Guilt-Free Smothered Chicken: What's For Lunch

After running to the store this morning, Eli dropped several grocery bags on the kitchen table and sweetly asked, "Please make me something healthy for lunch!" before racing out to mow the lawn. Well then! Haha... It's the least I could do in return for all he does for us. This is what I came up with.

It was so good, the old me would've had two...or three! Smothered chicken is an old favorite of ours that I haven't made in a long time because of all the fatty ingredients used in the sauce. Simply substituting a couple things and keeping track of portion sizes solved the problem.

Guilt-Free Smothered Chicken
210 calories per serving - Makes 12 servings
Note: if chicken breasts are different sizes, keep in mind calories are based on a 4 oz. piece of chicken, or the size of a deck of cards. We use the "deck of cards" rule in determining meat portions in our house. You can add or subtract 30 calories to each serving if the size is giving you grief.

Ingredients:

• 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved
• 4 green peppers
• 9 mini red/orange/yellow sweet peppers (or 3 large)
• 1 medium onion
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 6 Tbsp. (3/8 cup) of sour cream
• 1 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella
• Salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice each chicken breast in half so that they're thinner and flatter. Season chicken with salt and pepper. (Can also use a special chicken seasoning like Mrs. Dash if desired.) Cook in a pan on stove top with juices from the chicken (can also add water or chicken stock). Slice up peppers and onions and saute in a separate pan with 2 Tbsp. butter. Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix the mozzarella and sour cream together. Line a large baking sheet with foil and lay the cooked chicken breasts on the pan. Smear the cheese/sour cream mixture evenly over each piece of chicken and bake for about 10 minutes until cheese is just melted. Cover with sauteed onions and peppers. 

Enjoy!