Spicy chicken with wheat berries

Ingredients

- 1 cup wheat berries
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp oil (1+1)
- 1 onion
- ¼ cup coriander leaves
- 3 cloves garlic
- 5 shallots
- ½ bell pepper
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 4 cups of water (2+2)
- 1 chicken bouillon cube

To marinate the chicken:

- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ chilli flakes
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp Valentina (or any other hot sauce)

Cooking notes

• This dish is fulfilling in all aspects – with the spice from the hot sauce, the characteristic chewy texture of the wheat berry, and the juicy marinated chicken.

• Wheat berries are a highly nutritious grain that offers several health benefits. With their bran, germ, and endosperm intact, it is an excellent source of dietary fiber. However, if you’re not a fan of their nutty chewiness, you can replace with rice or quinoa, and just alter the cooking time accordingly. Read more about wheat berries here.

• Makes about 4 portions.

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Prepare the

wheat berries

Wash and soak the wheat berries in 2 cups of water, preferably for 30 minutes.

Step 2

Chop the chicken into bite-size pieces. Add all the ingredients for the marinade to the chicken, mix well, and set aside for 15 minutes.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a deep skillet on medium. Once hot, add the chicken, and cook for 4-5 minutes till it browns. Remove from pan and keep aside.

Step 4

Run the onion, coriander leaves, garlic, shallots, and bell pepper in a food processor to dice and mix well.

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step 5: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet and sauté the ground vegetables on medium until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the diced tomato and cook for another minute.

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STEP 6: Add the drained wheat berries, and stir for 1 minute.

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STEP 7: Add the remaining 2 cups of water. Crush and add the bouillon cube, and make sure it dissolves nicely. Add ½ tsp of salt if needed (usually the stock cubes have salt).

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Step 8: Once the pot starts simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover and allow it to cook for 30 minutes.

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step 9: After 30 minutes, add the chicken, mix with the wheat berries nicely, and put the lid back on. Cook for another 30 minutes. Ready to serve!

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