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Look! I made us a super awesome (summertime) Monday meal!
Full of summer squash, zucchini, tomatoes, kalamata olives and grilled chicken. SO healthy, right?!?!?
Okok, there is also some fried cheese…oops. But really, life is all about balance, meaning cheese with greens. Yes please and thank you! 🙂
SO, hey, hi! How’s it going? How was your weekend. I am feeling oddly very energetic. Sorry for completely bailing on Snapchat this weekend, I got way too consumed in my weekend craft project and was basically up to my ears in herbs, natural clothing dies, flowers, honey and too much food. It was a BIG weekend, but a good one. Dad helped me with some projects that you guys will soon find out about. On Saturday I did a ton of cooking.
We had amazing weather all weekend, so that was kind of awesome. I finally got to hang with little Asher for a bit on Saturday… eer, ok when I say hang, what I really mean is, I put her to work and we shot some pics for both the blog and the book. To be seen soon!
Oh, and I also ate way too many cherries, cause um, they are SO good!
Sooo, what did you guys do??
All right, so here’s the deal. I’m all about summer produce right now. Actually, when I sat down to roughly plan out my recipes for the month the other week, I wrote down all the produce that I knew I wanted to use. Then I based my recipes off that. It was actually a really great way to be creative with my recipes. Plus, I am so pumped because I am using all of summer’s best produce. Or well, at least MY favorite summer produce!
I’m talking, stone fruits, berries, summer squash, zucchini, tomatoes, fresh herbs, bell peppers, sweet corn, well pretty much every summer fruit and veggie out there.
YESS!
Clearly I am kind of excited!
Soo, that brings me to this recipe! It’s pretty, right? And you guys?!?! I actually used all summer squash and all zucchini noodles, like I didn’t add any real pasta. What?!?! I know, but I was just feeling the super light and fresh vibes for this dish so I went with it.
FINE. There was maybe some un-photographed toast too… can’t help it, got to have some carbs!
Anyway, I am in love with this meal. It screams summer!
So real quick, let’s run through this Mediterranean Chicken and Summer Squash Noodles with Fried Halloumi…
…first up, we have the Mediterranean chicken, which I will not lie is possibly one of my favorite marinades ever. It’s so simple and so toasty. I put my chicken on skewers because I love that look, but feel free to simply leave the chicken breasts whole, grill them up, and cut into bite size pieces. Either way is great!
…next comes the green basil sauce. Oh my gosh, this sauce, it’s everything! Fresh basil, fresh oregano, chives, roasted cashews and olive oil – SOOO GOOD. You can use this sauce on everything. Think pasta, salads, grilled bread, fish, the options are really endless here.
…on to the noodles! I used a mix of summer squash + zucchini and then added some fresh cherry tomatoes and kalamata olives. YUM!
…last, but not least (obviously) the fried Halloumi. This is my favorite part, it’s life changing. <–DO NOT skimp on the fried cheese. K? Cool!
Best part, this truly is such a healthy meal. And aside from the chicken and cheese, this is a full on veggie meal! If you wanted to make this a vegetarian dinner, try using using the chicken marinade on chickpeas and roasting them in the oven. That. would. be. SO. GOOD.
But again, don’t skimp the cheese. ?
So what do you guys say? Dinner? Tonight?
Mediterranean Chicken and Summer Squash Noodles with Fried Halloumi.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped oregano
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- juice of 2 lemons
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless, chicken breast or tenders
Green Basil Sauce
- 1/2 cup fresh basil
- 1/3 cup roasted cashews
- 1/4 cup fresh oregano
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- kosher salt + pepper
Zucchini Noodles
- olive oil, for the pan
- 8 ounces halloumi cheese, sliced (omit if vegan)
- 4 zucchini or yellow squash, sprialized
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, roughly torn
Instructions
- In a large gallon size zip-top bag, combine the ingredients for the chicken and toss to combine. Seal and chill at least 1 hour or up to 12 hours.
- Meanwhile, combine all the ingredients for the green basil sauce in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Stream in water to thin the sauce, I used around 1/3 cup water. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.
- Set your grill, grill pan or skillet to medium-high heat. If desired, thread the chicken onto skewers.
- Grill the chicken until lightly charred and cooked through, turning occasionally throughout cooking, about 10 to 12 minutes total. Let rest 5 minutes and then slice against the grain.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Once hot, add the Halloumi slices and cook for 1-2 minutes per side or until lightly golden. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Add the zucchini noodles to the skillet and give them a drizzle of olive oil. Season with salt + pepper and cook until the noodles are just warmed through, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from the heat and toss the noodles with half of the green basil sauce, the tomatoes, olives and a handful of fresh basil.
- Divide the noodles among plates. Top with chicken and a handful of microgreens. Serve with the remaining basil sauce. EAT!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Thinking that this would be a very “smart” Monday choice. Again, do you see all those veggies? Going for it!
I just made this for dinner tonight, and it was a hit! The sauce really transformed those squash noodles. Thanks again for posting another great recipe!
Our grocery store did not have the Halloumi, but I did find a package of “Greek Frying Cheese”, so I bought that. We all thought that the cheese really added to the dish, and isn’t something you would want to omit. I did some research, and apparently you can also substitute Queso Blanco in place of the Halloumi as well.
So happy it was a hit Diane!!
Bummer about the Halloumi! But the frying cheese sounds like it was a hit! Queso Blanco would totally work now that you say that!!
I really love all the fresh flavors you got going in here. That cheese tough ! OMG, I’m craving this now and all i got is Basil Lol
It’s seriously my favorite!! OMG So good!! Thanks Florentina!
Made this tonight with strawberry mojitos. It was a hit. The dish equally as much as the mojitos. 😉
Wow!! Perfect!! Thanks Nadia!
This looks delicious, as always! I love how colourful those tomatoes are.
Thank you Donna!! (:
Oh I want that bowl of green basil sauce and fresh bread from the oven.
You have to try to make it!! You’ll love it Nancy!!
You just solved my Monday night dinner dilemma! 🙂 Absolutely love this, and that basil sauce sounds fab!
WOOWOO!! Hope you loved it!! (:
This. Is. Perfect. You know all my favorite things, and put it into a bowl of delicious amazingness. The only problem: I don’t know where to get halloumi! Where do you get yours? The stores around me don’t carry them, so I’ve been halloumi-less for a while now which is so sad because I am addicted to that salty, fried cheese.
I get mine at the grocery store at the cheese counter. If you ask your cheese guy, he will be able to help you. Let me know if you have questions. Thank you!!
just got a huge basil plant (i get one every summer and it’s great bc i’m addicted to caprese), and ofc i want to do everything basil asap. this sounds like the perfect way to kick it off (:
Yes it does!! A huge basil plant sounds amazing i’m so jealous!!
fried halloumi is the perfect way to ease into Monday, love this! xo
Looks SO refreshing and delish! Can’t wait to try!!
Hope you love it! Thanks Lisa!
Totally delish!!!! I’m dying to taste this super summery combination of flavors and of course that FRIED CHEESE! Oh, and I can’t wait to see your projects!
Thanks Tori!! You have to try it!! (:
ohhhh halloumi! One of my favorites! And with the sauce! It’s bound to be amazing.
https://www.searedandshameless.com
Thanks Jessica! Hope you love it!! 🙂
Hi Tieghan,
You said there was roasted Cashews in the green basil sauce?? But I did not see any in the ingredient list? LOL did you forget it?
Hey Melody! THANK YOU! I did forget to put the cashews in the ingredient list. UGH. Recipe is fixed! Hope you love this and thank you!
Ohhhhh, halloumi !!!! Halloumi plus veggies plus chicken. Oh my ! Can’t wait to try this recipe ! I usually have my halloumi on the side or flambé as en antipasto. But completly included in the meal, yumm !
You seemed to have had a productive week-end !! Always nice when the weather is with you also 🙂
Me, I went put a reservation for my upcoming dog ! An australian shepherd ! Can’t wait 🙂
Its so so good isn’t it!? Sounds delicious with those as well!!
It felt productive! But yours sounded much more fun!! A new dog wow!! So exciting!
I’m in LOVE, seriously!!
I’m constantly trying to create new recipes, but every day your newest recipe comes up, I’m stunned by your creativity!! Love love love, I feel like running to the store and making this.
Oh well, I will !!! 😉
Wow thank you so much Eva!! That seriously means so much!
I hope you loved this (: