Boring, Bland Chicken. Help!
In anticipation of my upcoming high school reunion, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc., I am on a pre-holiday diet. This consists of 5 small meals a day, each containing a small amount of protein, complex carbohydrates, and a lot of vegetables. No salt, no dairy, and you can only drink water. I know, you're horrified. But I've already lost 9 pounds, and I'll be darned if I'm going to eat 3 pieces of pecan pie and feel guilty this Thanksgiving!
However, this is the most boring diet in the entire world. I mean how many days in a row can you eat baked chicken breast with garlic and rosemary, brown rice, and asparagus? I am DYING to cook something interesting, or at least have a tastier meal. I have only a few days left of this (thank Christ) but I'd love new ideas on how to prepare chicken with minimal sodium and fat (we're talking boneless, skinless breasts here.)
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
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14 Comments:
why don't you make chicken packets and cook the veggies and chicken together with fresh lemon or lime juice or even sliced citrus and some fresh herbs. Wrap in foil and bake if that is what you do. I would just throw them out on the grill.
izatryt at 10:26AM on 10/15/08
I had chicken in a restaurant a few weeks ago and it was served with a leek sauce, im guessing its made the same way leek soup is made, but blitzed really fine, why dont you try something like that? its really filling too, so you dont even need a lot.
Charliew9 at 11:01AM on 10/15/08
dont use those boring boneless skinless breasts, they are worse than sawdust! just take off the skin before you eat it!
huneybumper at 11:11AM on 10/15/08
How about a stirfry w/ lots of broccili, carrots, water chestnuts, carrots, spinach, baby corn low salt stir fry sauce
grilled breasts w/ pineapple mango salsa
grilled breasts w/ tomato sauce and melted reduced fat cheese
grilled on a whole wheat wrap w/ salsa black beans and guacomole
KtMc24 at 11:21AM on 10/15/08
Work those spices. Chicken Tikka is a great spice melange and low or non fat yogurt and would be great in a non stick pan, broiled or grilled.
Lemon and capers with maybe a teaspoon of that yogurt. Oh hells bells I could turn chicken into sexy any day.
If you want creamy sauce sub cauliflower and then just build on that.
Process hot cauliflower in the blender and add in your yogurt and spices and you got creamy delicious sauce and it is in your diet.
Mr Tomato is on a low cholestrol diet and he is eating great stuff.
JerzeeTomato at 1:29PM on 10/15/08
Well, for chicken, I'd try soup or chili or casseroles. They don't have to be starch and/or fat heavy.
But, what I'm really wondering is why you're limiting yourself to chicken breasts and brown rice? The idea is lean protein and nutrient-rich complex carbs, right?
Fish?
Shrimp?
Small baked potato stuffed with steamed vegetables?
Sweet potatoes?
Quinoa?
Wheat bulgur pilaf?
Lentil vegetable soup?
Split pea soup?
Turkey breast?
Hummus?
Eggs?
Soups are so deceptively filling and such an easy way to really pack in a lot of vegetables and nutrients. I'd really give those some thought. As an added bonus, they're super easy and generally VERY economical. And they are seasonally appropriate.
Also, why no salt? If you find your food boring, salt is key to making things a bit more interesting. Salt has nothing to do with being overweight. As long as it's used sparingly (which is what should be done anyway), and with sufficient fluid intake, it's not even going to contribute to so-called water weight. It's a vital nutrient for most people, so unless you've omitted it for a specific health reason, I'd strongly encourage you to add a dash of salt.
LoCo at 2:22PM on 10/15/08
What about skipping the chicken and instead subbing for slow-cooked black or red beans? They can be spiced up as you wish, I like mine quite spicy, they go great with rice, and they're as far as I know a pretty lean protein!
Other than that, maybe try a dry rub on your chicken with cayenne and garlic powder, and then cook it with lime as someone else here suggested.
nightowl at 2:28PM on 10/15/08
Poach. Shred. Make Enchiladas or tacos or what have you with lots of peppers and onions and a small amount of tortillas. Spice it up with cilantro and jalapeno or serrano peppers.
ccbweb at 8:03PM on 10/15/08
All good ideas, thanks guys, I feel more inspired now!
@LoCo - I WISH I liked fish, because I'd have a whole lot more variety right now. I guess I've been sticking to chicken cause it's cheaper than shrimp or pork. I've never attempted quinoa or wheat bulgar, I'll have to try...
Also, I think the idea is not to use excess salt, because it retains water. I've been grilling chicken with mustard, etc, and using salad dressing with a little salt, but i don't salt my food after it's prepared, like I normally would.
I'm trying black beans today, and I think I'll try some spicy fajitas tonight (with skin-on chicken, skin removed, thanks huney!)
embolini9 at 9:40AM on 10/16/08
i would do chicken rubbed with oil, some minced garlic and a mixture of herbs. saute it or roast it with some greens- kale, spinach, broccoli,etc and a starch - maybe roasted carrots with honey, roasted potatoes mixed with some lemon juice and greek yogurt or just seasoned with pepper and more herbs, bulgur. if you want, you could try mashing some beans- black/pink/pinto, with some finely chopped peppers and onions and seasonings like cumin, coriander, crushed red pepper, chili powder and throw in maybe an egg white and leftover rice or low sodium,crushed tortilla chips and make a burger. serve with your choice of side. tofu's a great meat sub too, just season it however you like. i love to do a saute of minced pepper, onion, and garlic mixed with diced butternut squash, a tablespoon or two of organic tomato paste and light pink beans with about 2 cups of water. let that cook down and serve with either saffron rice or plain white rice and you've got yourself a meal. need more protein? throw in a pan fried egg and serve it over the rice.
if you can find low sodium chicken sausage, theyre great too. only a small amount of fat and they go with just about anything - in wraps, with pasta, greens, the possibilities are endless.
spicedyankee at 10:02AM on 10/16/08
oh, you could also caramelize some onions - butter, medium heat, one or two finely sliced onions cooked for about 20 minutes over medium-low heat. once those are done, saute some chicken with spinach and make yourself a sandwich or wrap with your choice of provolone or mozzarella even feta cheese. i love broccoli, diced chicken and feta mixed with orzo also.
spicedyankee at 10:10AM on 10/16/08
Try brining the chicken breasts before cooking: dissolve 1/4 cup kosher salt in a quart of cool water, add the chicken and refrigerate for an hour or so. It won't add much sodium, and the chicken will be juicier and more flavorful.
Cathy at 4:36PM on 10/16/08
I'd forget the diet.
IndyGal at 5:46AM on 10/17/08
Let the chicken fly away and get some nice pork tenderloins. You can use them almost anywhere you would use chicken or beef and they are extremely lean but oh so tender! Cube one, mix the cubes with a nice, low salt dry rub (like Mrs. Dash) and skewer with veggies of your choice, then grill. You could also marinate a whole one with some lemon juice and garlic, then roast med. rare in oven or on grill. It's great with grilled garlic/lemon asparagus. And of course, serve with any of the complex carb ideas above^. It's also wonderful marinated in some fresh pineapple juice with a diced chipotle. Again, shish kabob it with the fresh pineapple chunks. Go crazy! Plus, take a nice brisk walk (perfect weather for this) while marinating. BTW, I'm sure you'll look amazingly svelte at your reunion!
Josdean at 12:37PM on 10/18/08