By MACROS | Published on March 2, 2017
Banish hunger with this post-workout, protein-filled spicy Kung Pao chicken recipe that’ll refuel your depleted energy stores with some exotic flavours.
344 calories | 3g fibre | 17g carbs | 38g protein | 13g fat | 6.5g sugar
Serves 5
You’ll Need
- 900g chopped chicken breasts
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- 2 cups snow peas
- 2/ cups chopped colourful bell peppers (red, yellow, orange)
- 1 cup raw cashews
- Spray extra virgin olive oil
Seasoning
- 4 tbsp Bragg Liquid Aminos
- 4 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp tomato sauce/paste or ketchup
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 1 tbsp red chilli pepper sauce
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
Garnish
- Chopped spring onions
Method
Step 1: In a bowl, add ingredients for the sauce and whisk together.
Step 2: Set a non-stick skillet on medium high heat and spray with extra virgin olive oil.
Step 3: When the skillet is hot, toss in garlic and sear for about two minutes. Then add chopped chicken breasts. Cook the chicken for about six to eight minutes until the outside of it is seared.
Step 4: Next, toss in chopped bell peppers and sear for about three minutes. Stir the mixture with a wooden spatula.
Step 5: Slowly pour in the sauce little by little and stir frequently with a spatula.
Step 6: Toss in the raw cashews and stir.
Step 7: Garnish with spring onions and enjoy with brown rice or quinoa.
– RELATED: Spicy Chicken Fried Quinoa Recipe –
Key superfoods
Nuts about heart health
The nuts are more than a garnish. They can lower your cholesterol, blood pressure and inflammation, found research in the journal Nutrients. Cashews in particular are loaded with magnesium that’ll stop any kind of cramp from getting a foothold in your muscles while you’re training. Live longer, train harder, my friend.
Curb hunger with vinegar
This recipe calls for vinegar, which goes a long way toward doubling your health benefits. Research at the Institute of Food Technologists found that different types of vinegars offer various benefits, like improved cardiovascular health, better blood pressure, decreased appetite and increased vigour after exercise. It’s probably the healthiest thing you can put on your chips.
Protect your stomach from aches
Arrowroot might be a nondescript starch that doesn’t taste like much, but it is understated in its power. This starch acts like a powerful anti-pathogen against food-borne illnesses, found research in the Journal of Food Protection. So if your lunch is unrefrigerated for a spell it’s less likely to make you sick. Think of it as an in-built protection agent for your food’s well-being.