Blackened Chicken and Quinoa Salad

Ingredients

• 2 cups quinoa
• 1 jalapeno
• 3 cups baby spinach
• 4 scallions, trimmed
• 1 cup cilantro
• ½ cup mint
• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 1 rounded tsp ground allspice
• 1 rounded tsp smoked paprika
• 3 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 bell peppers, each deseeded and cut into 8 strips
• 1 large mango, cut into chunks
• Juice of 2 limes
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 avocado
• 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 cup watercress
• 2 Tbsp plain yogurt
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the quinoa: Follow the package instructions for cooking the quinoa.
2. Prepare the veggie mixture: As the quinoa cooks, combine the jalapeno, spinach, scallions, cilantro, and mint in a food processor and blitz until finely chopped.
3. Season and tenderize the chicken: On a large sheet of wax paper, season the chicken with the allspice, paprika, salt, and pepper. Fold the paper over and use a heavy-bottomed skillet to bash the chicken until it’s about ½-inch thick.
4. Cook the chicken and peppers: Heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and bell peppers and cook until the chicken is blackened and cooked through (3 to 4 minutes on each side), and the peppers are tender.
5. Prepare the quinoa salad: Drain the quinoa, rinse under cold water, and drain well. Transfer to a large bowl and mix in the chopped spinach mixture, lime juice, the remaining olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss well and transfer to a large serving platter.
6. Finish the salad: Top the quinoa with mango chunks and cooked peppers. Use a teaspoon to scoop curls of avocado over the salad. Slice the chicken, toss in the pan’s juices, and add to the salad. Garnish with crumbled feta and watercress. Serve with a dollop of yogurt.

Makes 4 servings.

Male Fertility Benefits

This blackened chicken and quinoa salad is not only packed with flavor, but it's also loaded with nutrients that can boost male fertility. Here's how:

• Chicken: A rich source of lean protein, chicken provides the amino acids needed to support sperm health and production.
• Quinoa: This whole grain is high in zinc, which plays a key role in testosterone production and sperm quality.
• Spinach: Packed with folate, spinach supports healthy sperm development and motility.
• Avocado: Rich in healthy fats and vitamin E, avocado helps maintain sperm vitality and motility.
• Pepper and Lime: The vitamin C in peppers and lime juice helps protect sperm from oxidative stress and improves overall sperm function.