Two Chicken Dinners That Are Healthy and EASY Too!

I'm excited at the trend that's emerged in regards to healthy eating--recipe creators are understanding our need for things to be easy, too. Consider for instance this chicken dinner recipe I just found--note how, besides being on the healthy and tasty side (economical too), it is very easy to put together:

ZESTY ORANGE CHICKEN (serves 4)

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts 4 ounces orange juice Zest of one orange 4 orange slices (peel on) 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley teaspoon dried oregano 1 garlic clove, crushed and peeled 1 tablespoons oil Preheat the oven to 325F. In a large bowl mix the orange juice, orange zest, parsley, oregano and garlic. Add a little salt and pepper if desired. Place the chicken breasts in a non-stick baking pan and make 3 to 4 slashes on the top of each breast. Pour the marinade over the top and then top each breast with an orange slice. Cook approximately 20 to 30 minutes or until cooked through. Discard orange slices and serve with a side of wild rice and French green beans.

Chicken is always a favorite for taste and ease, and here's another recipe that sounds good for one of those evenings when we're just too tired to go to much effort, but we still want a great meal. I found this on the Egg Beaters website (and it takes only 20 minutes to prepare!):


CHICKEN BROCCOLI FRITTATA (serves 2)
(An Italian omelet made with broccoli, chicken, tomato and onion plus Italian seasoning for added flavor)

• PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
• 1 cup small fresh broccoli florets
• 1/2 cup chopped cooked chicken breast
• 1/4 cup finely chopped tomato
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup Egg Beaters® Original (1 cup = 8 oz)

1. Preheat broiler. Spray medium ovenproof skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Add broccoli, chicken, tomato, onion, Italian seasoning and salt; cook and stir 3 minutes, or until broccoli is crisp-tender.
2. Add Egg Beaters. Reduce heat to low; cover. Cook 9 minutes, or until frittata is almost set. Remove lid.
3. Place skillet under broiler 2 minutes or until top is set, but not brown. Cut frittata in half to serve.

Finally, a couple easy tips to overall healthier eating: First, let's drink more water--all day long, and especially with our meals. For some it may be a challenge to give up the soda or milk routine with a meal. But it's one of the quickest and easiest ways to weight loss. I have a friend who dropped 10 pounds in less than a year by weaning herself off soda--it was the only change she made in her diet and activity routine. Nutritionists all agree on this one--water is a real tool to improved health and weight loss.

Second: gradually scale down the portion size. I have another friend who has lost 20 pounds in the past nine months by reducing his portion sizes and eating on a smaller plate. He added in 20 minutes of daily exercise (walking and weight lifting). When I asked him how much of a sacrifice this was, he commented that since he feels so much better, he doesn't see it as a sacrifice at all. He said it only took a few days for him to not even notice the difference in portions.

We're still at the beginning of this new year, so if you haven't already, let's get serious about eating healthier. These two chicken dinners can be our start. So until next time, happy cook'n!