SEARED CHICKEN & ASPARAGUS WITH MANGO SALSA

Seared chicken & asparagus with mango salsa image

Seared chicken and asparagus with mango salsa, the perfact main course for a wedding

Provided by Merrilees Parker

Time 2h45m

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

4 medium, firm but ripe mangoes
juices of 2 limes , zest of 1
2 small red onions , finely chopped
4 red chillies , seeded and finely chopped
40g combined weight fresh flatleaf parsley and coriander, chopped
250ml extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp caster sugar , optional
60 asparagus spears
125ml olive oil
5 tbsp light olive oil
20 skinless, boneless chicken breasts , about 140g/5oz each (preferably freerange)

Steps:

The day before: make the mango salsa, peel the mangoes and cut the flesh into tiny dice. Put into a bowl with the lime juice and zest, the red onions, chillies, parsley, coriander and olive oil. Taste, and mix in a teaspoon of sugar if you feel it needs it. Put in the fridge.
Preheat the oven to 200C/gas 6/fan 180C. Put 2 baking trays in the oven to preheat. Hold each asparagus tip about a third of the way down from the tip between your thumb and forefinger, and your other hand at the bottom. Start to bend it gently and it will snap just above the tough bit which you can throw away. Now toss the asparagus in the olive oil and season well with salt and pepper.
Put in a single layer on the pre-heated baking trays and roast for 12-14 minutes, giving them a good shake halfway through. When they are cooked, remove from the baking trays to cool or else they will keep cooking. Keep the oven on.
For the chicken, heat a griddle pan over a high heat till hot. Brush the chicken with olive oil and generously season with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken breasts, 4 at a time in the pan (depending how many will fit) for 2-3 minutes each side - they should be well marked with the griddle lines. Remove from the griddle and lay in a single layer on foil lined baking sheets. Roast for 12-15 minutes until cooked. Take out of the oven, cool, then cover and put in the fridge.
On the day: take the mango salsa from the fridge and leave at room temperature to allow the flavours to combine.
When you are ready to serve, arrange on two platters, allowing three spears of asparagus topped with a chicken breast per person. Spoon over the mango salsa, reserving some to put in bowls on the side, and drizzle over any oil from the salsa.