Skinny Thai Chicken and Peanut Noodles

Here’s a absolutely delicious dinner to make tonight! I love any kind of Asian noodle dish, especially a Thai one that includes peanut butter.  Good news too: Peanut butter is heart healthy.  It’s very filling and satisfying when added to a noodle dish.  The red pepper flakes add just the right amount of spice.  The skinny for each fiber rich serving, 290 calories, 8 grams of fat, 7 grams fiber and 7 Weight Watchers POINTS PLUS.  It’s simple to make and simply amazing! Enjoy…

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes (including pasta)

Ingredients

6 ounces whole grain or whole wheat dry spaghetti

¼ cup reduced sodium soy sauce

¼ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

3 tablespoons peanut butter, I used natural, chunky

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice or vinegar

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoon ginger, from a jar, see shopping tip

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped, see shopping tip

1 red bell pepper, cut into thin bite-size pieces (1 cup)

3 green onions, bias-sliced into ½-inch pieces

2 tablespoons finely chopped peanuts (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.

2. Meanwhile, in a large pan, combine soy sauce, broth, peanut butter, lime juice, garlic, ginger, and crushed red pepper.  Cook and stir over low heat until peanut butter melts.  Add chicken, red bell pepper and green onions.  Mix well and continue to cook until chicken is heated.  Add cooked pasta and toss to coat.

3. Divide among 4 plates.  If desired, garnish with chopped peanuts.

Makes 4 servings (~1½ cups each serving)

Healthy Benefits
Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein and healthy fats and can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. For the healthiest choice, look for brands that have no oil or sugar added.

This dish contains 7 grams of fiber, thanks to using whole grain noodles!

Shopping Tip
s
Trader Joe’s sells packages of cooked, sliced or chopped chicken breasts that are really tasty.  If you buy a cooked chicken from the supermarket, be sure to remove the skin before chopping and adding to this dish.

Chopped or crushed ginger, in a jar, can be found in the produce section near garlic, in a jar.

Vegetarian Tip
Leave out the chicken and use vegetable broth in place of the chicken broth and this dish becomes a yummy vegetarian dish.


Weight Watchers (old points) 6

Weight Watchers POINTS PLUS 7

SKINNY FACTS: for 1 serving (about 1½ cups) not including chopped peanuts
290 calories, 8g fat, 20g protein, 38g carbs, 7g fiber, 675mg sodium, 2g sugar

FAT FACTS: for 1 serving of Cosi Thai Chicken and Peanut Noodles
1601 calories, 28g fat, 69g protein, 276g carbs, 912mg sodium, 12g fiber

Find more great recipes on Nancy Fox’s website, Skinny Kitchen