Healthy Chicken Piccata...and the Diet Continues

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When do you eat your big meal of the day?

These days, there's plenty of evidence to suggest that  
eating a big meal at night is pretty much the worst thing you can do,

especially if you're trying to watch your weight. 

In fact, it's been said that the optimal meal plan is to eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper. 

Sounds good to me, since breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.

How great would it be to start the day stuffing your face with 
french toast, pancakes, muffins, fruit, and eggs?

And, oh happy day, if I could call the troops to the dinner table, 
and simply plop down some carrot sticks and hummus!

But it's just not practical for most people to eat that way -- 
myself included -- with work, school, etc.

It seems to be an unattainable goal. 

Too bad.

I guess I'll have to keep on making dinner.

If you've been following me lately,

you know that I'm trying to lose five pounds before I go on vacation. 

If I don't, I'll come home with another five pounds, 
and then I'll need some Buttox...you know, botox for the butt.

(ah, if only that existed!).

I'm happy to say that so far, I'm down four pounds!

I'm really trying to cut back on my portions at dinner time,

and not eat anything between dinner and bed-time, except for some fruit. 

And of course, I'm making things that are much more calorie-friendly. 

One of my favorite meals is chicken piccata, 

but with all that butter, it's not the healthiest option.

Fortunately, my trusty Fat Belly Diet Cookbook has a great version 
that's making it easier for me to stay on track.
No butter in this version...just healthy olive oil.

And you know me...
I'd rather do anything but cook, so if I'm making it, it's got to be easy.
The hardest thing is pounding the chicken to flatten out the breasts, 
quite therapeutic, actually...
and if you buy thin-sliced boneless chicken breasts, 
there's only minimal pounding.
The recipe calls for only six ingredients, not counting the pepper,
so it's got two things going for it -- easy and healthy!
A win-win.
Let's eat!

Chicken Piccata

(Recipe by Flat Belly Diet Cookbook)

12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken tenders

2 tablespoons flour

4 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

2 teaspoons capers, minced

Freshly ground black pepper

Lay the tenders on a work surface. With a smooth scallopine pounder or a rolling pin covered in plastic wrap, flatten to 1/4" thickness. Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness is an important step because it allows the chicken to cook evenly. Dredge the cutlets lightly in the flour.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil to the skillet and heat until sizzling. Place the chicken in the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes per side or until lightly browned  and cooked through. 

Add the lemon juice, parsley, and capers.  Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.  Season to taste with the pepper. Serve the chicken with the pan juice.

Seriously good eats that keeps the belly flat...

as long as you don't eat all of it.

But, you'll want to.

You may also like these other Flat Belly Diet recipes:

Flat Belly Diet Lemon Cupcakes

Flat Belly Diet Chocolate Zucchini Snack Cak

Flat Belly Diet Pumpkin Bisque

 
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