Cajun Chicken Pasta

Ever since we tried this recipe a few months ago, my husband keeps requesting it.  I think it's a new favorite of his, and mine too.  It is full of flavor, vegetables, and low on fat.  So, I think this is going to be a regular in our house from now on - because it is SO hard to find healthy recipes that actually taste good.  So, if you're like me and are constantly looking for delicious healthy choices, this is a great one to try.  Enjoy!

What are some of your favorite healthy recipes?

Printable Version

Ingredients:
2-3 chicken breasts, cubed
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon

1/3 cup skim milk
2 tablespoons flour
4 ounces light cream cheese
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic salt

8 ounces linguine, cooked

Directions:
1.  In a large skillet, season chicken with Cajun seasoning and garlic powder.  Cook over medium heat until cooked through.  Set aside.
2.  Add oil into the skillet and saute bell peppers, onions and garlic for about 3-4 minutes.  Add mushrooms and tomatoes and saute for another 3-4 minutes.  Season with salt, garlic powder, and chicken bouillon.  Add chicken.
3.  Blend milk, flour, and cream cheese in a blender.  Add to the skillet mixture and season with more Cajun seasoning and garlic salt.  Allow to simmer at least 2 more minutes.  Serve with cooked pasta.

Source:  Adapted from Skinny Taste

Teriyaki Chicken Bowls

Anyone having one of those days where you just want to throw something in the crockpot and be done with dinner in a snap?  This recipe is just that, and if you like the chicken bowls from Teriyaki Stix, you should definitely try this one!  This recipe has become one of my husband's favorite meals....the first time we ate this, he was ooh-ing and aww-ing the whole time.  In my opinion, if it passes the husband test, this one has got to be good!  Enjoy! :)

Printable Version

Ingredients:
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/2 cup soy sauce (I don't recommend less sodium)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon ketchup
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Thickening Sauce:
2 tablespoons corn starch
2 tablespoons water

Directions:
1.  Place chicken thighs in crock pot.
2.  Whisk together remaining ingredients in a bowl and pour over chicken.
3.  Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or 3-4 on high.  Serve over rice.
4.  If you would like to thicken the sauce, remove sauce from crockpot and bring to boil in saucepan.  In separate bowl, combine cold water and corn starch.  Add corn starch mixture to sauce and stir until it thickens.  Continue to add more corn starch/water until sauce reaches desire thickness.

Source:  Dish Delish

Guiltless Alfredo Sauce

Anyone who has read my blog, probably knows that I am obsessed with fettuccine alfredo.  However, it's not the healthiest of meals......BUT, I found this guiltless alfredo recipe and was SO happy with how good it was, with much fewer calories!!!  In fact, there was only 227 calories for a full bowl of the sauce we used on our fettuccine!  Yeah, I'm pretty much stoked about this.  Now I can make alfredo whenever I want and not feel guilty about it.  Not only that, but it is delicious.  Enjoy!

Printable Version

Ingredients:
2 cups low-fat milk (I used skim)
3 ounces low-fat cream cheese (fat-free not recommended)
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tablespoon butter
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Directions:
1.  Put milk, cream cheese, flour, and salt into a blender.  Process until smooth and set aside.
2.  In a non-stick sauce pan, melt butter on med-high heat.  Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
3.  Add milk mixture and cook for about 4-5 minutes, until it thickens.  Remove from heat.
4.  Add cheese, stir, and cover quickly.  Let sauce stand for at least 10 minutes.

Source:  Our Best Bites

Baked Chicken Parmesan

And the lighter recipes continue.... :)  I love chicken parmensan, and came across this lighter, baked version.  I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised with this one.  I didn't think anything could beat the fried goodness of my usual chicken parmesan, but this is pretty darn good.  In fact, I might even like it better.......  Did I just say that?  Yes, lighter is better.  At least in this case.  Enjoy! :)

Printable Version

Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3/4 cups Italian bread crumbs
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 cup reduced fat mozzarella cheese
1 cup marinara sauce
cooking spray

Directions:
1.  Cut each chicken breast into two cutlets.
2.  Combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in a bowl.
3.  Lightly brush each cutlet with melted butter.  Dip each cutlet in bread crumb mixture, covering completely.
4.  Place breaded cutlets on baking sheet and lightly spray the top of each cutlet with cooking spray.
5.  Bake at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes.  Turn chicken over and bake another 5 minutes.
6.  Remove from oven, spoon sauce over each cutlet and top with cheese.  Bake another 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Source:  Skinny Taste

Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Printable Version

Ingredients:
4 pounds pork roast (shoulder or butt)
2 onions, sliced
1 cup Pepsi
1 (18 ounce) bottle BBQ sauce (We like Kraft's Sweet and Spicy Chipotle)
hamburger buns or rolls
extra BBQ sauce for serving (optional)

Directions:
1.  Place one onion in the bottom of the crock pot.
2.  Put roast in crockpot and top with the second onion.  Pour ginger ale over top.
3.  Cover and cook on low for about 12 hours.
4.  Remove the meat, strain, and discard all liquid and onion.
5.  Shred the meat, and discard remaining fat, bones, and skin.
6.  Return shredded meat to crockpot and stir in BBQ sauce.
7.  Cook an additional hour.

Source:  Food.com

Chicken Cordon Bleu

So, I have to admit that I have never made chicken cordon bleu before, but I have always loved it!  I was under the impression that it was really hard to make, so I never tried it before.  Well, this recipe is very easy, and it turned out delicious!  I was thinking that we would have some of these leftover for another dinner, but my husband gobbled all of them up :)  Not only do they taste delicious, but they are weight watcher approved, so you don't have to feel guilty about them.  That's right, doesn't get much better than that!  I hope you guys enjoy these as much as we did!

Printable Version

Ingredients:
4 chicken breast halves
2 eggs
1 tablespoon water
3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
24 slices thin deli ham
12 slices swiss cheese
salt

Directions:
1.  Cut chicken breast halves into cutlets.  I usually get about 3 cutlets per breast half. Once they are cut, you can pound them to make them thinner (which makes it easier later!)
2.  Place 2 slices of ham and 1 slice of cheese (cut in half to fit better) in the middle of eat cutlet.
3.  Wrap chicken around ham and cheese.  Use toothpicks to secure all edges of the chicken closed.  Make sure to get all edges so the cheese doesn't come out.  Season chicken with salt.
4.  Mix egg and water together.  Dip each piece of chicken into the egg wash, then cover with bread crumbs.

This is what mine looked like all wrapped up and breaded:

5.  Place onto a greased cookie sheet, and lightly spray each piece of chicken with cooking spray.
6.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes, or until cooked through.

Source:  Skinny Taste