The combination of peach and balsamic gives these grilled chicken skewers a sweet and tangy taste. This summer meal is Whole-30, paleo and gluten-free friendly.
I talk a lot about simplifying things. Simplifying cooking, exercise, health, routines, blogging, etc. When life becomes stressful and things are out of my control (aka a lot of the time) I tend to revert to the basics. I think there is so much benefit to that method. Why make things complicated if they don’t need to be, right?
HOWEVER (and yes, it needed capitalization), I need to be careful not to limit myself.
Simple tends to mean comfortable for me, which isn’t inherently a bad thing. Yet when it becomes a 24/7 thing (as it has for me), it’s time to break the mold.
Luckily, I have many (real life and blogging) friends who, without knowing, raise my standards and push me in many aspects of my life. Not in an unhealthy way at all, but in an encouraging “you have so much potential” way. Their actions give me motivation and inspiration to become a more well-rounded version of me. To try new things and take (calculated) risks. I’m working toward some things in my personal life that are slightly scary but have the potential to be rewarding down the line. I’m breaking out of my realm of comfort and it feels exciting. Sorry for the vagueness :)
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Two more specific ways I’ve been challenging myself this summer: cooking and food photography. Admittedly, I feel a little embarrassed when it comes to both aspects (emphasis on the photography) because I’m such a novice, especially compared to the amazing bloggers out there. But I’m trying…and failing…and trying…and learning! Even if I only like two or three photos from a million (what the heck?!) I’m having fun and broadening my “life skills.” There’s value in that process and I want to continue pushing myself to post recipes for that reason.
When it comes to cooking, I typically run away from recipes that require more hands-on work than I’m used to. And by run, I mean quickly search on Pinterest for a similar recipe that’s much easier. This time, I’m doing the opposite. Or, I did the opposite and I’m sharing the results now.
Truthfully, the process was a lot less complicated than I pictured in my head, as is usually the case in life. The most tedious part was making the marinade and the hardest part was flipping the skewers. I might have said “this is literally impossible” a few times, before I actually realized it was possible. It’s rewarding to learn the skills for myself, and even better to have a delicious dinner to show for it.
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So if you’re in the mood for a slightly hands-on but not too complicated recipe, this is for you. Or if you just want a good summer meal…yeah let’s go with this one.
PIN FOR LATER:
- 2 peaches (pealed and chopped)
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp coconut aminos*
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 lemon
- 4 chicken breasts
- 2 summer squash**
- 1 peach
- 1 tsp salt + pepper
- 8 wooden skewers
- For the marinade: Simmer the pealed, chopped peaches, balsamic, coconut aminos, olive oil, Dijon and lemon. About 15-20 minutes until peaches are soft. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Purée the mixture in a food processor or blender until liquid. Save a small bowl of the marinade to brush on at the end!
- Cut chicken breasts into cubes for skewers.
- Let chicken marinate (for best results, let sit for 4 hours to overnight).
- One to two hours before grilling, soak wooden skewers in cool water.
- Chop summer squash and peaches for skewers.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
- Add chicken, squash and peaches to skewers and place on grill.
- Grill 2-3 minutes and then turn skewers and brush with leftover marinade.
- Continue turning skewers every 2-3 minutes until all sides have been cooked.
- Remove from grill and serve.
- *Or soy sauce substitute
- **Or vegetable of choice
This sounds delicious! I am also an inherently simple person, but at the same time, that is a complete facade–there is a lot of thinking going on in there (or so I like to believe). Simple doesn’t have to mean comfortable, as well–sometimes, the hardest thing to do is to do something simply, but to a t.
I’m not sure when I ‘ll be getting out of my comfort zone in the kitchen again. I just don’t want to get comfortable buying food.
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…One Amazing Summer Weekend (Carbtervention)
You always make me think…in the best way possible! And I’m so glad you don’t have to move though! But your kitchen better get its act together ASAP.
I’ve done the opposite in cooking and feel like I need extravagant recipes all the time when simple is great too! Like marinated chicken with some veggies. Mmm! These look so good and not complicated! That’s what I need these days :)
heather @Lunging Through Life recently posted…8 Month Baby Favorites
That’s funny that you do the opposite. I would be more inclined (I do have the time) but I’m always scared I’ll mess up. You seriously can’t go wrong with marinated chicken and vegetables! I love making extra and then having it on hand for other meals.
MMm this looks so tasty! Nothing beats chicken skewers this time of year and that marinade sounds amazing!!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Black Bean Fajita Bowls
I’m so into peaches lately! Adds the perfect sweet taste to meals.
I made my first grilled chicken kabobs a few weeks ago…it was scary…haha! But it worked, I did it on the indoor grill pan though, but now I’m thinking it would have been easier on the big outdoor grill……NEXT TIME!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…Blueberry Yogurt Banana Bread
It might be easier because of space to fit more skewers/kabobs, but flipping was a challenge! I need to buy gloves so I can get up closer without hesitation.
These look yummy, I love making things on skewers except you’re right – then putting them on and taking them off seems like too much effort. It shouldn’t be!
I stabbed myself putting the food on the skewers. Who knew they were so sharp!
Skewers make food more fun. I’m convinced. I made pineapple and steak ones a couple weeks ago, and while I nearly stabbed myself 23098 times, it was fun and delicious :)
These look amazing! I’m extra obsessed with balsamic lately (I think because I bought high-quality balsamic and it’s way better than what I was using) and peaches are so good this time of year. I say pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is producing some good results!
YES! I stabbed myself a bunch too…even just getting them ready to soak. Like what?!
I’m with you on the high quality balsamic. Makes a huge difference! We buy from a local store now that sells premium oils/vinegars and I’ll never go back to anything else.
We were just having this conversation the other day actually because my brother told me I need to push myself in the kitchen more. (Which is funny because he hardly pushes himself out of bed or off the sofa but I digress.) So I tried making eclairs for the first time. They were so delicious!
And it actually wasn’t too difficult, just really time consuming.
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Haha I laughed at your comment about your brother. Way to go making the eclairs! I tend to assume time-consuming recipes are automatically difficult. Probably because I like immediacy.
Great minds think alike! I Just made a peach & balsamic combo! It’s so delicious and perfect for summer.
And I’m right there with ya on the photography. Sometimes I’ll take 50-100 shots before I find on that I’m ok with. We are all our own worst critics, right? Lol. Yours is looking great though and definitely make me want to try it out the skewers out.
I can’t get enough of the combo! Or grilled food for that matter.
I probably don’t take enough photos in general so it only makes sense that I end up with a few I like. Slowly figuring out how to do this photography thing!
This looks like the perfect summer meal – and a delicious reward for getting out of your comfort zone ;)
Kristy from Southern In Law recently posted…Kristy’s Random Ramblings #3 [BLOGGER LINK UP!]
Exactly what I thought too :) Thanks, Kristy!
Your food photography is beautiful! I just bought an actual camera to take pictures for my blog and am so lost. I took probably 100 pictures of a bowl of zoodles last weekend and liked 1 haha! #bloggingstruggles
Diana @ Live Lean Eat Green recently posted…30 Healthy Meals Made In 30 Minutes Or Less!
Seriously! Why don’t any more come out good?! I bought this camera in May so it’s only been a few months of experimenting.
These look so good! I love grilled kabobs and I know I just need to run down to our apartment’s community grill and use it one of these summer days! Thank you for sharing the recipe – it looks delicious!
Thanks, Rachel! Go do it :)