Follicular Phase Dinner: Balsamic Chicken & Caprese Inspired Quinoa
Looking for the perfect dinner recipe that is super easy, healthy, mouth-wateringly delicious, & light, yet filling?
Here’s one that does it all! Bonus Points: It’s a crowd pleaser that anyone will love AND it’s a cycle synching recipe, created with your hormones in mind for the Follicular & Ovulatory Phase!
Inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, simple & fresh ingredients, & those late Spring/ early Summer nights where you’re dining outside with hours of daylight to spare, soaking in how great it feels to be alive… This Balsamic Chicken & Caprese Inspired Quinoa will be on repeat in your home!
Although this recipe & all of it’s ingredients can be enjoyed any time, here’s why it’s especially hormone friendly for your menstrual cycle during the Follicular & Ovulatory phases:
After your period, estrogen slowly begins to rise day by day as you approach ovulation. Your cycle isn’t just about your reproductive health. It’s a full body event! Estrogen changes your digestions & metabolism in a couple main ways:
Digestion & the naturally cleansing, “scrubbing” movements of our digestive tract return to normal speed.
We’re slightly more insulin sensitive, causing cravings to vanish & blood sugar to be more easily balanced. Balanced blood sugar means better energy, less blemishes, & happier moods!
This means that you’re more likely to lean towards light foods, & if you want to improve your gut health, it’s a great time to start adding more fiber to your diet. Eating meals like this can help improve your energy, fuel your summer activities & workouts, & even lead to happier moods & less PMS later in your cycle! Each ingredient has been chosen with intention…
Chicken thighs not only taste delicious, but is a great source of protein, monounsaturated fat, & vitamins like iron & zinc.
Balsamic vinegar helps balance your blood sugar by helping muscles soak up glucose faster.
Quinoa is an amazing source of fiber, a low glycemic carbohydrate, helps reduce inflammation & is a great source of folate (extremely important for fertility & sex hormones), magnesium, B6 (for mood), zinc, copper (zinc & copper balance each other out in the body), & more!
Avocado for healthy fats, fiber, Vitamin E, folate, & more– not only will I forever be obsessed with avocado, but it can help your gut, skin, & mood!
Tomato, which is rich in cancer-fighting lycopene– & thanks to the healthy fat in this dish, you can absorb & use it better! These cherry tomatoes contain Vitamin C, Vitamin E, & Potassium.
Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
Chicken Thigh (I used 6 small boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this, but you can easily use a different amount & adjust as needed)
Olive Oil
¼ cup Balsamic Vinegar
4 heaping tablespoons of tomato sauce
Pinch of Pink Himalayan Salt
Generous sprinkles of Italian Seasoning
1 cup quinoa
1 large ripe avocado
cherry tomatoes
Fresh basil
Instructions:
Mix together about 2 ounces of olive oil, the tomato sauce, & balsamic vinegar
Marinate chicken thighs in the mixture for about 1 hour
Preheat the oven to 425*F
Remove the chicken from the marinade, but keep it generously soaked in sauce. Sprinkle with Pink Himalayan Salt & Italian Seasoning
Bake the chicken thighs for 20-30 minutes, until cooked through
While chicken is baking, cook the quinoa, cut cherry tomatoes in half, & cut the avocado into cubes. Serve the warm quinoa, tomatoes, avocado, & basil together as a side to the Balsamic Chicken.
If you make this recipe, be sure to share in on your Instagram stories & tag me! I'd love to connect!