Fire up the grill (or stovetop) and make a double batch of herb-marinated chicken tonight to use in two meals. Smarts #1: The marinade for the chicken and the dressing for the pasta salad are made with similar ingredients, so be sure to get all of the ingredients out and make both at once. Smarts #2: If you have time to prep ahead, assemble the entire pasta salad and let it sit in the fridge. The flavors will blend together as it sits. Cooking methods: This recipe includes instructions for using the grill or stovetop. Select your preferred method.
Chicken breast, boneless and skinless (enough for two nights) - 2 lbs , halved to thin
Lemony Pasta Salad:
Pasta, any fun shape - 8 oz
Lemon juice - 1 Tbsp
Vinegar, red or white wine - 1 Tbsp
Mustard, Dijon - 2 tsp
Oregano, dried - 1/2 tsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Honey - 1/2 tsp
Oil, olive - 3 Tbsp
Broccoli - 1 lb , finely chopped
Bell peppers, red - 1/2 , diced
Beans, garbanzo (14 oz / 397 g) - 1 can , drained and rinsed
Olives, any type - 1/2 cup , sliced
(look for pre-sliced to save time)
Choose Cooking Method
Prep
Make marinade - Combine vinegar (portion for chicken), cooking oil, oregano (portion for chicken), and brown sugar. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Marinate chicken - (If prepping right before cooking, get grill heating first. This makes enough for 2 nights.) Slice chicken in half to thin. Add to marinade and tenderize with a fork. Turn to coat in marinade. Marinate for at least 20 minutes and up to a day. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Pasta - Boil pasta according to package directions. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Make dressing - Whisk together lemon juice, vinegar (portion for salad), mustard, oregano (portion for salad), salt, honey, and olive oil. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Broccoli / Bell peppers - Prep as directed. Store separately. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Pre-cook Broccoli - Place broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave on high until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Beans - Drain and rinse.
Make pasta salad - Combine pasta, broccoli, bell peppers, beans, and olives. Add half the pasta salad dressing and refrigerate. (Reserve the second half of the dressing to add right before serving.)
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Remove chicken from marinade (discard marinade). Season with some salt and pepper.
Heat grill to 425F / 218C degrees, keeping one part over direct heat and one part over indirect heat.
Brush grates with some oil and place chicken over direct heat. Sear chicken on both sides until lightly charred.
Move chicken to indirect heat and continue cooking until chicken is cooked through, 165F / 74C degrees.
Toss pasta salad with remaining dressing and season with some salt and pepper.
Serve chicken (reserve half for Wednesday) with pasta salad. Enjoy!
If you want to get a head start on Wednesday’s meal, go ahead and thinly slice the portion of chicken for that night.
Prep
Make marinade - Combine vinegar (portion for chicken), cooking oil, oregano (portion for chicken), and brown sugar. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Marinate chicken - (This makes enough for 2 nights.) Slice chicken in half to thin. Add to marinade and tenderize with a fork. Turn to coat in marinade. Marinate for at least 20 minutes and up to a day. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Pasta - Boil pasta according to package directions. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Make dressing - Whisk together lemon juice, vinegar (portion for salad), mustard, oregano (portion for salad), salt, honey, and olive oil. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Broccoli / Bell peppers - Prep as directed. Store separately. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
Pre-cook Broccoli - Place broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave on high until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. (Can be done 1 day ahead)
Beans - Drain and rinse.
Make pasta salad - Combine pasta, broccoli, bell peppers, beans, and olives. Add half the pasta salad dressing and refrigerate. (Reserve the second half of the dressing to add right before serving.)
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Remove chicken from marinade (discard marinade). Season with some salt and pepper.
Heat a large grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Brush with some cooking oil. Add chicken and sear until both sides are deep golden brown, ~3 minutes on each side.
Reduce heat to low-medium and cover pan with a lid or foil. Continue cooking until chicken is cooked through, 165F / 74C degrees.
Toss pasta salad with remaining dressing and season with some salt and pepper.
Serve chicken (reserve half for Wednesday) with pasta salad. Enjoy!
If you want to get a head start on Wednesday’s meal, go ahead and thinly slice the portion of chicken for that night.