Hamdi Saidani This Jamie Oliver 15 Minute Meal Spiced Chicken is a warm and rustic high-protein recipe, which includes puy lentils and baby spinach. It’s a hearty, flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights, ready in about 25 minutes.
Jamie Oliver 15 Minute Meal Spiced Chicken Ingredients
For the lentils:
- 1 onion
- 1 carrot
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- Olive oil
- 2 × 400g tins puy lentils (with juices)
- 1 ripe tomato, chopped
- 200g baby spinach
- 1 tsp red wine vinegar
- 4 heaped tbsp fat-free natural yoghurt
For the chicken:
- 4 × 120g skinless chicken breasts
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, unpeeled
- 1 handful fresh thyme, rosemary and/or bay
- 4 rashers smoked pancetta
- 1 bunch asparagus (300g), trimmed
To serve:
- Crusty bread
How To Make Jamie Oliver 15 Minute Meal Spiced Chicken
- Start The Lentils: Blitz onion, carrot, and rosemary in a processor. Sauté in a large pan with olive oil over medium heat.
- Prepare The Chicken: Season chicken with salt, pepper, and cayenne. Flatten to 1.5cm thick between greaseproof paper. Fry in olive oil with garlic and herbs, turning after 3–4 minutes.
- Add Lentils: Stir lentils (with liquid) and tomato into the pan with veggies. Cover with lid and simmer.
- Cook Greens And Pancetta: Chop spinach, stir into lentils with vinegar. In the chicken pan, add pancetta and asparagus. Cook until crisp.
- Assemble The Dish: Spoon lentils onto a platter, swirl in most of the yoghurt. Slice chicken, layer on top with pancetta, garlic, and asparagus. Finish with yoghurt dollops. Warm bread on the side.
Recipe Tips
- Can I use green lentils instead?
Yes, just ensure they are pre-cooked or canned with liquid. - Is cayenne pepper spicy?
It adds mild heat—reduce or omit for less spice. - Can I skip pancetta?
Yes, for a leaner or vegetarian version, leave it out or use smoked tofu. - What bread works best?
Crusty sourdough or rustic baguette complements the dish.
What To Serve With Spiced Chicken
This dish is complete on its own but pairs well with:
- A fresh arugula salad
- Roasted cherry tomatoes
- Chilled cucumber and mint yogurt
- Iced lemon tea
How To Store Spiced Chicken
Refrigerate: Store chicken and lentils separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days.
Freeze: Lentils freeze well; chicken and asparagus are best fresh.
Spiced Chicken Nutrition Facts
- Calories: ~616 kcal per serving
- Protein: 44g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fat: 35g
- Fiber: 8g
- Sugar: 6g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I cook the chicken in the oven instead?
Yes, bake at 200°C for 15–20 minutes or until cooked through.
Is this meal gluten-free?
Yes, if served without bread or with a gluten-free option.
Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes, prep the lentils and chicken separately, then assemble fresh.
What can I substitute for yoghurt?
Try sour cream or a dairy-free alternative for a similar effect.
Jamie Oliver 15 Minute Meal Spiced Chicken
Course: DinnerCuisine: Mediterranean-InspiredDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes15
minutes616
kcalA fast, hearty chicken dinner layered over spiced lentils, creamy yoghurt, and crisp pancetta—bold flavors and comforting textures in every bite.
Ingredients
- Lentils:
1 onion
1 carrot
2 rosemary sprigs
Olive oil
2 × 400g tinned puy lentils
1 tomato
200g spinach
1 tsp red wine vinegar
4 tbsp natural yoghurt
- Chicken:
4 chicken breasts
½ tsp cayenne pepper
4 garlic cloves
Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, bay)
4 pancetta rashers
300g asparagus
- To serve:
Crusty bread
Directions
- Blitz onion, carrot, rosemary; cook in pan with oil.
- Season and flatten chicken; fry with garlic and herbs.
- Add lentils and tomato to veg pan; simmer.
- Stir spinach and vinegar into lentils.
- Cook pancetta and asparagus with chicken.
- Serve lentils with yoghurt, sliced chicken, veg, and bread.
Notes
- Swap lentils or greens as needed.
- Best eaten fresh, lentils freeze well.
- Adjust spice by reducing cayenne.
- Great with rustic or sourdough bread.