DIET FRIENDLY CHICKEN RECIPES

Fresh Ideas for Chicken 

Low in fat and calories, chicken is many cooks’ go-to protein when preparing diet-friendly dinners. And its mild flavor makes it extremely versatile in the kitchen. If you’re looking for new delicious ways to cook chicken,

Cornmeal-Crusted Chicken Nuggets with Blackberry Mustard

4 servings

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup fresh blackberries or raspberries, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 pound chicken tenders, cut in half crosswise (see Tip)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 3 tablespoons cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

PREPARATION

1. Mash blackberries (or raspberries), mustard and honey in a small bowl until it looks like a chunky sauce.
2. Sprinkle chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Place cornmeal in a medium bowl, add the chicken and toss to coat (discard any leftover cornmeal).
3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook the chicken, turning once or twice, until browned and just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes total (thinner nuggets will cook faster than thicker ones). Serve the chicken nuggets with the berry mustard.

TIPS & NOTES

• Chicken tenders are the lean strips of rib meat typically found attached to the underside of chicken breasts. They can also be purchased separately. Four 1-ounce tenders will yield a 3-ounce cooked portion. Tenders are perfect for quick stir-fries, chicken satay or kid-friendly breaded “chicken nuggets.”

NUTRITION

Per serving: 184 calories; 5 g fat (1 g sat, 3 g mono); 67 mg cholesterol; 9 g carbohydrates; 3 g added sugars; 26 g protein; 2 g fiber; 452 mg sodium; 70 mg potassium.

Curried Chicken Pitas

4 servings

Active Time: 15 minutes                                   

Total Time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 6 tablespoons nonfat plain yogurt
• 1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• 2 cups cooked, cubed chicken breast (see Tip)
• 1 ripe but firm pear, diced
• 1 stalk celery, finely diced
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup sliced or slivered almonds, toasted (see Tip)
• 4 4- to 5-inch whole-wheat pita breads, cut in half
• 2 cups sprouts

• PREPARATION

  1. Combine yogurt, mayonnaise and curry powder in a large bowl. Add chicken, pear, celery, cranberries and almonds; toss to combine.
  2. Fill each pita half with 1/2 cup chicken salad and 1/4 cup sprouts.

  TIPS & NOTES

  • Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate the salad (Step 1) for up to 2 days.
  • Tip: If you don’t have cooked chicken, poach about 12 ounces chicken breast for this recipe. Place boneless, skinless chicken breast in a medium skillet or saucepan. Add lightly salted water (or chicken broth) to cover and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer gently until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the middle, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • To toast sliced or slivered almonds: Place in a small dry skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

  • NUTRITION

    Per serving: 323 calories; 7 g fat (1 g sat, 3 g mono); 58 mg cholesterol; 41 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 27 g protein; 6 g fiber; 352 mg sodium; 372 mg potassium.

  
  

  Stir-Fried Spicy Chicken Tenders

  4 servings, 1 cup each

  Active Time: 15 minutes

  Total Time: 30 minutes (including 15 minutes marinating time)

  
  INGREDIENTS

  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders, cut into 2-inch pieces (see Variation)
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 16-ounce package frozen bell pepper and onion mix

  PREPARATION

  1. Combine sugar, paprika, salt, pepper and cayenne in a medium bowl. Add chicken and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes or overnight.
  2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add pepper-and-onion mix and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the spice-rubbed chicken and cook, stirring, until no longer pink in the center, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve hot. Variation: Make Stir-Fried Spicy Beef by using 1 pound of stir-fry beef or thinly sliced top round steak instead of chicken in this dish.

  TIPS & NOTES

  • Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 1 up to 1 day ahead.

  NUTRITION

  Per serving: 196 calories; 5 g fat (1 g sat, 2 g mono); 66 mg cholesterol; 8 g carbohydrates; 1 g added sugars; 28 g protein; 2 g fiber; 392 mg sodium; 292 mg potassium.
  
  
  
  
  
  

TRY THIS ROUTINE TO START BURNING THOSE CALORIES!!!

These moves will help you not only lose fat but also get a sleeker body and boost calorie burn all day long—thanks to extra muscle. Each one calls on multiple muscles so that your body burns more calories than if it were doing a single-focus exercise like biceps curls. Plus, every move is designed to shape your muscles, improve your posture, and build your core, so even everyday activities become easier to do. I put this routine together and added pictures to help with a visual demonstration! Get moving! 

Alternating overhead squat

(for legs, core, shoulders)
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out, and hold a dumbbell in each hand. Keeping your spine lengthened and core engaged, squat down, pressing hips back. At the same time, press a dumbbell overhead and reach the other toward the floor. Return to starting position. Repeat squat with opposite arm; that’s 1 rep. Do 2–3 sets of 8–15 reps

Side plank with rear dumbbell fly

(for core, shoulders)
Position body with left (bottom) leg bent, right (top) leg extended, left hand under left shoulder. Body should be in a straight line with hips lifted and shoulder pressing away from your ear. Hold a dumbbell in right hand, arm hanging straight down from shoulder. Holding body still, arc weight out and up until right hand is directly above shoulder. Squeeze backs of shoulder muscles for 1 count, then slowly lower arm to starting position. Do 8–12 reps, then switch sides and repeat. Do 2–3 sets.

Lunge row and press

(for legs, core, back, shoulders)
Stand with feet together. Hold weight in right hand by shoulder, elbow bent. Lunge forward with left leg, bending knees while rotating torso and lowering weight down toward left ankle. Push off left foot to return to start position while pulling hand back to shoulder height. Push dumbbell straight up. Return to starting position. Do 8–12 reps, then switch sides and repeat. Do 2–3 sets

Bird dog

(for upper back, butt, core)
Get down on all fours. Keeping abs engaged, lift right arm and left leg so they’re in line with torso; reach hand and foot away from each other. Hold for a moment (don’t let belly sag); return to starting position. Repeat with opposite arm and leg; that’s 1 rep. Do 2–3 sets of 8–15 reps

Alternating dumbbell fly

(for chest, core)
Lie on back with legs lifted, knees bent to 90 degrees. Hold a dumbbell in each hand directly over chest with palms facing each other, elbows slightly rounded (as if hugging a tree). Without moving your torso, slowly lower the left dumbbell to the side; at the same time, exhale and brace your abs to prevent the opposite shoulder from lifting. Keeping the elbow soft, bring the hand back to starting position. Repeat with opposite arm; that’s 1 rep. Do 2–3 sets of 12 reps.

Curtsy lunge and press back

(for legs, hips, thighs, core)
Stand with feet hip-distance apart, weight in each hand, arms hanging by sides with palms facing in. Step right foot diagonally behind left, bending knees to squat down while keeping hips facing front. Keeping abs tight, hinge body forward, pressing hands back and up, rotating palms toward ceiling and pulling shoulders open. Return to starting position, and repeat on opposite side; that’s 1 rep. Do 2–3 sets of 12–15 reps.

More training tips

Do this 20-minute routine 2–3 times per week on nonconsecutive days, keeping these tips in mind:

•Warm up by doing arm swings, shoulder circles, marches, squats, jumping jacks, etc. for 5–10 minutes.
•When a move calls for dumbbells, select a weight (5–15 pounds) that’s heavy enough to tire your muscles within 8–15 reps.
•Cool down by stretching your quads, butt, hamstrings, lower back, chest, and shoulders.

Once you’re good with these moves, try them in a circuit format: Do 1 set of each with no rest in between, then jump rope or do other cardio for 2–5 minutes; repeat for a second or even third set. The intervals will up your calorie burn even more. Hope this can help!

****If you would like a complete guide to a workout daily you can also check out Fighter Workouts for Fat Loss for Women! 

Advanced Fighter Workouts are going to blow your mind. With the extra level of challenge and variation, you'll never get bored - and that's the key for you to maintain your lean toned sexy body forever. The fighter workout cardio program is the cardio program you can do any place at any time, with or without equipment. You'll cut your cardio time in half, and get twice the results. cHeck AND SEE IF THIS WORKS FOR YOU :)