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Chicken Souvlaki Skewers with Red Cabbage and Tomato Salad

Chunks of chicken marinated in lemon, garlic, olive oil and oregano, threaded onto skewers and grilled until lightly charred, with a crunchy red cabbage, onion and tomato salad. 47g of protein, plus 30 minutes marinating.

Dinner

30

Serves 2 (2 skewers each)

Grilled chicken souvlaki skewers on a plate with a crunchy salad of shredded red cabbage, red onion and tomato, carrot strips and celery leaves

Ingredients

  • 400g/14oz skinless chicken breast, cut into 3cm/1¼in cubes
  • 4 tsp (20ml) olive oil in total: 1 tbsp for the marinade, 1 tsp extra virgin for the salad
  • 4 tsp (20ml) lemon juice in total: 1 tbsp for the marinade, 1 tsp for the salad
  • 2 cloves garlic (about 8g), crushed
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Half a tsp salt, plus a pinch for the salad, and black pepper
  • For the salad
  • 100g/3½oz red cabbage, very finely shredded
  • 1 small red onion (about 60g/2oz), thinly sliced
  • 120g/4oz ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges
  • 1 small carrot (about 50g/2oz), cut into thin strips
  • 40g/1½oz crisp lettuce leaves
  • 10g/a small handful flat-leaf parsley or celery leaves
  • You will also need 4 skewers; soak wooden ones in water for 30 minutes so they do not burn

Method

  1. Mix 1 tbsp oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, the garlic, oregano, salt and pepper in a bowl. Add the chicken, toss to coat, cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours.
  2. Meanwhile, make the salad: toss the onion with 1 tsp lemon juice and a pinch of salt and leave for 10 minutes to soften. Add the cabbage, tomatoes, carrot, lettuce, parsley and 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil and toss.
  3. Heat a griddle pan (grill pan) or the grill (broiler) to high. Thread the chicken onto the 4 skewers, leaving a small gap between the pieces so they cook evenly.
  4. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, turning every few minutes, until lightly charred and cooked through: cut into the largest piece to check there is no pink meat and the juices run clear, or 75C/167F on a food thermometer.
  5. Rest for 2 minutes, then serve 2 skewers each with the salad. Leftover chicken keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Why it works

Two skewers give you about 47g of protein and only 11g of carbohydrate for 380 calories.

What souvlaki is. Souvlaki is a classic Greek street food of small pieces of meat, often pork in Greece, grilled on skewers. Lemon, garlic, olive oil and oregano are a typical marinade.

Why marinate. The lemon, garlic and oregano add flavour, and the salt helps lean chicken breast hold on to its juices on the grill. Thirty minutes is enough; do not go beyond 8 hours, or the lemon can make the meat mushy.

Why it is tagged for blood sugar. With little carbohydrate and plenty of protein, this meal is unlikely to cause a sharp rise in blood sugar. Red cabbage, red onion, tomatoes and carrots add crunch and colour.

Contains celery if you use celery leaves; with parsley it is free from the 14 major allergens. If you want a dip, a spoonful of tzatziki is traditional, but it adds milk. For other Greek-style dishes, try the Greek lemon chicken traybake or the tzatziki with vegetable sticks.