Piri Piri Chicken & Lentil High Protein Bake

We are currently trying to up Millie’s protein intake due to all her training. Its a case of replenishing what she is using and providing her body with the right ingredients to do what it is supposed to. She is definitely not on a diet and this has nothing to do with her weight.

As such, you may find a few Protein rich meal ideas popping up over here. The battle is to find something that appeals to a 15yo, quick to make and quite often portable. (I do have to admit, she is good with her food and often eats things she doesn’t really fancy but knows she needs the nutrients). This meal of Piri Piri Chicken & Lentil Bake was actually eaten en route to the dentist to have 2 teeth extracted as part of her orthodontist treatment – bet she smelt lovely!

Now I do have a confession to make. When Millie first clapped eyes on this meal, she said it looks like she’s already eaten it. You get the picture… She’s 15. What do they know? Anyhow, after being so offensive about my cooking, she tried some. AND ATE THE BLOODY LOT!! I win at parenting today 🙂

So how can you make Piri Piri Chicken & Lentil Bake: An easy meal that will be dismissed by a teen yet gobbled up?

PIRI PIRI CHICKEN AND LENTIL BAKE

Serves	3-4
Prep time	1 hour, 30 minutes
Cook time	45 minutes
Total time	2 hours, 15 minutes
Meal type	Lunch, Main Dish, Snack
Misc	Serve Hot

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Medium Onion (Finely Chopped)
• 150g Red Lentils or Yellow Split Peas (Cook according to their instructions until just softened)
• 3 Medium Chicken Breasts (Chopped into Small/Medium Chunks)
• 2 teaspoons Piri Piri Powder Seasoning
• 1l Chicken Stock
• 1 tin Sweetcorn (I used a large tin but a small one is fine if you don’t like loads of corn)

OPTIONAL 

• 1 Medium Carrot (Grated)

NOTE

If you like your dishes a little spicier, you could add an extra teaspoon of the Piri Piri seasoning to the stock or even add a finely chopped chilli

DIRECTIONS

Chicken
1.
Rub the Piri Piri Seasoning into the raw chicken. Cover with cling film and place in the fridge for at least 1 hour but preferable overnight
Chicken & Lentil Bake
2.
Preheat the oven to 190C. Fry the onions in a little vegetable oil – we use spray oil in a oven/hob casserole dish
3.
Add the seasoned chicken to the pan and brown off the outside of the chicken for around 5 minutes
4.
Add the stock, sweetcorn, cooked lentils and carrots if you are using them and stir through
5.
Place in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes
6.
Eat immediately. Great with crusty bread dipped in!