Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs & Chorizo Bean Stew

Cost – Approx. £7.25

A great hearty meal for during the week, easy to make and on the table quickly. This can even work with or without the chicken and served over mash or rice.

Chicken thighs are very cheap and very juicy cuts of chicken. Hard to overcook and can be either skinless/boneless or on-the-bone depending on preference.

Feel free to experiment with this recipe. For example cook some sausages and throw them into the stew during cooking and have those instead of the chicken. Or try adding more veg etc.

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INGREDIENTS

2-3 Raw chicken thighs per person £1.80-£2.90

1.5 tbsp oil

1 Lemon £0.30

1 Clove of garlic minced or finely diced £0.10

1 tbsp dry oregano or thyme or mixed herbs

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Stew

1 onion finely diced £0.15

200g chorizo sliced £1.90

2 400g tins chopped tomatoes £0.70

2 400g tins of butter beans or similar alternative drained £0.80

1 tub pesto £1.50

Preheat the oven to 180C

For the thighs

1. Place the thighs in a roasting dish and coat in the oil. Grate over the zest of one lemon and season with salt and pepper. Add the garlic and the herbs and toss to coat evenly.

2. Place in the fridge to marinate while you make the stew.

The Stew

1. Heat a non stick frying pan over medium heat and add the chorizo. The red fragrant oils should start rendering from the chorizo slices after about a few minutes or so.

2. Add the onion and fry for another few minutes until the onion is translucent and the chorizo is starting to crisp up.

3. Add the sausages at this point if you’re not having the chicken.

4. Once the onion has softened and the chorizo is crisp, add the chopped tomatoes and the butter beans and stir.

5. Put the chicken in the oven at this point.

6. Bring to a boil and then turn down the heat and simmer uncovered for 10 – 15 mins. It should be ready when the chicken is cooked through.

You can’t overcook the stew so if it needs longer while the chicken bakes then just leave it on the hob.

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All these meals are designed to feed up to four people for £10 or under. Assuming you have these basic staples in the store cupboard: Oil, butter, flour, salt and pepper, dried herbs and spices, soy sauce, tomato purée etc.

Most of the recipes can be made vegetarian/pescatarian by simply leaving out the meat source or swapping it with a substitute.