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Paprika Chicken Thighs with Minted Pea Purée and Beetroot Dressing

Smoky paprika chicken thighs on a fresh minted pea purée, with peppery watercress and a bright beetroot dressing. A gluten-free, dairy-free dinner with 49g of protein, ready in 35 minutes.

Dinner

35

Serves 2

Golden paprika chicken pieces on a bright green pea purée, topped with watercress and pea shoots and splashed with a vivid pink beetroot dressing on a teal plate

Ingredients

  • 4 small boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 400g/14oz)
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) olive oil: 1 tbsp for the chicken, 2 tsp for the purée and 1 tsp for the dressing
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika, half a tsp ground cumin, a pinch of salt and black pepper
  • 1 small clove garlic (about 4g), crushed
  • Juice of half a lemon (about 15ml)
  • 300g/10½oz/2 cups frozen peas
  • A small bunch of mint (about 8g), leaves picked
  • 80g/3oz cooked beetroot (beets), not in vinegar
  • 2 tsp (10ml) red wine vinegar
  • 40g/1½oz watercress or pea shoots

Method

  1. Heat the oven to 200C (180C fan, 400F). Toss the chicken with 1 tablespoon of the oil, the smoked paprika, cumin, garlic, salt and pepper.
  2. Heat an ovenproof frying pan (skillet) over a medium-high heat and brown the chicken for 3 minutes on each side. Transfer the pan to the oven for 15 to 18 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through, with no pink meat and clear juices, and reads 75C (165F) in the thickest part. Rest for 3 minutes, then squeeze over half the lemon juice.
  3. Meanwhile, cook the peas in boiling water for 3 minutes, until tender. Drain, keeping 3 tablespoons of the water. Blend with the mint, the rest of the lemon juice, 2 teaspoons of the oil, a pinch of salt and enough of the cooking water to make a thick, smooth purée.
  4. Blend the beetroot with the vinegar and the last teaspoon of oil until smooth, adding a splash of water if needed so it drizzles.
  5. Spread the pea purée on two plates, top with the chicken and watercress and spoon dots of beetroot dressing around the plate.
  6. The chicken and purée keep separately in the fridge for up to 2 days; reheat the chicken until steaming hot all the way through. Cooked chicken freezes for up to 3 months.

Why it works

A plate gives you about 49g of protein and 9g of fibre for 507 calories, from the chicken and peas.

Why thighs. Boneless, skinless thighs stay juicier than breast and are harder to overcook. Check they reach 75C (165F) in the thickest part, with clear juices and no pink meat.

Peas instead of mash. A purée of peas and mint takes the place of potato mash, with more protein and fibre and fewer carbohydrates. Frozen peas are picked and frozen quickly, so they keep their nutrients well.

Why it is tagged for blood sugar. With only 18g of carbohydrate and a lot of protein, this plate is unlikely to cause a sharp rise in blood sugar. Beetroot and watercress add colour, flavour and a peppery bite.

Gluten-free and dairy-free. For another chicken dinner, try the harissa chicken with cauliflower and chickpeas.