Microwaved Lemon Herb Chicken with Warm Asparagus and Salad
Tender pre-cooked chicken breast and snap-tender asparagus steamed quickly in the microwave, served over a refreshing salad of crisp cucumber, sweet cherry tomatoes, and peppery arugula. A vibrant, zero-dish meal prepped in minutes using paper plates for easy clean up.
Prep
5 min
Cook
2 min
Total
7 min
Makes
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Colleen + Lila
Colleen created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthEveryday strength
Support the basics consistently
A nourishing meal supports the protein, energy and overall nutrition that help you keep showing up for daily movement.
Notice: energy for movement
Steadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Comfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
5 min
Cook
2 min
Total
7 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Knife and cutting board
Time saver
Keep pre-sliced cucumber and halved cherry tomatoes stored in paper containers in your fridge for zero-prep assembling.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 6 steps complete
Next: Snap the tough woody ends off 4…
- 01
Snap the tough woody ends off 4…
Snap the tough woody ends off 4 spears of asparagus and slice the tender stems into 1-inch (2.5cm) pieces.
Tap card to mark done - 02
Place the asparagus pieces and 4 oz…
Place the asparagus pieces and 4 oz (115g) of sliced pre-cooked chicken breast onto a microwave-safe paper plate, layering a damp paper towel over top to trap steam.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done - 03
Microwave on high power for 60 to…
Microwave on high power for 60 to 90 seconds until the chicken is warmed through and the asparagus is tender-crisp.
Look for: the chicken is warmed through and the asparagus is tender-crisp
Tap card to mark done - 04
Scatter 1 cup of baby arugula
Scatter 1 cup of baby arugula, 0.5 cups of halved cherry tomatoes, and 0.5 cups of sliced cucumber directly onto a clean paper plate or bowl.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done - 05
Transfer the warm chicken and asparagus onto…
Transfer the warm chicken and asparagus onto the fresh greens.
Tap card to mark done - 06
Drizzle with 1 tbsp of extra virgin…
Drizzle with 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp of fresh lemon juice, and top with 1 tbsp of raw pumpkin seeds before serving immediately.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done
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