Lunch recipe

Zesty Lemon Chicken Pea Rice Salad Boxes with Cucumber and Parsley

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Warm-cooked chicken, rice, peas, cucumber, tomatoes, parsley, and lemon dressing for packable lunches.

35 min535 kcal4 base servingsLunchPacked Lunch FriendlyFamily FriendlyFilling Lunch
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Recipe and nutrition estimates

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Focus ingredients: chicken breast, basmati rice, peas, cucumber

Dietary fit: Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Lower Sugar

Serving tip: Cool the rice and chicken quickly before packing for lunches.

Lemon Chicken Pea Rice Salad Boxes plated and ready to serve.

Image: Shop Sorted generated asset

Ingredients

What you need

  • 500g chicken breast
  • 280g basmati rice
  • 200g frozen peas
  • 1 cucumber
  • 250g cherry tomatoes
  • 1 red pepper
  • 20g parsley
  • 2 lemon
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

You'll also need

lidded saucepan, large frying pan, large mixing bowl, whisk, knife, chopping board

Method

Step by step

Up to 8 clear steps
  1. Lemon Chicken Pea Rice Salad Boxes cooking step 1: Prep the salad ingredients.
    Step 1

    Prep the salad ingredients

    Dice the cucumber and red pepper, halve the cherry tomatoes, chop the parsley, grate the garlic, zest the lemons, and cut the zested lemons into wedges.

    12 min
  2. Lemon Chicken Pea Rice Salad Boxes cooking step 2: Cook the rice and peas.
    Step 2

    Cook the rice and peas

    Rinse the rice, then cook in a lidded pan with 560ml water and a pinch of salt for 10 minutes. Scatter the peas over the rice, cover again, and cook for 4 minutes more. Rest off the heat for 5 minutes.

    19 min
  3. Lemon Chicken Pea Rice Salad Boxes cooking step 3: Season the chicken.
    Step 3

    Season the chicken

    Slice the chicken into thin strips. Toss with the garlic, half the lemon zest, oregano, 1 tablespoon olive oil, a pinch of salt, and black pepper.

    5 min
  4. Lemon Chicken Pea Rice Salad Boxes cooking step 4: Cook the chicken.
    Step 4

    Cook the chicken

    Heat a large non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes, turning often, until golden in places and piping hot through.

    7 min
  5. Lemon Chicken Pea Rice Salad Boxes cooking step 5: Dress the rice.
    Step 5

    Dress the rice

    Whisk the remaining lemon zest and juice with the remaining olive oil, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Fluff the pea rice into a large bowl, add the cucumber, tomatoes, pepper, parsley, and dressing, then toss gently.

    6 min
  6. Lemon Chicken Pea Rice Salad Boxes cooking step 6: Pack and finish.
    Step 6

    Pack and finish

    Divide the rice salad between lunch boxes and top with the warm chicken. Cool before chilling, then serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over.

    4 min