Chicken—it’s kind of like that comfortable old sweater you always reach for, right? But who knew it could be both delicious and kind to your waistline? I mean, with the world all abuzz about the latest Barbie movie and the endless scroll of TikTok dance crazes, finding time to whip up something low-calorie yet drool-worthy seems like a miracle.
So, why not turn the ordinary into something extraordinary? Grab your apron, and let’s make some magic happen in the kitchen!
Steps
- Prepare the Chicken Banh Mi Smash Tacos by combining crunchy pickled vegetables with a seasoned ground chicken mixture. Spoon the mixture onto crispy tortillas for a simple and delightful low-calorie meal.
- Create the Mushroom Lover’s Soup by using mushrooms in three different forms: dried, pureed for the broth, and roasted as a crispy garnish. Enjoy this rich, creamy soup while staying within your calorie goals.
- For the Roasted Shrimp Scampi, spiralize some zucchini and combine it with shrimp and crumbled feta. This flavorful, low-calorie dish is quick to make, taking under 30 minutes.
- Make the Herby Lentil and Burrata Salad by mixing protein-rich lentils, creamy burrata cheese, and a zesty dressing. This hearty salad is satisfying and remains low in calories per serving.
- Prepare the Escarole Salad with Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette by tossing fresh escarole with a tangy vinaigrette made from preserved lemons. This salad is a refreshing and low-calorie option.
- For the Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas, arrange sliced chicken, peppers, and onions on a sheet pan. Roast everything together for an easy and healthy dinner.
- Cook the Seared Salmon with Charred Green Beans by pan-searing salmon fillets and serving them with green beans that have been quickly charred for extra flavor. This dish is both nutritious and satisfying.
- Create the Balsamic Chicken Caprese using chicken breasts, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar. This protein-rich meal is simple yet flavorful.
- For the Best-Ever Marinated Flank Steak, marinate the steak in a flavorful mixture before grilling to perfection. Serve with your choice of sides for a delicious meal.
- Assemble the Mason Jar Instant Noodle Soup by layering vegetables, instant rice vermicelli, and vegetable bouillon base in a jar. When ready to eat, simply add hot water for a convenient meal.
- Make the Roasted Shrimp, Tomatoes, and Spinach by roasting shrimp with cherry tomatoes and fresh spinach. This dish is light and packed with flavor.
- Prepare Pork and Scallion Kebabs with Herbed Couscous by skewering marinated pork with scallions and grilling them. Serve alongside herbed couscous for a complete meal.
- Create the Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken by roasting bone-in chicken breasts with sweet acorn squash. The caramelized squash adds a satisfying, earthy flavor to the dish.
- Cook Easy Rice with Ginger-Soy Salmon and Broccoli by steaming rice and broccoli, and serving them with salmon glazed in a ginger-soy sauce. This meal is quick and full of flavor.
- Assemble the Vegetarian Antipasto Salad by combining your favorite antipasto ingredients, such as olives, artichokes, and roasted peppers, with fresh greens. This salad is a vibrant and healthy option.
- Prepare Paprika Chicken with Peppers and Tomatoes by seasoning chicken with paprika and roasting it with peppers and tomatoes. This easy dish is both colorful and flavorful.
- Make Broccoli “Steaks” with Spicy Tomato Jam by slicing broccoli into thick pieces and grilling them. Serve with a spicy tomato jam for a unique vegetarian dish.
- Cook the Air Fryer Squash Soup by air-frying squash until tender, then blending it into a creamy soup. This method preserves flavor while keeping the dish low in calories.
- Prepare Sheet Pan Fish and Vegetables by roasting your choice of fish with a variety of vegetables on a single sheet pan. This simple meal is both nutritious and easy to clean up.
- Make Shakshuka by simmering eggs in a rich tomato stew and serving with crusty bread. This flavorful dish is perfect for breakfast or dinner.
Ingredients
- Chicken Banh Mi Smash Tacos
- Ground chicken
- Tortillas
- Pickled vegetables
- Mushroom Lover’s Soup
- Dried mushrooms
- Pureed mushrooms
- Roasted mushrooms
- Roasted Shrimp Scampi
- Spiralized zucchini
- Shrimp
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Herby Lentil and Burrata Salad
- Lentils
- Burrata cheese
- Salad dressing
- Escarole Salad with Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette
- Escarole
- Preserved lemon vinaigrette
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Chicken
- Fajita vegetables
- Seared Salmon with Charred Green Beans
- Salmon
- Green beans
- Balsamic Chicken Caprese
- Chicken breasts
- Fresh mozzarella
- Tomato
- Basil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Best-Ever Marinated Flank Steak
- Flank steak
- Marinade
- Mason Jar Instant Noodle Soup
- – Vegetables
- – Instant rice vermicelli
- – Vegetable bouillon base
- Roasted Shrimp, Tomatoes and Spinach
- – Shrimp
- – Tomatoes
- – Spinach
- Pork and Scallion Kebabs with Herbed Couscous
- – Pork
- – Scallions
- – Couscous
- – Herbs
- Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken
- – Bone-in chicken breast
- – Acorn squash
- Easy Rice with Ginger-Soy Salmon and Broccoli
- – Rice
- – Salmon
- – Broccoli
- – Ginger-soy sauce
- Vegetarian Antipasto Salad
- – Vegetarian antipasto ingredients
- Paprika Chicken with Peppers and Tomatoes
- – Chicken
- – Peppers
- – Tomatoes
- – Paprika
- Broccoli “Steaks” with Spicy Tomato Jam
- – Broccoli
- – Spicy tomato jam
- Air Fryer Squash Soup
- – Squash
- Sheet Pan Fish and Vegetables
- – Fish
- – Vegetables
- Shakshuka
- – Tomatoes
- – Eggs
- – Crusty bread
FAQ
- What makes the Chicken Banh Mi Smash Tacos low in calories?
- The Chicken Banh Mi Smash Tacos are low in calories because they use a ground chicken mixture along with crunchy pickled vegetables, all served on a crispy tortilla. This combination provides flavor and texture without excessive calories.
- How is the Mushroom Lover’s Soup able to be creamy and low-calorie?
- The Mushroom Lover’s Soup achieves its creamy texture while remaining low-calorie by incorporating mushrooms in multiple forms: dried, pureed into the broth, and roasted as a crispy topping.
- What ingredients are used in the Roasted Shrimp Scampi to keep it light?
- The Roasted Shrimp Scampi stays light by using spiralized zucchini, shrimp, and crumbled feta. This combination offers a flavorful meal that is quick to prepare, taking less than 30 minutes.
- Why is the Herby Lentil and Burrata Salad filling despite being low in calories?
- The Herby Lentil and Burrata Salad is filling due to its inclusion of protein-rich lentils and creamy burrata cheese, along with a flavorful dressing, all of which keep the calorie count just over 300 per serving.
- What makes the Balsamic Chicken Caprese a simple yet nutritious meal?
- The Balsamic Chicken Caprese is easy to prepare and nutritious because it requires only five main ingredients: chicken breasts, fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, and balsamic vinegar, combining for a protein-packed dish.
Tips
- For the Chicken Banh Mi Smash Tacos, use fresh, crunchy vegetables to enhance the texture and flavor of the dish, ensuring a satisfying bite in each taco.
- When making the Mushroom Lover’s Soup, try using a mix of different mushroom varieties for added depth and complexity in the flavor.
- To save time on the Roasted Shrimp Scampi, prepare the spiralized zucchini in advance and store it in the refrigerator until needed.
- Enhance the flavor of the Herby Lentil and Burrata Salad by allowing the lentils to marinate in the dressing for a little while before serving.
Equipment
- Spiralizer – For making spiralized zucchini in the Roasted Shrimp Scampi recipe.
- Mason Jars – For preparing and storing the Mason Jar Instant Noodle Soup.
- Air Fryer – Mentioned in the Air Fryer Squash Soup recipe.
- Sheet Pans – Used for several sheet pan recipes such as Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas, Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken, and Sheet Pan Fish and Vegetables.
