Weight Watchers Green Plan: Chicken Point Value

Weight Watchers, now known as WW, is a popular weight-loss program that offers various plans to cater to different dietary needs and preferences. The Green Plan is one of the three variations of the WW program, which includes the Blue and Purple Plans. The Green Plan offers a smaller portion of zero-point foods, which are mostly fruits and vegetables, and allocates more daily smart points for users to consume. Chicken is considered a zero-point food on the WW program, provided it is skinless and boneless. However, cooking chicken in oil or with certain marinades will cost extra points.

Skinless chicken breast is zero points

The Weight Watchers Green Plan includes a smaller portion of "zero-point" foods, which are mostly fruits and vegetables, and gives more daily smart points to use. Chicken is a lean protein that is encouraged in the Weight Watchers program. Skinless boneless chicken breast is a zero-point food. It doesn't matter if the chicken breast is whole or ground; as long as it is off the bone and skinless, it counts as a zero-point food.

If you marinate the chicken breast or cook it in oil, the marinade or oil will cost you points, but the chicken breast itself will still count as zero. Extra lean ground chicken that is at least 98% fat-free is also a zero-point food. Other parts of the chicken, such as the chicken wing, or the use of the chicken skin, will cost you points.

There are many Weight Watchers-friendly chicken recipes available, such as chicken broccoli casserole, chicken spaghetti, and coconut chicken with pina colada sauce. These recipes are designed to be tasty and satisfying while still fitting within the Weight Watchers points system.

In addition to chicken, eggs are also considered a zero-point food on the Weight Watchers plan. However, the way the eggs are cooked and the ingredients used can affect the points value. For example, frying an egg in oil may add one point to the total value of the meal.

Chicken wings are not zero points

While most skinless cuts of chicken are considered ZeroPoint foods on Weight Watchers, chicken wings are not. This is true for both the US and UK Weight Watchers programmes.

ZeroPoint foods are foods that have zero points, which means you can eat as much of them as you like without having to count your points. Most skinless cuts of chicken are ZeroPoint foods, but chicken wings are the exception. This means that chicken wings will contribute points to your daily points budget.

The number of points in chicken wings will depend on how they are cooked and what ingredients are used. For example, a recipe for chicken wings on Skinny Kitchen lists the WW SmartPoints for 1 (4 oz) chicken wing as 7-Green. However, the points for chicken wings may vary depending on the recipe and cooking method.

If you are looking for a Weight Watchers plan that includes more zero-point foods, you may want to consider the Purple or Blue Plan instead of the Green Plan.

Chicken with skin will cost points

The Weight Watchers Green Plan has a smaller portion of "zero-point" foods, which are mostly fruits and vegetables, and gives more daily smart points to use. Chicken is a lean protein that is encouraged in the Weight Watchers program. However, chicken with skin will cost points.

The number of points chicken costs depends on the cut of the chicken, how it is cooked, and what it is cooked with. Chicken wings, for example, are not considered zero-point foods. Chicken cooked in oil or marinade will cost points, but the chicken breast itself can still be considered zero points.

One source suggests that a fried egg is 4 points, but this may depend on additional ingredients and how it is cooked. Another source states that an egg fried in oil is 1 point.

There are many Weight Watchers chicken recipes available online, such as chicken broccoli casserole, chicken spaghetti, and coconut chicken. These recipes are designed to be healthy and low in points.

It is important to note that the point values of StarKist® products may differ based on the product. However, their products are designed to fit into most WW plans.

Chicken marinated in coconut milk, hot sauce, and lime juice

The Weight Watchers Green Plan assigns points to foods like chicken and eggs. The number of points depends on how the food is cooked and the ingredients used.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts or thighs, boneless and skinless
• Coconut milk, light and unsweetened
• Lime juice
• Hot sauce
• Garlic, minced
• Cilantro
• Salt

Method:

• Prepare the marinade by mixing coconut milk, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and salt in a large zip-up bag. Adjust the spiciness by adding more or less hot sauce to your taste.
• Place the chicken pieces in the bag, ensuring they are fully coated with the marinade. Squeeze out excess air and seal the bag.
• Refrigerate the marinated chicken for at least 4 hours or overnight. The longer it sits, the more flavourful it will be.
• Preheat your grill, stovetop, or oven to the desired temperature. Remove the chicken from the bag and let the excess marinade drip off.
• Cook the chicken using your preferred method until it is cooked through. Grill or bake it directly or cook it in a pan with a small amount of oil.

Weight Watchers Points Consideration:

The points for this dish will depend on the ingredients used and the cooking method. Here are some tips to keep the points in check:

• Use skinless chicken breasts or thighs, which are considered ZeroPoint foods on Weight Watchers.
• Light and unsweetened coconut milk is preferable, and track a small amount (e.g., 1/4 cup) as suggested by some Weight Watchers members.
• Lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and salt have zero points, so you can use them freely.
• Be mindful of the hot sauce used, as some varieties may have a higher point value. Choose a lower-point option or use sparingly.
• Cooking methods like grilling or baking are preferable to frying, as additional oils or fats will increase the points.

Remember to track your ingredients and cooking methods accurately in your Weight Watchers app or guide to determine the exact points for this delicious chicken dish.

Chicken broccoli casserole

Chicken is considered a zero-point food on Weight Watchers, as long as it is skinless. However, chicken wings are an exception and are not considered zero-point foods. The Weight Watchers Green Plan includes foods like chicken and eggs, which have points.

Ingredients:

• Skinless chicken breasts
• Broccoli florets
• Brown rice or cauliflower rice
• Onion
• Flour
• Chicken stock
• Milk
• Salt and pepper
• Fat-free cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup
• Fat-free ricotta
• Plain fat-free Greek yogurt
• Grated cheese (mini-babybel light cheese or low-fat cheddar cheese)
• Bread crumbs (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Place the broccoli in a microwave-safe bowl with 2 tablespoons of water. Cover and microwave on high for 3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Uncover and drain the water.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes.
• Increase the heat to medium-high and add the chicken, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the flour into the chicken stock. Add the flour mixture, milk, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to the skillet. Bring to a boil and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes.
• In a separate bowl, mix together the fat-free cream of mushroom soup (or cream of chicken soup), fat-free ricotta, and plain fat-free Greek yogurt.
• Layer the cooked rice, steamed broccoli florets, and chicken in a casserole dish.
• Pour the sauce over the ingredients in the casserole dish and sprinkle grated cheese on top.
• Bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
• Optionally, sprinkle a couple of tablespoons of bread crumbs on top for added crunch.

This recipe is a healthier version of a classic casserole, swapping out high-fat ingredients for lighter alternatives. It is a simple and quick dish that can be adapted to suit individual tastes.

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