
After a break from recipes over the last few weeks, we're back in 2021 stronger than ever with this warm, comforting dish! It's delicious, flavorful and easy to make! I hope you give it a go - it's so worth it!
This recipe can be made vegetarian by omitting the chicken - you can use tofu for protein, or more veggies! I made sure to use silicone utensils instead of plastic and stainless steel pots to decrease the risk of environmental toxins that can come from non-stick cookware and plastic. If you want to learn more about safer utensils, click here to go to our page!
I used sweet potato here because not only is it a delicious, creamy vegetable that works perfectly in Indian recipes, it's also packed with nutrients! It's a root vegetable and contains antioxidants, is anti-inflammatory and can fight diseases. The beautiful color of the sweet potato comes from its caretenoid, beta-carotene, which is a natural pigment. It is also an antioxidant, which can protect against aging and chronic diseases by supporting your immune system. It can also be converted into vitamin A by our bodies, which contributes to optimal eye health and vision. So, maybe its not just carrots that can make us see better ;-)
The turmeric in this recipe is a necessary spice in any Indian dish, and it can give a beautiful yellow color when a lot of it is used! Turmeric has many health benefits, hence why it's called the 'Spice of Life'! Along with helping maintain healthy cholesterol levels, it can help battle a number of diseases, such as Parkinson's & Alzheimer's disease through it's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agents; osteoarthritis, by improving our body's physiological pathways; and almost every type of cancer.
Cumin is another important spice in Indian cooking, and for good reason! It's super flavorful and has many health benefits. It's packed with antioxidants and is a great source of dietary fiber, vitamins A, E, B and C, as well as iron, copper, zinc, potassium and manganese! It has also been proven to alleviate stress, manage respiratory disorders, manage diabetes and may have anticancer properties.
Kale is a great dark, leafy green to use in this recipe because you can use a large bunch and it wilts into almost nothing, meaning you can totally pack in the nutrients! Kale contains a large number of vitamins, including vitamin K, which plays a role in your bone and heart health, vitamin A, and vitamin C, which boosts the immune system and improves cardiovascular function. Kale is also a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help fight inflammation, build cells, reduce risk of heart disease, stroke, or cardiac arrest.
If you recreate these recipes, be sure to post them on Instagram and tag us @lorrainekearneynutrition; we love to see you eating delicious, nutritious foods!
Indian Kale with Chicken & Sweet Potato
Total Time: 20-25 mins
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 cup quinoa, or grain of choice
3 tablespoons oil
4 cups cubed skinless boneless chicken
2 cups sweet potato, cubed
⅛ teaspoon turmeric powder
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon cumin
Salt
6 cups kale, de-stemmed and chopped
Directions:
Cook quinoa (or chosen grain) according to instructions on packet.
Heat oil in a pan or skillet; add chicken and sweet potato. Turn the chicken and sweet potato occasionally until the chicken is browned on all sides.
Add turmeric powder, black pepper, and cumin; stir.
Add the chopped kale; stir cook until the kale wilts.
Divide into four servings. Add two servings to Tupperware containers, and save for lunch the next day. Transfer the remaining servings to two dinner plates. Enjoy!