Peri Peri Chicken and Zoodle Salad

Fresh, crisp zucchini noodles (zoodles) are combined with the smokey, spicy tastes of peri-peri-marinated chicken to create the zesty, low-carb Peri Peri Chicken and Zoodle Salad. With its delicious combination of protein, veggies, and strong tastes, this colorful and nutritious dish is ideal for a light dinner or a quick lunch.

Recipe Overview

Ingredients

For the Peri Peri Chicken:

• Two big, skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• ½ cup of homemade or store-bought peri-peri sauce
• One tablespoon of olive oil
• To taste, add salt and black pepper.

For the Zoodle Salad:

• Three medium zucchini that have been spiralized into zoodles
• One cup of cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• One small, sliced cucumber
• Red onion: finely sliced, ½ small
• One red bell pepper, cut thinly
• Two teaspoons of finely chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

For the Dressing:

• Two teaspoons of olive oil
• One tablespoon of lemon juice
• One minced clove of garlic
• One teaspoon of honey (optional)
• To taste, add salt and black pepper.

Optional Garnishes:

• Feta cheese crumbles
• slices of lemon

Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

1. Season the chicken breasts with half of the peri-peri sauce, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
2. Give the chicken at least 15 minutes to marinade, or up to 2 hours for a more intense taste.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

1. Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
2. The chicken breasts should be cooked through, with an internal temperature of 165°F/75°C, after 5 to 6 minutes on each side.
3. In the final minute of cooking, brush the chicken with the leftover peri peri sauce.
4. After five minutes of resting, cut the chicken into thin strips.

Step 3: Prepare the Zoodle Salad

1. The spiralized zucchini, bell pepper, red onion, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and parsley or cilantro should all be combined in a big bowl.
2. To create the dressing, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, honey (if using), salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Drizzle the salad with the dressing and gently toss to mix.

Step 4: Assemble the Dish

1. Spoon the zoodle salad onto each dish.
2. Place slices of peri-peri chicken on top of each platter.
3. If preferred, garnish with lemon wedges, more parsley, and crumbled feta cheese.

Tips for Best Results

• Let the chicken marinate overnight for more flavor.
• For uniformly sliced zucchini noodles, use a spiralizer; alternatively, use store-bought zoodles.
• Reduce the quantity of peri peri sauce or combine it with plain yogurt before marinating if you like your food less hot.

Nutritional Benefits

• Zucchini Noodles: A low-carb alternative to pasta, packed with vitamins and antioxidants.
• Chicken: High in protein, keeping you fuller for longer.
• Peri Peri Sauce: Adds flavor with minimal calories (choose sugar-free options for a healthier choice).

Serving Suggestions

For extra sweetness and texture, serve this meal with baked sweet potato wedges on the side.

For a cool touch, serve with a chilled glass of lemonade or water with cucumber infusion.

Savor the robust and revitalizing tastes of Zoodle Salad with Peri Peri Chicken, the ideal balance of crunch and spice for a filling supper!