Healthy Recipes Don't Have to be Boring!
This time of year, most people are trying to lose weight. A healthy diet doesn’t have to be boring. Do not cave in! Just make your meals taste good and look appealing and you will achieve your goals. You can still eat well while dieting and not give up on all your favorite foods. Most of us will eventually give up on the seemly endless routine of unappealing, boring foods that we associate with dieting or healthy eating. Healthy eating is physically beneficial, as it can promote changes within our system such as improving our immunity level and balancing our hormones. The trick is to use a little creativity in meal preparation and slightly adjusting recipes to make a lower calorie diet much more enjoyable and sustainable. Remember, making it taste good and plating the food in an attractive manner will turn otherwise bland, boring food into a meal you will look forward to consuming. Just put a little more planning into your meals and enjoy yourself on this healthy journey. This recipe is packed with flavor and healthy ingredients and I know that you will enjoy it.
Chicken Strips with Spicy Sweet Potatoes and Black Beans
7 tbsp. canola oil
2 medium sweet potatoes peeled and diced into ½ inch cubes
½ cup diced red onion
½ tsp. salt
4 chicken breasts cut into ½ inch strips
¼ tsp. black pepper
½ tsp. cumin
⅛ tsp. cayenne pepper
1 540 mL can black beans
2 cloves garlic crushed
1 tsp. freshly grated lime zest
2½ tbsp. fresh lime juice
½ cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of canola oil over medium heat. Add the sweet potatoes and cook stirring occasionally until tender crisp and slightly browned. Stir in the onions, salt and a ¼ cup of water then bring to a boil. Cook uncovered until the water evaporates and the sweet potato and onions are tender.
Meanwhile, sprinkle the chicken strips with ¼ tsp. salt, ¼ tsp. pepper, the cumin and cayenne pepper.
Heat 2 tbsp. of canola oil in another medium skillet. Over medium high heat brown the chicken strips on each side for about 3 minutes until the chicken is just cooked through.
In a small bowl, combine the garlic, lime zest, lime juice and the remaining 2 tbsp. of canola oil.
Add the sweet potatoes and onions to the skillet with the cooked chicken strips. Then add the can of black beans, and the lime juice mixture and toss well to distribute the flavors.
Reheat to warm the ingredients, add the cilantro and serve over brown rice if desired. You can garnish with chopped, fresh avocado, but it will add to the calories.