Peak Performance Fitness

Lynbrook | New Hyde Park | NY

chicken

Recipe of the Week: Winter Grain Salad

Makes 4 large meal salads or 6 side salads

Ingredients:

Wild Rice

  • 1 cup wild rice, rinsed
  • 1?4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Carrots

  • 1 pound carrots,* peeled and cut on the diagonal into 1?2-inch-thick slices
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1?4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1?4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Lemon Dressing

  • 1?4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
  • 1?4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Salad

  • 1?3 cup raw pistachios, roughly chopped, or pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)
  • 5 to 6 ounces baby arugula
  • 1?3 cup crumbled goat or feta cheese (about 2 ounces)
  • 3 tablespoons raisins, preferably golden

 

Directions:

  1. To cook the wild rice: Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the rinsed rice and continue boiling, reducing the heat as necessary to prevent overflow, until the rice is tender but still offers a light resistance to the bite, 40 to 55 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, drain the rice, and return it to the pot. Cover and let the rice rest for 10 minutes, then uncover and stir in the salt.
  2. To roast the carrots: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the carrots on the baking sheet and drizzle them with the olive oil. Sprinkle the chili powder, cinnamon, and salt on top. Toss until the carrots are lightly coated in oil and spices. Arrange in a single layer and roast until they are caramelized on the edges and easily pierced through by a fork, 25 to 40 minutes, toss halfway through
  3. To make the lemon dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper to
  4. To prepare the salad: In a medium skillet, toast the chopped pistachios over medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant and turning golden on the edges, 4 to 6 Set aside to cool.
  5. In a large serving bowl, combine the cooked wild rice and When you’re ready to serve, drizzle the mixture with just enough dressing to lightly coat the salad (you might have a little extra) and toss to combine. Arrange the roasted carrots down the center and sprinkle the toasted pistachios, crumbled goat cheese, and raisins on top. Serve immediately. This salad is best the day it’s prepared, but it keeps well, chilled, for 2 to 3 days.

 

Original recipe from Run Fast, Eat Slow can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

A healthy twist on a classic lunch recipe- serve it on toast, over a salad, in a wrap or in a lettuce wrap!
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 2 hours
Total: 2 hours 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 lb. cooked, shredded chicken breast
  • 1 large green apple, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 2 large celery stalks, finely diced
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Place shredded chicken, green apple, red onion, celery, and dried cranberries into a large bowl. Mix and set aside.
  2. Create the sauce by mixing together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Add sauce to the shredded chicken mixture and mix until combined.

Nutrition:

Serves: 4

Calories per Serving: 194

Fat: 2g Carbs: 16g Protein: 28g

Original recipe from Fit Foodie Finds can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

Nothing says fall quite like cozy, chicken pot pie soup. This soup is loaded with veggies like carrots, cauliflower & peas, or add whatever you like! It’s dairy and gluten free, plus paleo and Whole 30 approved.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 369 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 1/2 pounds uncooked boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
  • Freshly ground salt and pepper
  • 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 white onion, chopped
  • 2 large carrots, sliced
  • 3 cups diced yukon gold potatoes
  • 3 cups finely chopped cauliflower florets
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 cups of unsweetened almond milk, cashew milk, skim milk, or 2%
  • 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup frozen peas

Instructions

  1. Place a large Dutch oven or pot over medium high heat. Add in olive oil. Once oil is hot, add in diced chicken breast and generously season with salt and pepper. Cook chicken for 4-6 minutes or until thoroughly cooked and no longer pink. Remove chicken from pot and transfer to a large bowl; set aside for later.

  2. In the same pot, add in 1/2 tablespoon olive oil, chopped onion, sliced carrots, diced gold potatoes, diced cauliflower and thyme. Saute for a few minutes until onion begins to soften, then add in milk, chicken broth and salt and pepper. Allow mixture to simmer uncovered for 10 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender.

  3. Next remove 3 cups of the mixture from the pot and add to a blender. Blend until completely smooth, then transfer puree back to the pot. Stir in cooked chicken and frozen peas. Allow mixture to simmer for 5-10 more minutes to thicken up a bit. Add salt and pepper, to taste.

     

Original recipe from Ambitious Kitchen can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Balsamic Chicken Berry Quinoa Salad

This flavorful salad is perfect to meal prep to bring for lunch! Even better is making a homemade, sweet & tangy raspberry vinaigrette!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients:

For the chicken:

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano

For the dressing:

  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon raspberry jam
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the salad:

  • 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 3/4 cup quartered strawberries
  • ½ cup blueberries
  • 1/2 cup goat cheese crumbles
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • ¼ cup toasted sliced almonds (or chopped roasted almonds)
  • 2–4 cups arugula or baby spinach

Instructions:

  1. Add chicken and marinade ingredients to a large bag. Marinate chicken for 20 minutes to 1 hour.
  2. While you are marinating your chicken, make your quinoa: Add 1 1/2 cup water to a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Then, stir in quinoa. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for exactly 15 minutes. Remove the saucepan from heat and let stand covered for another 5-10 minutes. Fluff the quinoa with a fork. Quinoa will pop upon cooking and expand. To help separate the grains, use a fork and fluff the quinoa. Set aside.
  3. While the quinoa is cooking, chop all your ingredients for your salad.
  4. Next, make your raspberry vinaigrette. Add all ingredients for the dressing to a small bowl and mix until well-combined. Set aside.
  5. Once ready to cook chicken, preheat grill to medium high heat. Lightly oil the grate. Grill chicken breasts for 6-8 minutes per side, or until juices run clear and chicken is no longer pink. Once chicken has cooked, transfer to a cutting board and dice into bite sized pieces.
  6. Make the mason jar salads by dividing ingredients evenly between 4 (32-ounce) large mason jars in the following order: dressing, strawberries, cooked quinoa, blueberries, chicken, goat cheese, avocado, arugula, almonds.
  7. When ready to serve, pour contents from the mason jar onto a plate or into a bowl and enjoy! Makes 4 large mason jars.
  8. To make vegetarian: replace chicken with 1 (15oz) can chickpeas

Nutrition Facts:

Amount Per Serving (1 mason jar salad)
517 calories
Fat: 29.5g, Carbohydrates: 35.1g, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 5.6g, Protein: 32.3g
Original recipe from Ambitious Kitchen can be found here!

Recipe of the Week: Grilled Chicken, Lentil and Peach Salad

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup French green lentils
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons shallots, finely chopped
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 small (6 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 large (6 ounce) stone peaches, halved and pitted
  • 1/2 cup loosely packed mint leaves, torn
  • 1/2 cup loosely packed basil leaves, torn

Directions:

  1. In a small saucepan, combine the lentils with 3 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until the lentils are just tender, about 25 minutes. Drain.
  2. While the lentils are cooking, preheat a grill over medium heat. In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, oil, shallots, vinegar, mustard, honey, garlic and pepper. Place 2 tablespoons of the mixture in a medium bowl, add the chicken and toss to coat, set the remaining dressing aside.
  3. Place the chicken and peach halves, cut side down, on the grill. Cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Cook the peaches until charred on the cut side and softened slightly, 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let stand 5 minutes. Cut chicken into thin slices and the peaches into bite-size pieces.
  4. Divide the warm lentils among 4 plates. Arrange the chicken and peaches over the top. Sprinkle with the herbs and drizzle each salad with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the remaining dressing. Serve warm.

Nutrition Information:

Serves: 4
Serving Size: 1/4 of the lentils, 1 chicken breast, 1/2 peach, 1/4 cup herbs, 1 1/2 tablespoons dressing

Per serving: Calories: 258; Fat: 10g; Carbs: 26g; Dietary Fiber: 8g; Sugar: 14g; Protein: 19g

 

Original recipe from My Fitness Pal can be found here!