These days, low carbohydrate diets are all the rage. These diets advocate lots of protein to replace the low rates of carbohydrate consumption. Here are some recipes for baked and grilled chicken that are delicious and very low in carbs and fat.
Chicken has no carbohydrates. To ensure the fat content is also low, trim away any excess fat and be sure to use skinless breasts. The best ways to cook chicken are to bake, broil, boil, or grill. Frying adds fat to any food and if you are trying to lose weight and become healthy, frying is something you definitely want to avoid. If frying is the only way you are able to cook chicken, be sure to use olive or canola oil which are the lowest in saturated fat.
My favorite method to cook chicken is to bake it. There are several delicious ways to spice up baked chicken. In a baking dish that is large enough to hold the number of chicken breasts you wish to serve, place about half an inch of your favorite salsa. On top of this, lay the chicken breasts so that they are not on top of each other. Bake this at 350 degrees for about an hour. After 30 minutes, turn the chicken breasts over and put some of the salsa on top of the chicken. After they have baked for at least an hour, check the largest breast by cutting with a knife into the thickest part of the chicken. Be sure it is cooked completely through. This makes a delicious, healthy meal for your family.
An additional way to add flavor to healthy, baked chicken is to use tomato chunks and sweet basil. Again, line the bottom of a baking dish with tomatoes. Sprinkle dried basil on top of the tomatoes. Place the chicken breasts on top of the tomatoes and top with basil, also. Bake this in the same manner as above.
Something a bit quicker is to use bottle spices. You can purchase lemon pepper in a bottle. This is delicious on baked chicken. You can also find other flavors that would be good on chicken. Even plain garlic powder can make chicken more flavorful and is very healthy in it’s own right.
Rosemary is another herb that can be used on baked chicken. Marinate skinless chicken breasts in lime juice for at least two hours. Put a small amount of the lime juice in a baking dish. It should be approximately 1/4 of an inch deep, at the most. Place the chicken breasts in the baking dish and top with rosemary. Bake the chicken in the same manner as above.
Grilled chicken can also be used to produce delicious meals. After grilling, the chicken can be cubed and used in tacos. To keep the dish low in carbs you should use multi-grain chips or tortillas. You can add any type of taco topping such as lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, low-fat cheese, low-fat sour cream, or taco sauce. Chicken that has been grilled can also spice up healthy green salads.
For a change of pace, make chicken kabobs. Place cubed chicken on bamboo skewers along with onions, mushrooms, and different varieties of peppers. This is delicious cooked on a grill. Try different vegetables to get the combination you and your family enjoy the most.
Chicken is a healthy source of protein. It is low in carbohydrates, fat, and cholesterol. If you cook it in the correct manner, you can have a healthy meal. The main goal is to keep your meals appealing. And, if you have several different methods of preparing a meal, it should appeal to you and your family for a very long time.
