Chicken chorizo and halloumi bake - You can make it ahead of time, it’s delicious as leftovers healthy & simple to make - the perfect dinner.
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I originally wrote this post a while ago but I've left the story in because it's still so relevant today. If you don't want to read it then skip down to the chicken and halloumi bake recipe.
A little mum story...
Let me take you back to the time I made a decision.
I need to be a bit more real about things. I need to do this for myself and I need to do this for you. A couple of weeks ago I posted a #keepingitreal post on Facebook.
It was a photo of me holding my bub on one hip, flipping pancakes (that did not really resemble pancakes they were so dodgy) and out of the shot was my toddler on the floor screaming.
You might be interested to check these 9 tips to get kids to eat dinner.
I was holding the baby cause that’s the only way he’d stop crying and I was contemplating joining them and letting the tears flow.
Some mornings, really some days are like this. They’re a battle, they’re really hard and sometimes all I want to do is cry. Being a mum is really hard work.
There is always something that needs doing and there are two people who for nearly 12 hours a day, rely on me and only me for their every need. The sheer responsibility of that can feel very heavy some days.
When I get out of the house I can almost guarantee that it hasn’t been smooth sailing.
That I would have said (or yelled eek) some version of the phrases ‘you need to get dressed,’ ‘let me change your nappy,’ ‘stay still for 5 seconds,’ ‘get your shoes’ at least five times.
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On the other side there are days where I just gaze in wonder at the amazing little people we have created. I stare at every detail of their little faces and soak it all in.
I kiss them a gazillion times a day (ok that happens even on not-so-good days).
I marvel watching them learn and explore. I am amazed every day but the little people they are growing into and how much they change even in a day.
There are so many people that post sparkling pictures of the shiny side of life as if that is the only side to it.
Yes it’s uplifting and shiny things are happy but it can make regular people just like me feel like a bit of a failure at times and I didn’t want to be one of those people making other people feel like a failure (not that anything I post is ever perfect anyway!).
I’m just like everyone else. I have my moments, minutes, hours and days where things are far from sunshine and rainbows.
By sharing more of the real side of life, maybe people who are really struggling will be more comfortable telling other people or asking for help. The saying it takes a village to raise a child - it’s so true even if it's just having some other villagers to share things with.
What’s all this got to do with chicken halloumi and chorizo bake? My wonderful friend came over a couple of weeks ago to visit and she brought lunch.
It may not seem like much to some people but to me it meant a lot.
I spend all my time looking after people and having someone else look after me just for one meal was such a treat especially when she has her own little people to look after.
It was absolutely delicious and having a cooked lunch - chicken, halloumi bake - and an adult to share it with made this Mumma’s day.
Of course I had to recreate it and of course I couldn’t leave the original recipe alone.
I added some chorizo and capsicum under the chicken as well as my friends shallot addition and it was good. Really really good. Not only is it delicious but:
- You can make it ahead of time - make it in the morning or the night before and have it totally ready for the oven. I made mine at lunch time then 30 minutes before dinner, threw it and some potato in the oven and dinner was done.
- It’s really yummy as leftovers - I had it for lunch the next day (just heated it up in the oven with a bit of extra halloumi on top)
- It’s pretty healthy
Enjoy!
Recipe
Chicken chorizo and halloumi bake
Ingredients
- 1 red capsicum sliced
- 1 small chorizo about 100g/3.5oz) diced
- 2 Chicken breast cut into big pieces about the size of a burger pattie
- 150 g 5.3oz halloumi cut into 2cm thick slices
- 2 shallots finely sliced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 6 sprigs thyme or lemon thyme
- Extra lemon juice to serve
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 180C/(400F) fan-forced.
- Lay the capsicum and chorizo out in the bottom of a baking tray about 25x20cm (just big enough to fit all the chicken in a single layer).
- Lay the chicken on top then cover the chicken with the halloumi.
- In a small bowl or I just use a tea cup, mix up the honey, olive oil and lemon zest and pour them over the chicken and halloumi.
- Lay the sprigs of thyme on top.
- Cook for 30 minutes.
- Serve with a rocket salad or potato (I went with potato for dinner, salad for lunch) and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Helen says
I’m just cooking this now, but the shallots were missed out of the method, so you might need to add that bit in! :) Hope it’s as delicious as it sounds!
Claire says
Oops thanks for letting me know Helen! I hope you enjoyed it. Claire
Diane J says
Thanks for the recipe, Claire - and for sharing about some of your daily challenges. Well do I remember the days when I was at home with two young children (boys), trying to keep up with shopping, cooking, cleaning, washing, and no family nearby to provide any support or assistance. I must admit, the housekeeping standard slipped for a while but we were all happy and healthy. Keep focussing on those two precious young boys who have been entrusted to your care - life is pretty amazing.
Claire says
It sure is isn't it Diane!
Aless says
Oh, Claire- I was JUST where you are 30something years ago, and I often dissolved into tears. Why was it so HARD!!!!! I'm so glad you have a friend to bring you lunch/be an adult to talk to, as I wasn't so fortunate (we had moved to a new area and knew no other mums at that time). I worry so much about the pressure society is putting on new mums/parents (but we know it's really just the mums!!). I was explaining the negative role of social media to my beloved husband just this morning!! ALL mums should feel that they are OK just-as-they-are (but feel able to ask for help from friends,family, neighbours, professionals, if struggling)-forget the "WonderMums"(who are either unreasonably blessed or lying).....You ARE just right for YOUR kids. If you can do just one thing each day (mine was to get the cloth nappies washed!!!) you are a success!! Any more, and you're brilliant!!! Keep it real, Claire. Others are hanging on your every word as they too dread hearing yet again about the "WonderMums". By the way.....our 2 did survive childhood with a struggling mum and are now very confident, high achieving adults. We love each other very much!! :-)
Claire says
Aless thank you so much for your lovely words. You are so right about the pressure put on mums right now. I wish everyone could be more open and honest and supportive of each other!
Mary @ LOVE the secret ingredient says
So handy being able to prep a lot beforehand and just pop it in the oven to finish it. This recipe looks great!
Claire says
So good isn't it Mary?!