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Monday through Friday Lunch

A quick and flavorful lunch dish perfect for the busy week, combining chicken or chickpeas with rice and vegetables, topped with fresh ingredients.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 lb diced chicken breast or chickpeas Use chickpeas for a vegetarian option.
  • 1 cup chopped bell peppers Can be red, green, or yellow.
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish and Optional Toppings
  • Fresh as needed parsley, for garnishing
  • sliced cucumbers Optional
  • cherry tomatoes Optional
  • plain yogurt (Halal varieties) Optional

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Rinse and prepare your rice according to package directions. If using chicken, ensure it’s cut into bite-sized pieces. If using chickpeas, drain and rinse well.
Cooking
  1. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until translucent.
  2. Stir in the minced garlic and diced chicken (or chickpeas) and cook for about 5-7 minutes (for chicken) until cooked through, or until chickpeas are heated well.
  3. Sprinkle in the cumin, paprika, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Stir until the spices coat the chicken/chickpeas and you can smell their aroma blending beautifully together.
  4. Toss in the chopped bell peppers and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften slightly.
  5. Gently mix in the cooked rice until evenly blended into the chicken/chickpeas and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together until heated through.
  6. Garnish with fresh parsley and your choice of toppings like sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, or a dollop of yogurt. Enjoy your meal warm!

Notes

Feel free to swap the chicken for any Halal-friendly protein, such as turkey or tofu. For a hearty twist, try adding some black beans or quinoa. Ensure you have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go to save time. Don’t rush the sautéing step to develop flavors.