Crispy Mexican Chicken Low Fat Food

MEXICAN PULLED (SHREDDED) CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix the olive oil (2 tablespoons), smoked paprika (1 tablespoon), ground coriander (1 teaspoon), ground cumin (1 teaspoon), garlic powder (1 teaspoon), kosher salt (1 teaspoon), black pepper (1/2 teaspoon), and lime juice and zest (from one lime) in a small bowl or glass measuring cup.
• Place the chicken thighs in a container, bowl, or large plastic bag. Pour the marinade on top (it will be thick) and or stir to coat each piece of chicken evenly (if in a bag, just smoosh it around until everything is evenly coated). Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, or as long as 24 hours.
• Heat a large (12-inch) non-stick skillet over medium high heat (see notes for other skillets). Add marinated chicken; sear without moving on one side for 5-7 minutes (check that it's not burning after 2-3 minutes- you may want to turn the heat down to medium if you have very hot burners or flip it earlier if it's cooking fast).
• Once the seared side is browned and looking crispy, flip to other side and sear, until chicken is cooked through to 165 degrees F or meat is no longer pink (another 5-10 minutes, depending on thickness and size of chicken. Turn the heat down to medium or medium-low if both sides are seared but inside is not yet cooked the whole way). If you have a lid to your skillet, you can cover it to speed up the cooking time a bit.
• Remove chicken from skillet to a cutting board. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then shred with two forks. Optional: for an extra punch of flavor, you can return the shredded chicken to the skillet to coat in the cooking juices.
• Serve with a squeeze of fresh lime juice garnished with fresh cilantro, if desired. Use in enchiladas, on tacos or burritos, in bowls, or on its own as a main course.

BAKED-UP FRIED CHICKEN, LOW FAT

Steps:

• . Preheat oven to 450F (230C).
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack on top.
• Spray rack with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, whisk buttermilk with egg white, add chicken and turn to evenly coat.
• Measure flour, salt, garlic powder, oregano, chili powder and baking powder into a large plastic bag.
• Close top and gently shake to evenly mix.
• Remove chicken, one piece at a time, from buttermilk and shake off excess liquid, then place in bag.
• Close top and shake gently to evenly coat.
• Remove from bag, shaking off excess coating, then place on rack, repeat with remaining chicken, one piece at a time.
• Discard any remaining milk and flour mixtures.
• Using a brush, lightly dab oil as evenly as possible over coating on chicken.
• Bake in centre of preheated oven until coating is crisp and golden, about 30 minutes.
• TIP:.
• If you have time, let chicken marinate in buttermilk before roasting. This makes it even more tender and adds tang, too! Place chicken and buttermilk mixture in a large plastic bag. Push chicken down into marinade, then squeeze out as much air as possible from bag. Seal tightly with an elastic band as close to chicken as possible. Place in a large bowl. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Then proceed with recipe as written.

CRISPY MEXICAN CHICKEN (LOW-FAT)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425.
• Spray 9X13 baking dish with vegetable oil cooking spray.
• In a shallow bowl, combine melted vegetable oil spread, milk, chives and salt.
• In a seperate bowl, combine corn flake crumbs, taco seasoning and parsley.
• Dip chicken breasts, one at a time, into liquid mixture then roll in corn flake crumbs.
• Place in baking dish.
• Spray lightly with vegetable oil cooking spray.
• Bake 20-25 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink inside.

QUICK AND EASY MEXICAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Heat a greased skillet to medium. Rub chicken pieces with garlic, salt, pepper and cumin to taste; place in hot skillet. Cook until brown on both sides and no longer pink, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Transfer chicken to 9x13-inch baking dish or casserole dish, top with salsa and cheese, and bake in preheated oven until cheese is bubbly and starts to brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

CREAMY CROCK POT CHICKEN (LOW FAT)

Steps:

• Put chicken in bottom of crock pot.
• Mix together all other ingredients and pour over chicken.
• Cook on low 6-8 hours, or on high 3-4 hours.
• I usually serve this over brown rice.

LOW FAT CHICKEN PARMESAN MEDITERRANEAN

Steps:

• NOTE: I cut chivken breasts horizontally as I like thinner chicken breasts.
• RINSE chicken and pat dry; rub with Italian herbs.
• In bowl, combine breadcrumbs and feta cheese.
• NOTE: I used the back of a fork to break down feat cheese into much smaller pieces.
• DREDGE chicken breasts into breadcrumb mixture making sure both sides are coated.
• I used Health Griller (lightly sprayed)but you can also make this on the stovetop in a lightly oiled fry pan.
• COOK about 6 minutes until golden brown.
• Place chicken breasts on flat tray.
• Spoon canned tomatoes over top of chicken breast and cover with mozarella cheese; place under griller until tomato sauce is hot and cheese has melted
• NOTE: I used Canned tomatoes with Basil and Garlic for more flavouring; can use any type pasta sauce too -- is simply up to you! :).
• NOTE: Can heat up canned tomatoes or tomato sauce before you put it in the chicken -- I just spoon it out of the can for ease.
• NOTE: These freeze well.
• NOTE: Depending on the size of your chicken breasts, you may have to adjust for more or less breadcrumb/feta combination.
• ENJOY!

FIESTA PIZZA (LOW-FAT)

Steps:

• Bake pizza crust according to package directions.
• Cool completely.
• Spread pizza crust with refried beans.
• In small mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream and dip mix.
• Spread over refried beans.
• Spread salsa over cream cheese layer.
• Sprinkle with lettuce, cheese, tomato and onions.
• Serve cold.

LIGHTER CHICKEN TACOS

Steps:

• Mix the oil with the cumin and paprika on a large plate. Sit the chicken on the plate and rub the spiced oil all over it. Season with pepper and a pinch of salt, then cover and set aside while you prepare the salsa.
• Heat the grill to high for 10 mins. Meanwhile, line a large baking tray with foil and lay the tomatoes (cut-side up) on it, along with the pepper and red onion. Brush the oil over the onion, and season the tomatoes and onion with pepper. Grill for 12-15 mins, turning the tomatoes and onion halfway through, until well charred. Remove (leaving the grill on) and set aside to cool - put the pepper in a bowl and cover with cling film so that it's easier to skin later.
• For the guacamole, put the avocado in a bowl and briefly mash with a fork, leaving some chunky pieces for texture. Gently mix in the lime juice, spring onions, coriander and chilli flakes. Season with pepper and a pinch of salt.
• Re-line the baking tray with foil and lay the chicken on it, plump-side up. Grill for about 10 mins until cooked - there is no need to turn it. Meanwhile, scoop out and discard as much of the seeds and juice from the tomatoes as you can (so the salsa isn't too wet), leaving the pulp and charred skin. When the pepper is cool enough to handle, peel off and discard the skin. Chop the tomatoes and onion, and dice the pepper. Combine in a bowl with the lime juice, cumin, chilli flakes, some pepper and a pinch of salt.
• When the chicken is cooked, remove from the grill, cover loosely with foil and set aside for 5 mins.
• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Cut the chicken into chunky slices and spoon over the juices. When ready to serve, lay the taco shells on a baking sheet and warm through for 2-3 mins. Serve the chicken, taco shells, yogurt, lettuce, coriander and lime wedges in separate bowls, so that everyone can build their own tacos.