The Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement - Chicken Fajitas

After unpacking for weeks and weeks, I've finally found my cookbooks!  Most importantly, my 452-page Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook.  So many great recipes, that are actually YUMMY - and it doesn't matter if you're on Weight Watchers or not!  (Which by the way, I lost 20 lbs on after I had Luke.) Expect many more recipes from this book coming your way!

Weight Watchers Chicken Fajitas


-2 tbsp. Lime Juice
-1 tbsp. Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce
-1 tsp. Chili Powder
-Pinch Crushed Red Pepper
-10 ounces skinless boneless Chicken Breasts, cut into thin strips
-4 teaspoons vegetable oil (if desired)
-1Green Bell Pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
-1Red Bell Pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
-1 Onion, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
-4 (6 in.) fat free flour tortillas (or low carb)
-1/2 c. Salsa, for garnish
-1/4 c. fat free Sour Cream, for garnish
-Chopped fresh Cilantro, for garnish

Directions
1. Prepare the marinade, in a zip-closed plastic bag, combine the lime juice, soy sauce, chili powder, and red pepper; add the chicken. Seal the bag, squeezing out the air; turn to coat chicken. Refrigerate, turning bag occasionally, at least 2 hours or overnight. Drain and discard marinade.
2. In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tsp. of the oil (if you want). Saute the bell peppers and onion until softened, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
3. In the skillet, heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil (if you want you can grill the chicken instead, it tastes just as good if not better). Saute chicken until cooked through, 3-5 minutes.

Number of Servings: 4

Buon Appetito!

Leah

The Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement~ Healthy Chicken Parmesan

Fresh back from Mexican paradise, it's time to get back in the healthy swing of cooking.  I did enjoy eating most everything I tried in Cozumel, but I often cringed at all the grease and fat in everything.  I've trained my body to eat foods that will serve as fuel, rather than just store fat and pretty much not do a darn thing for me.  Luckily, we didn't do a ton of high intensity workouts so laying on the beach worked for the food fare we indulged in.

I stole this recipe from a friend that also loves this meal-remade from the original high-calorie dish to be lighter and just as delish.  It's my husband's favorite meal I incorporate with pasta, and usually the kids ask for two helpings.


Ingredients
8 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon olive oil
4 large tomatoes, chopped
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Dash salt
Dash black pepper
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/3 cup whole-wheat bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic
1 egg white, beaten
2 tablespoons skim milk
4 teaspoons shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions
1. Cook pasta according to package directions.

2. In a medium saucepan, saute the onion and garlic in olive oil until tender. Add 1/2 cup water, tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and continue to simmer for another 10 minutes or until it reaches desired consistency. Stir in the fresh basil and set aside to keep warm.

3. Using the flat side of a meat mallet, flatten the chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap until they are about 1/4-inch thick. Remove plastic wrap.

4. In a shallow dish, combine the bread crumbs, dried basil, oregano and garlic. In a small bowl, beat together the egg white and milk. Dip the chicken in the egg mixture and roll in the bread crumbs.

5. Place the coated chicken pieces on a greased baking dish and bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes or until the juices run clear. Transfer chicken to a plate.

6. In the same baking dish, layer the bottom with the cooked spaghetti and mix in half of the sauce. Top with the baked chicken and pour the rest of the sauce over the chicken and pasta.

7. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the chicken and put back in the oven for another 5-7 minutes until the cheese melts.

Happy Eating Friends! Trina

The Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement~Chicken breasts with Avocado, Tomato, and Cucumber Salsa

Healthy and not even trying to be!  Serve with a side of pasta, chips to go with the avocado/tomato salsa, or whatever you desire! Yummy!

Chicken Breasts with Avocado, Tomato and Cucumber Salsa


Cooking spray
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 1/4 cups coarsely chopped seeded peeled cucumber (about 1 large)
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup prechopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped peeled avocado
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped

Preparation

1. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder evenly over chicken; add chicken to pan. Cook for 6 minutes on each side or until done, and remove from heat.

2. Combine remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, and remaining ingredients in a medium bowl, tossing well. Serve with chicken

Happy Eating Friends! Trina