Taco Seasoning

Are you at home and have a taste for tacos but you don't have the packet? Here is a way to make the taco flavors without the packet. I found this on Allrecipes.com and it has been my go to mix ever since. If you like it a little spicier you can add more red pepper flakes but be careful you can go overboard really quickly.

Nutritional Information (calculated on myfitnesspal.com): 0 weight watchers points plus. 8 calories, 1g carbs, 0g fat, 0g protein, 208mg sodium*.

Ingredients

1 T Chili Powder

1/4 t Garlic Powder

1/4 t Onion Powder

1/4 t Red Pepper Flakes

1/4 t Dried Oregano

1/2 t Paprika

1-1/2 t Ground Cumin

1/2 t Sea Salt

1/2 t Ground Black Pepper

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and use as you would a standard taco seasoning packet.

*Note: Most Taco Seasoning Packets range between 265-480mg sodium.

Peas and Onions

When I was making the Chicken Picatta I was looking for a quick and easy side dish to go along with it. I had some frozen peas in the freezers so that is where I started. I found a dish on AllRecipes.com that was super easy and was done before the chicken.

Nutritional Information (calculated on myfitnesspal.com): 3 weight watchers points plus. 110 calories, 13g carbs, 5g fat, 4g protein.

Ingredients

• 2 T Olive Oil
• 1 Large Onion, Diced
• 2 Garlic Cloves, Minced
• 16 oz Frozen Peas
• 1 T Chicken Stock, Fat Free, Reduced Sodium
• Salt and Pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Heat Olive Oil in a skillet

Chicken Piccata

I always asked my parents to make this dish when I was younger. There is just something about the combination of the tartness of the lemon juice and the saltiness of the capers that makes me love this dish. Now that I have found a recipe that makes it lighter without losing ANY of the flavor I feel like I should send a thank you to Emily Bites. She has not only made this dish flavorful and healthy but fairly simple and unintimidating to cook.

Nutritional Information (calculated on myfitnesspal.com): 5 weight watchers points plus. 188 calories, 6g carbs, 6g fat, 27g protein.

Ingredients

• 3 T Whole Wheat Flour
• 1/2 t Salt
• 1/4 t Black Pepper
• 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Halves (1 lb total)
• 1 T Olive Oil
• 1 T Light Butter
• 1/2 c Low Sodium Fat Free Chicken Broth
• 3 T Lemon Juice (fresh is better)
• 1 Garlic Clove, Minced
• 1/4 c Capers, Drained and Rinsed

Directions

1. Mix Flour, Salt and Pepper in a resealable bag. Add Chicken and shake to coat.

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Peppers

My mom's 29th* birthday was last week and I went over to make dinner for her. When I was brainstorming with Tammy what to make we came up with this idea. I have always found stuffed peppers to be so bland and wanted to find a way to spice them up a bit. The amount of flavor in these was perfect. If you want a little more spice top with a little Tabasco. I originally calculated this recipe for a whole pepper (both sides) was a serving but after eating I found that 1 stuffed pepper with a side was more than enough.

(*actual age redacted for the safety of the author) :-)

Nutritional Information (calculated on myfitnesspal.com): 5 weight watchers points plus. 154 calories, 13g carbs, 7g fat, 11g protein.

Ingredients

• 15 oz can Enchilada Sauce
• 2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
• 1 Flour Tortilla, Chopped
• 1 Large Spanish Onion, Chopped
• 1 c Frozen Corn, (I used Roundys, Steam n' Serve Fire Roasted Super Sweet Corn from Mariano's)
• 1/4 c Cilantro, Chopped Finely
• 2 Garlic Cloves, Minced
• 4 Large Poblano Peppers
• 1/2 c Shredded Reduced-Fat Mexican Cheese
• 1/2 avocado, sliced thin

Directions

1. Place the frozen Chicken and Enchilada Sauce in the Slow Cooker and cook on low for 4 hours.

Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins

With Football, Hockey and Basketball back in full swing it is the perfect time for some game day food. I found a recipe on SkinnyTaste that has all the flavor of buffalo chicken and packages it in an easy to eat potato skin! When I saw this I had to try them right away because I love potato skins and buffalo chicken and the thought of combining the two makes them even better.

Servings 12 (1 Skin per serving)

Nutritional Information (calculated on myfitnesspal.com): 2 weight watchers points plus. 82 calories, 7g carbs, 2g fat, 8g protein.

Ingredients

• 6 medium Idaho Potatoes
• Cooking Spray (I use an olive oil mister)
• 12 oz Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
• 1 Celery Stalk
• 1/2 Onion, cut into 4 chunks
• 1 Clove Garlic
• 16 oz Fat Free Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• 1/3 cup Franks Red Hot Sauce (or other hot pepper sauce)

Chicken Gyro

Behind Pizza and Pasta with Vodka Sauce, a good Gyro is my favorite food but it is always covered in grease and a unhealthy sauce. I found this recipe on Slender Kitchen and plan on making it again and again. At only 6 points plus per Gyro this can be completed as a meal by just adding a side salad.

Nutritional Information (calculated on myfitnesspal.com): 6 weight watchers points plus. 258 calories, 26g carbs, 10g fat, 14g protein. (Does not include Tzatziki Sauce)

Makes 8 gyros!

Ingredients

1 lb Ground Chicken

1 Medium White Onion, divided

1/2 T Marjoram

1/2 T Ground Rosemary

2 Garlic Cloves

1 t Salt

1/2 t Ground Black Pepper

8 Tortillas

1 Large Tomato
1 Batch of Skinny Tzatziki Sauce