Jun292016
Hi Hungry Girl,
I always keep chicken breast in my fridge and freezer -- it's my go-to protein for lunch and dinner. But I'm getting so bored with plain chicken! How can I make it more exciting without spending a lot of time in the kitchen?
Chicken Rut
Hi Chicken Rut,
Chicken's my go-to protein too! But I can definitely see how you could be getting bored if you tend to eat it plain. Here are eight easy ways to give that poultry a serious upgrade...
Top with Fruity Salsa
4 oz. cooked skinless chicken breast, 3 tbsp. salsa = 200 calories
SmartPoints® value 3*
Fruit and chicken go so well together, and this combo doesn't even require any produce chopping. Pick up some salsa studded with peaches, pineapple, ormango. Newman's Own makes some great ones. Or DIY by whipping up a batch of this Tropical Pico de Gallo in advance!
Enjoy Burger Style
4 oz. cooked skinless chicken breast, 2 large lettuce leaves, 3 dill pickle chips, 2 tsp. each ketchup and mustard = 215 calories
SmartPoints® value 4*
Create a variation on a burger by wrapping the chicken in lettuce. Iceberg is great if you like a little crunch, but butter lettuce works too. Add classic condiments -- ketchup, mustard, and pickles -- for a burger fix with a fraction of the calories and fat.
Greek-ify It
4 oz. cooked skinless chicken breast, 1 slice roasted red pepper, 2 tbsp. crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese, 1 tbsp. sliced black olives = 230 calories
SmartPoints® value 4*
This one's delicious and packed with Mediterranean flavor. It even features a couple of foods you probably already have in your pantry! Just top your chicken with roasted red pepper (previously packed in water, not oil), crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese, and sliced black olives. So much yum...
Spread with Hummus
4 oz. cooked skinless chicken breast, 2 tbsp. hummus, dash paprika = 240 calories
SmartPoints® value 5*
Speaking of Mediterranean flavor, hummus is a great way to zazzle up that chicken. And it's protein on protein, so you know you'll be satisfied after eating it! My favorite hummus these days is madeby Lantana. I love that some of the flavorscomein single-serve containers.
Top with Mozzarella, Artichoke Hearts & Sun-Dried Tomatoes
4 oz. cooked skinless chicken breast, 1 tbsp. each chopped sundried tomatoes and artichoke hearts, 2 tbsp. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese = 245 calories
SmartPoints® value 4*
Taking things Italian, here's another flavor-packed idea. Chop some bagged (or rinsed and dried if packed in oil) sundried tomatoes and canned artichoke hearts, and sprinkle over your chicken. Then top with shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, and heat until melted. Mmmm...
Smother with Creamy Tomato Soup
4 oz. cooked skinless chicken breast, 1/4 cup tomato soup with 4g fat or less per serving = 210 calories
SmartPoints® value 4*
What's better than a bowl of steamy tomato soup? Steamy tomato soup poured over chicken! My favorite, hands down, is Amy's Organic Chunky Tomato Bisque. There's even a Light in Sodium version of that soup, which rocks.
Buffalo Wing It
4 oz. cooked skinless chicken breast, 1 1/2 tsp. hot sauce, 1 tbsp. crumbled blue cheese = 210 calories
SmartPoints® value 4*
Frank's RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce makes just about anything taste like Buffalo wings. (I'm pretty sure my tennis shoes would taste like wings if I doused 'em in Frank's!) Coat your chicken with the hot sauce, and sprinkle with blue cheese crumbles to seal the deal.
Go Naked Chicken Parm
4 oz. cooked skinless chicken breast, 3 tbsp. low-fat marinara sauce, 2 tbsp. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese = 245 calories
SmartPoints® value 5*
Enjoy the taste of chicken Parmesan without all the extra calories and fat. Just slather low-fat marinara sauce on your chicken breast, and top with shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese. Heat until the cheese is nice and melty, and dig in.
Need some ideas for dressing up a side of veggies to go with that chicken? Here you go!
Chew on this:
After today, there's only one day left in June, National Candy Month. For a healthy celebration, chomp on some Cotton Candy Grapes!
You know you're not the only one who's bored with chicken -- click "Send to a Friend" now!
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