This is a simple and delicious chicken recipe for a weeknight supper, that is also easily adapted for vegetarians if you swap in some of those frozen Quorn fillets. I’m totally bored of chicken goujons, so thought I’d try out something less faffy on the boys to see how they’d get on. Extremely well as it turned out. Winner winner chicken dinner!
By bashing the chicken breasts into lovely flat pieces you’re cutting right back on cooking time and also making them very easy to eat. The gorgeous flavour combination of maple syrup with mustard and fresh thyme is perfect with the juicy chicken. I was inspired by one of the cookery books I got for Christmas – Diana Henry’s Simple is full of absolute delights, including a recipe for Roast Maple & Mustard Spatchcock with Figs which I’ve adapted to be more child-friendly by using chicken breasts and cutting out the figs.
I served the chicken up to the boys with plenty of green salad and some baby potatoes roasted with olive oil and herbs. It was all wolfed down in a matter of minutes – a comforting meal without being stodgy, and packed with uplifting flavours. We’ll gloss over the fact that they drowned their plates in salad cream…
Matthew loved the vegetarian version, and it’s inspired me to cook chicken like this again for the kids but with different flavour combinations. Quick, easy and pretty healthy – this really is a gem!
A simple and tasty chicken recipe perfect for a quick weeknight supper
- 4 chicken breasts
- 4 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp thyme leaves picked
- 1 tbsp olive oil
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One at a time, put the chicken breasts in a sealable plastic bag and bash with a rolling pin to flatten to about 2cm.
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Lay next to each other in a large shallow dish and season with salt and pepper.
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Mix together the remaining ingredients in a jam jar, put the lid on and give it a really good shake and then pour all over the flattened chicken breasts. Cover with cling film and pop in the fridge to soak up the flavours. I did this for about 20 minutes but you could leave it for a few hours if you wanted to prep them in advance.
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Heat a griddle pan and fry the chicken pieces for a few minutes before turning and cooking the other side. Serve immediately with plenty of green salad and your favourite potatoes.
Vegetarian? Use the same marinade to coat some Quorn fillets, and then pan fry them
I’ve felt quite inspired to try out new recipes on the boys this month. I love the fresh start of a new year because it gives you the opportunity to break out of old routines. The boys can be pretty resistant to trying different foods, so it felt easier to stick to the same old stuff week in, week out. But this does not make for inspiring eating! I have to say I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how receptive they’ve been so far. I make sure I include the old favourites in my weekly meal plan, but then work in some new stuff. I’m also trying hard not to give them too many snacks after school, so then they’re properly hungry for their tea!
Do you have any tips for getting your kids to try new foods? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER
That glaze sounds amaaazing! So simple but so much flavour. I would definitely try this with Quorn fillets!
It works a treat with Quorn Becca… honestly I don’t know what I’d do without the stuff!!!!
Going to try this this week Katie xx
Let me know how you get on Rosie! xxx
Oh my this is a recipe my kids would actually eat! Looks and sounds totally delicious. Pinned 🙂
Thanks Lucy! It’s such a result when you come up with something new the kids actually like isn’t it!
How wonderful – this looks delicious – I think all my lot will like this.Isn’t Diana Henry great – I also got Simple for Christmas!!!
Thanks Mary – yes I’m somewhat late to the Diana Henry party, but loving her book so much!
My kids would love this but I did give them quoin fillets last week disguised as chicken and they loathed them! I am keen to do at least 2 veggie meals a week but think I’ll skip quorn and keep trying alternatives. They adore chicken dishes and meat in general but I’m keen to cut back on meat so will keep trying alternatives 🙂
Luckily my kids really like quorn, but then they’ve pretty much always had it more than they have meat!!! I think the texture can be off-putting if you’re used to eating meat. I think some of the more meaty textured veggie sausages are great these days, as are the veggie hot dogs.
Just the kind of thing we love to eat. Simple and tasty is a win win!
Glad you like it Sian – keeping things simple is survival when you’re feeding a family eh?!
Hmmm, I must lose my chicken-breast-flattening virginity soon. Love the flavour combo!
You really must, it’s very very therapeutic bashing a chicken breast with a rolling pin!
I always try to serve a nice desert after serving up somthing new that will be excepted negativly at first with the promise of ” eat all your meal and there is a nice pudding for after” Then encourage the child thats eating well along the way so the others want the same encouragement
That’s great advice! Desserts are always a good incentive!