This Lemon Coconut Sorbet is based on the viral Tik Tok Lemon sorbet, but I think this will taste a lot better. The Tik Tok version used whole lemons (skin, pith, seeds and all) and whilst this will save you a few minutes prep time, if you use lemons with thick pith and seeds, it…
nutfree
Japanese Dressing
Liven up any leafy greens with this oishii (delicious) Japanese dressing! Fresh ginger and garlic with rice wine vinegar, tamari and sesame oil all contribute to the deep umami flavours of this dressing. If you love salads but you like to keep mixing up the dressings, this is a definite one to add to the…
One Pan Moroccan Meatballs (with rice)
I’m excited to bring a taste of Morocco to your kitchen with a recipe that’s not only a breeze to whip up but also a beautiful combo of flavours: One Pan Moroccan beef or lamb Meatballs with Rice. Picture this โ a delicious blend of spices, succulent meatballs, and perfectly cooked rice, all coming together…
Quick Thai Red Curry Noodle Soup
This quick Thai Red Curry Noodle Soup is a recipe that not only promises a burst of Thai-inspired goodness but also does so with utmost ease. Life has a way of keeping us on our toes, and in those moments when time is of the essence, this recipe emerges as a true kitchen saviour. What…
Vegan Lentil Loaf
This vegan lentil loaf is a member’s request to make a nut-free, super budget friendly savoury loaf. Lentils, mushrooms, vegetables, herbs and spices are the foundational ingredients here, providing valuable nutrition, fibre and most importantly, flavour! This lentil loaf is great sliced and served with veggies or salad, or can also be sliced and used…
One Pot Smoky Chicken Penne
This One Pot Smoky Chicken Penne is a fuss-free meal thatโs rich, hearty, and perfect for a busy weeknights. Plus being cooked in one pot, means there’s just one pot to wash up! The addition of smoky paprika gives this meal a very savoury aroma and the fresh basil provides a wonderful fresh herby taste.
Health benefits
Packed with chicken for protein, this meal also incorporates spinach and basil for added fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants. The olive oil adds healthy fats, and using gluten-free pasta makes it suitable for those with dietary restrictions. Including chicken broth in the sauce adds important minerals and gut support too. Give this one a try next time you need a quick mid-week dinner! There’s approximately 50g protein per serve (if including the cheese) and about 5g fibre.
Ingredients in One Pot Smoky Chicken Penne
Simple ingredients like chicken mince, smoked paprika, tomato passata, and gluten-free pasta come together with fresh basil and optional cheddar cheese for a well-rounded, delicious meal.
How to make this One Pot Smoky Chicken Penne
The best part about this meal is that you don’t need a second pot to boil the pasta, it is cooked in the sauce in the one pan. Start by sautรฉing the onion and garlic cloves in olive oil, then add chicken mince, breaking it up as it cooks. Stir in paprika, thyme, passata, and broth or stock, then add pasta and simmer. Once the pasta is added the cooking time is just 15 minutes. Fold in baby spinach and basil, and top with grated cheddar cheese (or parmesan cheese) if desired before grilling until bubbly.
Serving suggestions and how to store
Serve with a fresh green salad for a complete meal. Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container, and reheat gently in a low oven until warmed through.
Vary this to suit your dietary needs
Omit the cheese for dairy-free, and for gluten-free, use a gluten-free pasta as listed. Swap penne for macaroni or shells if preferred, and feel free to add extra veggies like carrots or cauliflower. For a tomato-free version, replace passata with a no-tomato sauce substitute. If you don’t like thyme, sub with oregano.
Take a look at the variations (below the main recipe) for suggestions to alter the recipe to suit many specific dietary requirements.
For more easy, healthy dinner recipes, click HERE.
One Pot Smoky Chicken Penne
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 onion/s – diced
- 4 clove/s garlic – minced
- 800 g chicken mince
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ยฝ tsp dried thyme
- 700 g tomato passata (puree)
- 500 ml stock or broth
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
- 250 g gluten-free penne pasta – I use Ceres Organic Quinoa Rice Penne
- 60 g spinach leaves – chopped
- 1 bunch/s fresh basil leaves – chopped
- 100 g cheddar cheese – grated, optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet or pot over medium heat, add olive oil and onion and saute for a few minutes until translucent.
- Add the garlic and chicken mince and saute, breaking up the chicken as it cooks, until almost cooked all the way through.
- Add the paprika, thyme, passata, broth/stock and season well. Stir well and bring to a rapid simmer over a medium-high heat.
- Add the pasta to the pot, stirring every 5 minutes or so, until cooked, approximately 15 minutes. If the sauce is becoming a little dry but the pasta still needs cooking, add a splash of water or extra broth.
- Once the pasta is cooked, take it off the heat and stir in the spinach and basil.
- If you like, you can sprinkle over the grated cheese and pop under the grill (broiler) until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve
- Serve with a leafy green salad.
Make Ahead
- Re-heat in a low oven until just hot.
Store
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
Dairy-free
Omit the cheese.Gluten-free
Choose a gluten free pasta.Different pasta
This would be great with a macaroni or shell pasta too.Add vegetables
You can definitely add in any vegetables youโd like โ this dish is a perfect blank canvas! Chop any hard vegetables like carrots fairly small, and add with the onion. Softer vegetables like cauliflower or broccoli can be chopped into florets and added with the chicken.Tomato free
Replace the tomato passata with our No (tomato) sauce. ย ย ย ย ย ยWhat did you think of this delicious One Pot Smoky Chicken Penne…let me know below…
After Dinner Mints
These After Dinner Mints are very quick and easy to make low sugar sweet treat. I sometimes like to have something ‘treatish’ after my evening meal and these are just the ticket! Choc-mint is one of my all time favourite combinations and these little patties taste and smell so delicious. If you’re a choc-mint fan…
Lemon Maple Baked Haloumi
This Lemon Maple Baked Haloumi is an absolute crowd winner for entertaining vegetarian family and friends. Make sure you serve this fresh from the oven while it is hot, melty and delicious! When haloumi cools, it goes rubbery so it must be enjoyed right out of the hot pan. It is incredibly simple to make…
Tropical Smoothie Bowl
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Fruity Rice Paper Parcels
These Fruity Rice Paper Parcels are a simple and versatile sweet treat – like a gluten-free hand pie of sorts. The best thing is you can fill with any fruit you enjoy, although I do highly recommend the rhubarb and strawberry combo. They are best enjoyed hot out of the pan for the ultimate crispness….
Short Cut Tortilla Quiche (in 10 minutes)
I actually drew a blank naming this recipe – it’s just a thing I make when I don’t have much time for prep or to do dishes. My kids have called it a quiche before, hence I thought Short Cut Quiche was reasonable enough! The best part about this recipe apart from how quick and…
Chicken Nuggets
So many kids love Chicken Nuggets, but unfortunately the store bought options leave a lot to be desired. When creating this super simple recipe I wanted to add in some vegetables without them being noticeable and after quite a few attempts, the sweet potato worked best taste and texture wise (but feel free to experiment…
Cookie Monsters
These ‘Cookie Monsters’ cookies are really nourishing, very chocolatey and an easy to make lunchbox treat. Youโll be asking โWho stole the cookie from the cookie jar?โ These cookies featured in my very popular ebook ‘Well Nourished Lunchbox’ and they are coming here to the Family Membership as a special bonus and to make adding…
Spinach Feta Muffins
I love Spinach Feta Muffins and this easy to make savoury snack is simply delicious. The muffin in the photo actually has double the amount of spinach (as I had a heap that I needed to use it up). So feel free to improvise and increase or decrease to suit your taste and supplies. Not…
Lamb Kefta Pita
This Lamb Kefta Pita is a quick and easy to make 30 minute meal that’s perfect to cook on the BBQ through the warmer months. If you want to make it super quick, add ground onion and garlic powder instead of the fresh (approximately a teaspoon of each). Highly recommend the red onion pickle (need…
Thai Red Curry Chicken
The first recipe I’m sharing to use your beautiful Thai Red Curry Paste is in this Thai Red Curry Chicken. It’s a beautiful family friendly meal. I used 6 tablespoons of my home made paste and there was no heat at all. But you will need to judge the amount of paste you add yourself….
Thai Red Curry Paste
As requested, this week I have a beautiful Thai Red Curry Paste from scratch recipe. Curry pastes are such a great thing to whip up and freeze to make quick, tasty Thai curries, stir fry and soups. It’s also delicious in fish cakes. Use it to make this Thai Red Chicken Curry HERE, fish curry…
Tray Baked Rosti
My family loves a good Rosti, but this lazy cook canโt be bothered to cook individual patties. So this is my answer, one big, self-serve Tray Baked Rosti for the family to tuck in to. As well as a great mealtime side, it is delicious for breakfast too. Health Benefits Loads of nutrient dense fibre…
Kale Chips
At the end of winter I harvested a huge amount of kale – there was so much even I was struggling to think of ways to use it all up. Then my kids reminded me about Kale Chips. These are seriously easy to make and incredibly moorish. When my kids were little they went through…
Charred Cos with Royal Dressing
Sometimes it’s the simple things right? This Charred Cos with Royal Dressing is so incredibly delicious. The dressing is the hero of the dish for sure. I’ve opted to char the lettuce but you certainly don’t have to. You’re going to want this salad often, I promise. I love this alongside my protein of choice…
One Pot Bacon Tomato Penne
This delicious, One Pot Bacon Tomato Penne is the easiest, tastiest pasta dish. And best of all, you’ll only have one pan to wash up!! The penne is cooked in the tomato sauce, absorbing the water as well as the flavours of tomato, wine and garlic. This is a great meal to set for older…
Strawberry Almond Loaf
This delicate and slightly jammy Strawberry Almond Loaf is a delicious flavour combination and makes for a moreish moist cake. Naturally gluten/grain free, it can also be easily made dairy-free. I love having slices of this on hand in the freezer for a quick lunchbox filler (if nuts allowed) or to go with an afternoon…
Gentle Detox Tea
After the festive feasts, letโs ease into the New Year with some simple self-care by way of a nourishing and gently detoxifying cuppa. Introducing my Gentle Detox Tea!
If youโre eager to get back on track and support your immune system, metabolism, and digestive health, this Gentle Detox Tea fits the bill.
I make this delicious and easy herbal remedy with the goodness of Barnes Naturals Apple Cider Vinegar and their Manuka Honey โ two staples in my kitchen!
Added to the herbal tea of your choice this is THE perfect way to start the day, or drink all day! I’m completely hooked. I’ve used many different herbal teas (peppermint, ginger, chamomile, green tea) but my absolute favourite herbal tea base is the Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice Tea (available at all the major supermarkets) – it’s an incredible blend of cinnamon, ginger, vanilla and more and pairs beautifully with the ACV and manuka.
Health benefits of this Gentle Detox Tea
Hereโs just *some* of the reasons I love Barnes Naturals Certified Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV):
โ ACO certified organic
โ Itโs raw, unrefined and unpasteurised
โ Contains no artificial colours or flavours
โ Made with cold-pressed, naturally fermented apples
โ Retains the โMotherโ enzyme for added benefits
โ Suitable for vegetarians AND itโs vegan-friendly
Other ways to enjoy ACV besides my Gentle Detox Tea
If you don’t want to make the Detox Tea you can add it into your daily routine via a 15ml shot or dilute in warm water for a morning boost.
Or, add a splash to sparkling water for some zing or use it in recipes, dressings, and marinades for a healthy twist. We even have it over roasted potatoes, it’s so delicious.
What strength of Manuka to choose
For the detox tea, Iโve paired it with MGO550+ Barnes Manuka Honey for an added layer of immune support. But feel free to choose your preferred strength! ๐ฏ
We keep various strengths on hand at all times in our house for year-round wellness, immune health support, and of course to elevate drinks, desserts, dressings and more with its incredible flavour.
You can find Barnes Naturals Manuka and ACV at Chemist Warehouse, available behind the counter (or as I like to buy it, in bulk and online which is easier and more cost effective!).
For more delicious, easy to make healthy drink recipes, click HERE.
Gentle Detox Tea
Ingredients
- 1 herbal tea bag
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Manuka honey – or a quality raw honey
- 1 lemon/s – slice
- sea salt – tiny pinch, optional
Instructions
- Steep the herbal tea bag in a mug or cup of boiling water for a few minutes (to allow it to cool down so its not piping hot).
- Add the apple cider vinegar and mix.
- Add the manuka honey, slice of lemon and sea salt and mix well. The sea salt is optional, but supports optimal hydration so I always add it.
Serve
- Enjoy immediately.
Notes
Iced tea
Yes, this makes a delicious iced tea. Allow to cool, add ice and enjoy. ย ย ย ย ย ยI’d love to know what your favourite herbal tea flavour was for this Gentle Detox Tea in the comments below…
Twice Baked Sticky Lamb Ribs
My hubby recently came home from the butcher with lamb ribs, he said they were too cheap to walk away from. So these Twice Baked Sticky Lamb Ribs were the first thing that came to mind. One of my favourite Bao cafes serves the most incredible sticky lamb ribs so I tried to recreate them….


