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A top-down view of a colorful lentil and vegetable stew in a green pot, perfect for healthy meals.
Stovetop~55 minComplexity

One Pot Chicken and Lentils Recipe

This One Pot Chicken and Lentils Recipe delivers 60g protein and 765 calories per serving — one of the highest-protein options in our single-pot library. Batch-preps 4 servings in quick time, combining complete plant and animal proteins for muscle-building fuel. Built for lifters hitting 200g+ daily protein without multiple cooking vessels.

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Ingredients

4 servings
  • Chicken Thigh, Boneless Skinless(680g)

    Boneless skinless thighs. Fattier than breast but more forgiving to cook.

  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
  • Olive oil(30g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • Yellow Onion
  • Garlic
  • Ginger, Fresh Root(15g)
  • Tomato Paste(30g)
  • Garam Masala, Ground(8g)
  • Turmeric, Ground(10g)
  • Cinnamon, Ground(5g)
  • Cumin, Ground(10g)
  • Vegetable Broth, Low Sodium(480g)
  • Tomato, Canned, Crushed
  • Coconut Milk, Full-Fat, Canned
  • Lentils, Dry(360g)
  • Swiss Chard(480g)
  • Greek Yogurt (2%)

    Plain Greek yogurt — nonfat (0%) or low-fat (2%). Not regular yogurt.

  • Mint, Fresh
  • Bread, Naan

Instructions

  1. 1Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or braiser over medium-high heat until shimmering. Season the chicken thighs all over with salt, then add them to the pot and cook 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
  2. 2Add the onion to the same pot and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the garlic and ginger, cooking 1 minute more until fragrant.
  3. 3Stir in the tomato paste, garam masala, turmeric, cinnamon, and cumin, cooking 1–2 minutes until the spices are incorporated and fragrant.
  4. 4Pour in the vegetable broth, crushed tomatoes, and coconut milk, then stir in the lentils. Return the chicken thighs and any collected juices to the pot, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 15 minutes until the lentils are tender and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  5. 5Stir in the Swiss chard and cook uncovered 5 minutes over medium heat until completely wilted.
  6. 6Divide the chicken, lentils, and broth evenly into 4 airtight containers while hot. Cool to room temperature before sealing and refrigerating.
  7. 7To serve, reheat a portion in a saucepan over medium heat 5–7 minutes until warmed through, then top with a dollop of Greek yogurt and fresh mint. Serve with naan on the side if desired.

Nutrition — Per Serving

765

calories

60g

protein

24g

fat

Carbohydrates
83g
Saturated fat
4.3g
Sodium
841 mg
Dietary fiber
16.4g

4 servings per batch · ~527g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does One Pot Chicken and Lentils have per serving?

Each serving provides 60g of protein and 765 calories with 24g fat and 83g carbs. This is one of the highest protein recipes in the PrepForge library and delivers complete calories for a full meal without additional sides.

How long does One Pot Chicken and Lentils take to prep?

Total cook time is under 20 minutes in a single pot, and it batch-preps 4 servings at once. Despite the quick prep time, the lentil base creates a nutrient-dense, filling meal that stores well across multiple days.

Is One Pot Chicken and Lentils good for muscle gain?

At 60g protein and 765 calories per serving, this recipe is built for muscle gain phases where you're in a caloric surplus and need substantial protein intake. The 83g carbs support training performance and muscle glycogen replenishment alongside the high protein load.

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