One of the best ways we can boost our energy levels is by fueling ourselves with nourishing nutrient dense foods.

“One of the best ways we can boost our energy levels is by fueling ourselves with nourishing nutrient dense food.”

Essentially nutrients give our body the ability to turn fats, proteins and carbohydrates into energy. This Chicken Cordon Bleu recipe is full energy boosting nutrients including B-vitamins, iron and vitamin C. 

• B-Vitamins can be found in leafy greens and animal products such as organic free-range meats. B-Vitamins are essential to cellular energy production and for carrying oxygen around the body. 
  
  
• Iron can be found in chicken and nuts and seeds. Iron also plays a part in carrying oxygen around the body.  
  
  
• Vitamin C can be found in citrus and many fresh seasonal fruit and veggies. The synthesis of your hormones is mainly dependant on zinc, B6 and vitamin C but almost all nutrients play a role.
  

Chicken Cordon Bleu and Green Salad

Gluten-free, refined sugar-free | Serves 2 

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 2 large chicken breasts (skins removed)
• 1/2 cup grated cheese (optional)
• 
4-6 strips of free-range bacon 
• 1⁄2 cup fresh parsley
• 
Zest of 1/2 lemon (optional) 
• Salt and Pepper
• 
1 egg lightly beaten

• 1 Tbsp coconut oil

For the coating:

• 1 cup ground almonds or
 1 cup of whole almonds ground in a spice grinder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional) 
• Zest of 1/2 lemon (optional)
• 
Salt and Pepper

For the green salad:

• 3-4 cups of salad greens
• 1 spring onion (white and green part), sliced
• 1/4 cucumber, finely sliced
• 
1/2 avocado, sliced

• 1/2 cup fresh herbs e.g. parsley or mint 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds lightly toasted
• Serve with a dressing of your choice.

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 200 degrees. 
2. Halve chicken breast length ways with a sharp knife (not cutting all the way through so you can open out like a book). 
3. Combine grated cheese, chopped parsley lemon zest salt and pepper (we whizzed them together in a small bullet blender). 
4. Divide evenly onto one side of each open chicken breast. 
5. Fold chicken back over and wrap each breast with 2-3 slices of streaky bacon. 
6. Combine all the coating ingredients on one plate and the beaten egg on another plate. 
7. Dip each chicken parcel first in the lightly beaten egg and then coat well in coating mix. 
8. Put coconut oil in a large oven proof dish (something with sides, big enough to fit both chicken breasts) and heat the dish for a few minutes in the oven to melt and heat up coconut oil. 
9. Take dish out of the oven and put prepared chicken breasts in the hot coconut oil. Cook on fan bake for 25-30 minutes depending on the size of the breasts (turning once). 
10. While the chicken is cooking prepare a green salad by tossing all ingredients together with the dressing of our choice.
11. Slice chicken in half to make sure it is cooked through, serve and enjoy.

If you give this a go, we'd love to see the result! Tag us in your pictures with @bepurebenwarren for your chance to be featured on our Instagram account.