Spicy Ginger-Lime Chicken Thighs or Tofu

Hello, I’m Sophia DeSantis! I believe that food is just as important for your mental health as it is for your body.

Plant-based recipe creator, food photographer, and certified health coach Sophia DeSantis doesn’t believe in taking an all-or-nothing approach to wellness. “I help people work on their relationship with food, because in today's world, and especially online, there are so many diets saying ‘do this and do that,’ when you really need to be listening to yourself and what your body wants,” she says. “I’m first-generation Greek. In Greece, food is your love language; that’s how I show love.” In DeSantis’ home, that sentiment often takes the form of baked goods, which are key to her overall food philosophy. “Maybe you've had a tough day and homemade cookies comfort you because that's what your mom made growing up… It’s okay to have that cookie,” she says. “It doesn’t mean you’re unhealthy; you’re actually being healthier, because you’re honoring your mind.”

Finding the
Right Balance

In Sophia DeSantis’ home, fresh, high-quality produce and sheet pan dinners, easily sourced from Albertsons shopping trips, are family favorites. “I’ll prep fruits and vegetables so that my kids have something they can grab,” she says. “And I like to have frozen rice in my freezer at all times. We’ll do sheet-pan-roasted veggies, crispy tofu, maybe some plant-based sausages — then we microwave the rice for three minutes and we’re building bowls.” While she loves a fast, plant-rich weeknight meal, DeSantis also cites a vegan take on her mother’s spanakopita as a current household hit. It also happens to be one of the most popular recipes on her website, Veggies Don’t Bite!, a space DeSantis created to encourage others to eat intuitively. “We’re all different and we can’t expect food to do the same thing for each of us,” she says. “If we stop and listen to what our body tells us, we learn so much more than we learn from the outside.”

if food could talk, what would it say about you?

“Your health journey includes kale and cookies.”

Shopping List

  • Asparagus
  • Chicken thighs or firm tofu
  • Cilantro
  • Ginger root
  • Lime
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Black pepper
  • Chili-garlic sauce
  • Coriander
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Honey
  • Salt
  • Aluminum foil
Shop this list and more at Albertsons.com.

Fresh Insider
Tips

Albertsons’ team of Fresh Associates is always available to help you make the most of your shopping trip.

Save time with pre-cut produce. The store’s produce pros cut fruits at peak freshness for Albertsons’ signature fruit bowls. Keep a few options in your fridge to encourage healthy snacking.

Celebrate with a made-to-order cake. Sophia DeSantis knows the importance of marking special occasions with baked goods. Albertsons’ cake decorators are on-hand to help bring your custom dessert dreams to life.

click to download recipe

Spicy Ginger-Lime Chicken Thighs or Tofu

  • 1 small bunch asparagus, woody ends removed
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or 1 pound firm tofu
  • ½ small bunch cilantro, leaves minced (discard stems)
  • 1-inch piece ginger root, minced
  • ½ lime
  • 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • ⅜ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons chili-garlic sauce
  • ⅛ teaspoon coriander
  • 1 ½ tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • ¾ teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
  2. Place sweet potatoes and asparagus on baking sheet. Drizzle 2 teaspoons olive oil over veggies and season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper; toss to combine, then spread out in an even layer. Place in the oven and bake until fork-tender, 15-20 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, preheat a skillet over medium-high heat.
  4. Note that this recipe can also be made with firm tofu if you’re following a plant-based diet; just cut it into cubes. Pat chicken thighs or tofu dry with paper towels and place on a plate; season with ¼ teaspoon salt and ⅛ teaspoon black pepper on both sides.
  5. Once the skillet is hot, add oil and swirl to coat the bottom.
  6. Add chicken or tofu to the skillet; cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Once golden, transfer to a clean plate and loosely cover with aluminum foil (the chicken will not be cooked all the way through).
  7. Return skillet to medium heat. Juice lime into the skillet. Add ginger, half of the cilantro (reserve the rest for garnish), 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil, chili-garlic sauce, honey, and coriander. Stir to combine the sauce.
  8. Return chicken or tofu to the skillet, along with any accumulated juices. Cover and simmer until chicken or tofu is cooked through, 8-10 minutes.
  9. To serve, divide chicken or tofu and vegetables between plates. Sprinkle with reserved cilantro and enjoy!

More Meal Ideas

For more fresh foods to inspire your own wellness journey, visit Albertsons.com.