Spicy Nduja Chicken and Butter Bean Bake
Juicy chicken thighs baked with creamy butter beans, tender spinach, and smoky nduja in a rich tomato sauce. Designed as a batch meal prep that divides into 6 satisfying, high-protein portions.
Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Total
45 min
Makes
6 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Lu + Lila
Lu 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 HealthSteadier 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
Clearer, simpler choices
Let the recipe do the thinking
Clear steps and a complete plate mean fewer decisions when focus is in short supply—and a more substantial meal once you are done.
Notice: focus + energy later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
15 min
Cook
30 min
Total
45 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Large skillet
Time saver
Store sealed in individual containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Do these three things first
- 1Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 2Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 3Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 9 steps complete
Next: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C)
- 01
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C)
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Tap card to mark done - 02
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe…
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat on the stovetop.
Tap card to mark done - 03
Add diced yellow onion and minced garlic…
Add diced yellow onion and minced garlic clove; cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent.
Look for: softened and translucent
Tap card to mark done - 04
Stir in the nduja paste and cook…
Stir in the nduja paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, pressing with a wooden spoon until melted into the aromatics.
Look for: melted into the aromatics
Tap card to mark done - 05
Pour in canned plum tomatoes (crushing them…
Pour in canned plum tomatoes (crushing them lightly with your spoon) and drained butter beans, mixing well to combine.
Tap card to mark done - 06
Nestled boneless skinless chicken thighs into the…
Nestled boneless skinless chicken thighs into the bean mixture, making sure they are partially submerged.
Tap card to mark done - 07
Place the skillet into the oven and…
Place the skillet into the oven and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Look for: the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)
Tap card to mark done - 08
Remove from heat and immediately fold in…
Remove from heat and immediately fold in the fresh spinach until completely wilted.
Look for: completely wilted
Tap card to mark done - 09
Allow the dish to cool slightly
Allow the dish to cool slightly, then divide evenly into 6 meal prep containers.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done
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