Peanut miso chicken noodle soup

Warming and super-quick for a chilly weeknight supper, and such a good way to use up leftover chicken

  • ½ tbsp vegetable oil
  • ½ tbsp chilli crisp
  • 2 cloves of garlic, grated
  • 1 inch of fresh ginger, peeled and grated
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • Zest and juice of ½ lime
  • 4 spring onions, finely sliced – whites and greens separated
  • 1 tbsp miso paste
  • 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter
  • 1 tbsp tahini
  • 400ml coconut milk
  • 400ml chicken stock
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Noodles for 2
  • Cooked chicken, cut into bitesized pieces
  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Fresh coriander
  1. Heat the veg oil and chilli crisp in a saucepan over medium
  2. Add the garlic, ginger, turmeric, lime zest and white parts of the spring onions to the pan and fry for a couple of mins
  3. Add the miso, peanut butter, tahini, coconut milk, chicken stock and salt. Stir to combine and bring to a bubble
  4. In the meantime, cook the noodles separately in boiling water
  5. Split the noodles and cold chicken between 2 bowls, and ladle over the soup
  6. Sprinkle over the green spring onion, coriander and sesame seeds, plus some extra cricpy chilli if you like
  7. Squeeze over the lime and serve

Spice bag chicken and chips

The ultimate post-pub munch! A make-at-home take on the Irish chip shop classic. Minimal redeeming features nutritionally, maximum easy, finger-food deliciousness. Feeds 2

  • 200g oven chips
  • 300g battered chicken mini fillets
  • 1 red pepper, sliced
  • 1 onion, finely sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp veg oil
  • Spice mix – ½ tsp white pepper, ½ tsp flaky salt, ½ tsp dried chilli, ¼ tsp five spice powder, pinch of sugar
  • Mayonnaise
  1. Mix spices together in a little bowl
  2. Cook the chips and chicken in the oven or air fryer
  3. Meanwhile, stir fry the peppers and onion until soft and blackened around the edges. Add the garlic just before the end
  4. Take chicken and chips out of the oven and tip into a big bowl with the veg and spice mix
  5. Drizzle over mayo and tuck in

Sticky tamarind & chilli chicken wings

Made with sour twangy tamarind, with a kick of chilli, mellowed with honey – grab some paper towel because you’re going to get sticky.

  • 12 chicken wings
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp five spice powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp dried garlic powder
  • ½ tsp chilli powder
  • 2 tsp vegetable oil
  • 2 tbsp runny honey
  • 1 tbsp tamarind paste
  • 1 tbsp sriracha or other chilli sauce
  • 6 spring onions, finely chopped
  • Sesame seeds, toasted
  1. Put the baking powder, five spice, salt, garlic powder and chilli powder into a large bowl and mix
  2. Add the chicken wings and toss through the dry brine mixture until evenly coated
  3. Cover the bowl and leave in the fridge for an hour
  4. While they’re resting, pre-heat the oven to 200C fan (220C). Cover a baking sheet with foil and coat with the veg oil
  5. Place the wings in a single layer on the oiled foiled baking sheet and put into the oven
  6. Bake for 10 mins then turn down the heat to 160C fan (180C) for 40 mins, flipping the wings over half way through
  7. Mix the glaze – the honey, tamarind and sriracha – together in a large heatproof bowl
  8. When the wings are cooked, throw them into the bowl and gently toss (or use tongs to turn them over) until they’re thoroughly coated
  9. Leave to one side to cool slightly and allow the glaze to dry to a sticky coat
  10. Garnish with spring onion and sesame seeds. Try to avoid consuming them on the way to the table/sofa. Maybe next time double the recipe, just to be on the safe side

Sticky crispy gochujang chicken

Delicious indulgent, spicy Sunday evening dinner. Feeds 2 generously

  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 heaped tbsp gochujang
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 400g chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp cornflour
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • ½ tsp white pepper
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp veg oil
  1. Mix the sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, gochujang and rice vinegar in a small bowl with 2 tbsp water
  2. Mix the cornflour, sesame seeds, pepper and salt in a bowl and toss the chicken pieces in it
  3. Heat the oil in a deep frying pan, shake off the chicken pieces and fry until crispy, toasty brown and cooked through
  4. Add the sauce to the pan, mix through and heat until bubbly, sticky and coating the chicken
  5. Serve over rice, sprinkled with chopped spring onions and toasted sesame seeds

White chilli

Comforting chicken casserole with Tex-Mex flavours, pale creams and beiges, offset with flashes of green on top. Classic spoon eating.

  • 1 tbsp veg oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Black pepper
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 2 large green chillis, finely chopped
  • 1 yellow pepper, chopped
  • 600ml chicken stock
  • 1 tin cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 100ml milk
  • Meat from 4 chicken thighs, poached for 8 mins in the stock and then chopped/shredded
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 tbsp cornflour mixed with 2 tbsp cold water
  • Fresh coriander, avocado, grated cheddar, tortilla chips, pickled jalapenos
  1. Heat the the oil in a large saucepan, add the onion and cook over a medium heat for 5 mins until soft
  2. Add garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, coriander, chilli and yellow pepper
  3. Stir and cook for 5 mins, then add the stock. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 mins
  4. Add the milk, cannellini beans and chicken. Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 mins
  5. Finally stir in the lime juice and the cornflour slurry and stir until thickened
  6. Serve with rice, sprinkled with fresh coriander, diced avocado, grated cheese, crumbled tortilla chips and pickled jalapenos

Chicken wonton meatballs

A delectable naked wonton for when simplicity is more important than authenticity. A perfect addition to soups, noodles, egg-fried rice. If you’re feeling extra, eat them banh mi-style in a baguette with spicy mayo, pickled carrot, cucumber ribbons and fresh coriander. Or just have them plain in a lunchbox next to some sugar snap peas and sweet chilli sauce for dipping.

  • 400g minced chicken
  • 4 spring onions, roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 inch ginger, peeled and chopped
  • Small handful fresh coriander
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp white pepper
  • 3 tbsp cornflour
  • 1 egg
  • Veg oil
  1. With a hand blender or small food processor, puree the spring onions, garlic, ginger and coriander with athe soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar and white pepper
  2. In a mixing bowl, beat the egg and then add the aromatic puree you’ve just created, plus the chicken mince and cornflour
  3. Mix well. The texture is very odd, but trust the process
  4. Leave to stand for 15 mins to firm up a bit
  5. Heat a large frying pan with a swirl of veg oil and use a spoon to plop meatballs/mini-burgers into the pan
  6. Cook for a few mins on each side until golden and cooked through

Oh oh, you could also join the very trendy trend on tiktok and have this as a SMASH TACO (because I know about these things due to being Very Young and Hip of course). If you want to do this, it is delicious as well as being fashionable. Just follow all the steps up to #4 and then press the mixture in a thin-ish layer onto small soft tacos. And then press a coating of sesame seeds onto the top of the chicken (being careful not to contaminate your entire stock of sesame seeds with your chickeny hands). Cook them face-down in a large frying pan in a smidge of oil, and when brown flip them over and toast face-up briefly. Top with an artful drizzle of sriracha mayo, shredded lettuce, fresh coriander and fold in half to eat by the glow of your ring light.

Pad thai chicken

So quick, so noodlycrunchyfreshtangysweetsavoury, so so tasty! Feeds 2

  • 250g wide rice noodles
  • 50ml tamarind paste
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 3 tbsp fish sauce
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp veg oil
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 spring onions, sliced lengthways and cut into 2 inch pieces
  • 1 chicken breast, sliced into very thin pieces
  • 1 carrot, cut into 2 inch lengths and julienned
  • 100g crispy tofu pieces
  • Handful of beansprouts
  • Large handful roasted unsalted peanuts, crushed into coarse meal/small pieces
  • Fresh coriander, chopped
  • Couple of lime wedges

Word to the wise – do ALL your prep beforehand because this one moves fast once you start!

  1. Cook the noodles for 2 mins less than the packet says and then drain, rinse in cold water and leave them submerged in cold water until you need them (or soak them in cold water for an hour – I am never this organised)
  2. Combine the tamarind, water, fish sauce, sugar and lime juice
  3. Heat 1 tbsp veg oil in a wok, swirl it round and add the egg. Cook without breaking up for a couple of mins, then flip it for a moment and tip it out of the wok. Cut it into small pieces
  4. Re-heat the wok scorching hot, add the other 1 tbsp oil. Add the garlic and spring onions, stir together briefly
  5. Add the chicken and stir cook for 1 min. Then add the tofu pieces and julienned carrot, stir cooking for 2 mins more
  6. Turn the heat down to medium, add the drained noodles and stir in, then pour in the tamarind sauce
  7. Continue to cook and stir until the noodles are soft and the sauce has mostly been absorbed
  8. Stir through the bean sprouts and half the crushed peanuts
  9. Serve immediately in 2 big bowls, topped with fresh coriander, the rest of the crushed peanuts and a lime wedge on the side. Tuck. In.

Satay chicken

It’s the chicken that matches this sauce! Also just eat it on its own because it’s ridiculously delicious.

  • 1.5kg chicken thighs, cut into small pieces
  • 3 tbsp veg oil
  • 3 stalks lemongrass, trimmed and roughly chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 1 onion, roughly chopped
  • 3 tsp turmeric
  • 1½ tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 3 tbsp light brown sugar
  1. Whizz together the marinade ingredients (everything but the chicken)
  2. Pour the marinade over the chicken pieces, mix well and leave in the fridge for at least 6 hours
  3. Thread onto bamboo skewers and grill on high until cooked through and just starting to catch around the edges
  4. Serve with delicious nutty satay sauce, sticky rice and a pineapple and cucumber salad

One pot Hainanese chicken rice

Manages to be the most delicately delicious and comforting meal, whilst also being a super-simple weeknight dinner. Not authentic, but well worth eating anyway. Feeds 4

  • 350g basmati rice, washed
  • 600ml boiling water mixed with 1 chicken stock cube, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 0.5 tbsp turmeric, 1 tbsp sesame oil and a pinch white pepper
  • 4 spring onions, trimmed and lightly squished
  • 6 slices ginger
  • 4 garlic cloves, squished with the side of your knife
  • 2 stalks lemongrass, trimmed and squished with the side of your knife
  • 8 small chicken thighs
  1. Put a large saucepan or deep frying pan with a lid over a high heat
  2. Brown the chicken thighs in a little oil briefly over high heat. Then remove from the pann
  3. Add the rice, stock, spring onions, ginger, garlic and lemongrass
  4. Stir together, bring to the boil and place the chicken thighs on top
  5. Pop the lid on and turn down to a simmer
  6. Cook for 20 mins, then leave off the heat with the lid on to steam for a further 10 mins
  7. Remove all the bits from the rice and slice the chicken
  8. Serve the rice and sliced chicken with some sliced cucumber and dipping sauces – this could include chilli vinegar sauce, a sweetened soy sauce (like kecap manis) and a dip made of finely minced coriander, spring onion and ginger with a couple of tbsp hot oil poured over

Chicken tikka pizza

With apologies to both India and Italy, this is their brazenly delicious lovechild.

If you have leftover chicken tikka in the fridge and you don’t feel like making a salad, I’ve got you covered… it’s the very definition of a low effort/high flavour weeknight dinner. Makes 4 individual pizzas

The pizza sauce … Although of course you don’t have to make sauce from scratch, it is super-simple and tasty – and I’m more likely to have the ingredients lying around than I am to have a ready-made sauce. And this is a modified butter chicken sauce, so it tastes brilliant. And can be made in advance to save time on for dinner.

  • 3 tbsp veg oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
  • Thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
  • ½ onion, roughly chopped
  • 300 g tomato passata
  • ½ tsp ground fenugreek
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp kashmiri chilli powder
  • ½ tsp honey
  • Salt and pepper
  1. In a little whizzer, blend the onion, garlic and ginger
  2. Heat the veg oil in a saucepan and add the onion mix
  3. Cook for 5 mins or so until soft
  4. Add all the rest of the sauce ingredients and stir together
  5. Bring to a bubble and then cook over a low heat, stirring occasionally, for about an hour
  6. It should be thick, dark red and reduced – more a paste than a sauce

And then it’s just a construction job!

  • 2-4 ready-made pizza bases (depending on size)
  • Pieces of chicken tikka, cut into bite-size morsels
  • ½ red onion, sliced into thin half moons
  • 1 large green chilli, deseeded and sliced into thin rings
  • ½ red pepper, cut into thin slices
  • 400g grated mozzarella
  • Fresh coriander, chopped
  1. Pre-heat the oven to 200C fan (220C)
  2. Smear the sauce liberally over the pizza bases
  3. Divide the toppings evenly between them
  4. Sprinkle over the mozzarella
  5. Bake for 12-13 mins until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is brown
  6. Pull out of the oven, sprinkle with fresh coriander and cut into slices
  7. Serve straight away, with a small bowl of plain yoghurt topped with a swirl of mango chutney for dipping the crusts in