from BBC's Good Food Website as mine didn't turn out very well!