Chicken Little... Chicken Lot!
My favourite protein blasts come from chicken, tuna and eggs. Chicken is extremely versatile, offering a nearly endless list of varied recipe options. One only need peruse the results of any generic 'chicken recipes' search on google for a parade of poultry prizes. Protein is critical to rebuilding, sustaining and growing the stores for endurance athletes. Runners, cyclists and triathletes rely on substantial protein intake to support their training plan and post exertion rebuild. Its equally as important as the pre-race carbo load, but doesn't always find itself getting billing ahead of the pasta fuel up.

I'm a big fan of simple recipes that combine everyday ingredients and yield flavour filled, healthy plates. The latest chicken creation is something I title 'CCPCC' or Chipotle chili-pita crusted chicken; a mouthful you'll see. With only 8 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time you're feeding your the athlete and everyone else at the table:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 cups Pita chips - ground in blender
1 T Chipotle chili spice or canned chipotle chilies
Fresh ground pepper to taste
All purpose flour
1 egg
1 tbsp olive oil
Butter

Coat the chicken in flour and egg. Add chipotle and pepper to ground pita chips and roll chicken generously into the mix. Add olive oil and butter to hot pan, browning chicken for about 10 minutes, flipping in pan after 5 minutes. Heat oven to 400 and finish in non-stick pan for 10-12 min.

For the spicy pallet, give it a kick by stirring up a generous batch of fresh made bbq sauce.

Sauce:
1 cup Ketchup
1 T Worcestershire sauce
1 t Tabasco
2 T Red wine vinegar
Pinch Cumin
Fresh ground pepper
1 T Mad Anthony hot sauce (or your favourite fire in a bottle)

The dish goes great with a mushroom risotto, egg noodles or garlic smashed potatoes and some market fresh steamed green beans.

See you at the start line.
Brent