Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad {Lettuce Wraps!}

Here we go again... oh I love lettuce wraps. Me opting for lettuce instead of bread? WHO KNEW.

You know those rotisserie chickens they sell nice and hot at the grocery store? Lifesavers. BJ's sells giant ones for only $5! I love having these on hand to toss over a salad or for a quick dinner. And what better to do with all the leftovers than make chicken salad!

Of course, I had to make this TLS friendly, so I used Greek yogurt mixed with a little bit of Smart Balance mayo (half the fat of regular mayo and no trans fats) instead of a pure mayo base.


Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
2-4 chicken breasts (no skin) or chop up a whole rotisserie chicken (white meat only!)
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup walnuts, lightly toasted and chopped
1/2 cup red onion, diced finely
2 garlic cloves, minced to almost a paste
1 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt (1/2 cup if using 2 chicken breasts only)
1/4 cup Smart Balance mayonnaise
1-2 Tbsp red wine vinegar (adjust to taste)
1 Tsp Thyme
S&P


Directions:
Dice chicken (white meat!) and put in a bowl. To toast the walnuts, heat a small skillet over med/high heat and add the walnuts to the pan. Cook for 3-5 mins stirring frequently. Add the walnuts and all other ingredients in with the chicken and combine. Feel free to eat in a wrap...but I'm telling ya - go for the lettuce wraps! YUM!

Romaine lettuce wraps

Baked Chicken Parm & Whole Grain Rotini

As an italian, and self-proclaimed carb-o-holic, I have to find healthy ways to get my fix of the classics.

Chicken Parmesan. BAKED.

Through TLS I have learned how to choose healthy carbs and grains for when you are going to eat them and this recipe knocks it out of the park. I was honestly surprised at how authentic this tasted! BJ's sells this salad blend of asiago, parmesan and romano cheeses that is to die for and it is gluten free. Get it. It will change your life.

Coconut Crusted Chicken with Apricot Ginger Glaze

My company decided to throw a "Holiday Party" this month (late much?) and usually our company parties are fancy dancy and a bit too formal if you ask me. Well, this year we got to kick back, play pool and drink beer at Jillians Boston! That being said, Jillians served up platters of appetizers and burgers, the usual bar food. However, there was one app that I could not get enough of - Coconut Fried Shrimp. It was succulent and delicious accompanied by a sweet chili dipping sauce. This of course was not a healthy decision to chow down on them all night, so I wanted to make something lighter and healthier, but with the same kick ass coconut flavor!

I should note that I ran 7 miles the next day out of guilt - was it really worth it? YES.

Skinny Chicken Marsala

I am a carb-o-holic, so even in dieting I need my pasta/anything Italian fix. Luckily I found a great whole wheat pasta at Whole Foods that doesn't have the grainy texture of most. Whole Foods' line of 365 Everyday Value foods is awesome, and this is the whole wheat pasta I now swear by.

Chicken marsala is one of my Italian favorite dishes because I looove mushrooms and the marsala wine adds such a rich and sweet flavor without the added fat of other rich italian pasta dishes (ie. alfredo!). This version  of the recipe is slightly adapted from the weight watchers recipe.

I should note that, to my dismay, my camera is broken!!!! Not worry I am buying a new one this weekend! This was such a beautiful dish and I am so sad I don't have any pics, but trust me....it is DELICIOUS :) and nothing beats healthy and delicious. I served my chicken over a small portion of the whole wheat pasta and a side of fresh steamed broccoli. Enjoy!