Weight Watchers Parmesan Chicken: How Many Points?

Chicken Parmesan is a popular dish among Weight Watchers, with several recipes available online. The points vary depending on the specific Weight Watchers plan and the ingredients used, but generally, it seems that Chicken Parmesan ranges from 4 to 9 points per portion on Weight Watchers. The dish typically consists of breaded chicken breasts baked in a tomato sauce and topped with cheese, providing a tasty and relatively low-point option for those following the Weight Watchers program.

Chicken Parmesan recipe

Chicken Parmesan, also known as Chicken Parmigiana, is an Italian-American dish that consists of breaded chicken, tomato sauce, cheese, and herbs. The dish can be made in several ways, including pan-frying or baking the chicken, and different types of cheese and sauce can be used. Here is a recipe for Chicken Parmesan that outlines a general method for preparing the dish, with some variations suggested.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• Flour
• Eggs
• Breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Tomato sauce
• Salt and pepper
• Other seasonings (e.g. Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder)
• Cooking spray (optional)
• Oil (if pan-frying)
• Other types of cheese (optional)

Method:

Start by preparing the chicken breasts. Place each breast between two sheets of heavy plastic or freezer bags and pound them to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. This step ensures that the chicken cooks evenly. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, or other desired seasonings.

Next, set up a dredging station with three bowls or plates. In the first bowl, place the flour and season it with salt and pepper. In the second bowl, beat one or more eggs with a tablespoon of water and a dash of salt. In the third bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with grated parmesan cheese and any desired seasonings. You can also add other types of cheese, such as mozzarella, to this mixture.

Dip each chicken breast first in the flour, then in the egg mixture, and finally in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring that all sides are evenly coated at each step. Shake off any excess flour or breadcrumbs as you go.

At this point, you can choose to either pan-fry or bake the chicken. If pan-frying, heat some oil in a skillet or frying pan and fry the chicken until golden brown on both sides. If baking, place the breaded chicken on a foil-covered baking pan sprayed with cooking spray and bake in the oven at around 375-450 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Once the chicken is cooked, it's time to assemble the dish. Place the chicken on top of a bed of tomato sauce, or spoon the sauce over the chicken. Sprinkle or layer your desired cheeses on top, and return the dish to the oven until the cheese is melted and browned. You can also broil the dish at this step to get a crispy, cheesy topping.

Serve the Chicken Parmesan with a side of your choice, such as a salad, pasta, zucchini noodles, or grilled vegetables. Enjoy!

Weight Watchers Points:

The Smart Points value for this Chicken Parmesan recipe can vary depending on the specific ingredients and methods used. On the Weight Watchers Blue, Purple, and Freestyle plans, the dish typically ranges from 4 to 6 points per serving. On the Green plan, it is usually 9 points per serving. These values may change depending on factors such as the type of sauce used and the amount of cheese included.

Weight Watchers points

Chicken Parmesan is a popular dish among Weight Watchers, with many recipes available online. The points in a Weight Watchers meal plan are assigned to food to track and lose weight. The number of points in a chicken Parmesan dish depends on the recipe and the Weight Watchers plan being followed.

One recipe for chicken Parmesan has 6 Smart Points per portion on Weight Watchers Blue, Purple, and Freestyle plans. It has 9 Smart Points per portion on the Green plan. The recipe includes chicken breasts covered in golden breadcrumbs and topped with cheese, served on a bed of tangy tomato sauce.

Another recipe for chicken Parmesan has 4 Weight Watchers points per serving. This recipe uses whole wheat pasta, which is zero points on the Weight Watchers Purple plan. The recipe also includes 2 ounces of Parmesan cheese, one ounce in the breading and the other on top of the dish.

A third recipe for chicken Parmesan is a skinny version of the classic dish, using skinless chicken breasts, reduced-fat butter, and cheese. This recipe does not specify the number of Weight Watchers points but focuses on the calorie count and nutritional value. Each serving has 311 calories and 9 grams of fat.

The Weight Watchers program has evolved over the years, and the points values may change. It's always a good idea to refer to the official Weight Watchers resources or consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice.

Chicken breast preparation

Chicken Parmesan is a delicious dish that can be adapted for those following Weight Watchers. The chicken breast is a key ingredient, so here is a guide to preparing it for this recipe.

Firstly, it is important to pound the chicken breast to a uniform thickness of around 0.5 inches. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly, preventing one end from drying out while the other remains raw. Place the chicken in a freezer bag and use a meat tenderiser or rolling pin to achieve this.

Next, prepare three dishes. In the first, place some flour seasoned with salt and pepper. In the second, whisk an egg with a tablespoon of water and a dash of salt. The third dish should contain a mixture of breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper.

Now, take your chicken breast and coat it lightly with the seasoned flour. Shake off any excess. Dip the floured chicken into the egg mixture, ensuring both sides are covered. Finally, carefully turn the chicken so that all sides are covered with the breadcrumb and parmesan mixture.

At this stage, you can place the chicken in the fridge for up to 24 hours, or freeze for up to 3 months, before cooking. This is a useful time-saving step if you want to prepare a batch in advance.

When you are ready to cook, preheat the oven to between 375F and 425F. Place the chicken on a foil-covered baking pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Spray the top of the chicken tenderloins lightly with cooking spray.

Cook the chicken for around 20 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The chicken is ready when it is no longer pink in the middle and the juices run clear. The internal temperature should reach 165F.

This recipe is a tasty and versatile way to prepare chicken breasts, and it is suitable for those following Weight Watchers, as chicken breasts are a zero-point food.

Side dishes

Chicken Parmesan is a delicious and relatively low-point meal option on Weight Watchers, with the chicken breasts and tomato sauce being zero-point foods. The points in this meal come from the parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Depending on the Weight Watchers plan you follow, the points will vary.

Salads

A salad is a great option to accompany Chicken Parmesan. A green salad or garden salad is a simple, healthy choice that won't add too many extra points to your meal. You could also add some zero-point vegetables to your salad to make it more filling.

Vegetables

Roasted broccoli is a suggested side on the Weight Watchers website, and it pairs well with the Chicken Parmesan. You could also try air fryer bacon asparagus, air fryer Brussels sprouts, green beans, or grilled zucchini. These options are healthy and relatively low in points.

Potatoes

Small portions of potatoes can be a good option. New potatoes, potato wedges, or baked sweet potatoes are suggested sides that will add some carbohydrates to your meal.

Pasta

Whole wheat spaghetti is a suggested side on the Weight Watchers website, and it is a zero-point food on the Purple plan. However, if you are on the Blue or Green plan, pasta will cost you points, so keep that in mind when planning your meal.

Other Sides

Some other suggested sides include zucchini noodles, grilled corn on the cob, crockpot quinoa, cole slaw, and mashed butternut squash.

Remember, the points for your meal will depend on the specific ingredients, brands, and portion sizes you use. You can also manually lower the point value by using less breading or having smaller portions of the side dishes.

Nutritional information

Chicken Parmesan is a popular dish among Weight Watchers, with several recipes available online. The points in this diet system are assigned to food to track and lose weight. The number of points in a serving of Chicken Parmesan depends on the specific Weight Watchers plan and recipe followed.

Chicken Parmesan is a lean protein source that offers high-quality protein, which is crucial for muscle maintenance and overall health. It is also a versatile dish, as chicken breasts readily absorb seasonings and sauces.

The dish can be made lower in fat by removing the skin from the chicken and using reduced-fat cheese. The recipe can also be made lower in carbohydrates by substituting pasta with zucchini noodles, konjac noodles, brown rice, or grilled vegetables.

The macros for making eight servings of Chicken Parmesan are 190 calories, 5 grams of fat, 33 grams of protein, and 1 gram of carbohydrates. However, the actual nutritional values will vary based on the specific ingredients, brands, and portion sizes used.

One recipe for Chicken Parmesan on the Weight Watchers Blue, Purple, and Freestyle plans lists the nutritional information for a 0.5 chicken breast serving as: 244 calories, 9 grams of fat, 23 grams of protein, 17 grams of carbohydrates, 2.8 grams of saturated fat, 61 milligrams of cholesterol, 639 milligrams of sodium, 710 milligrams of potassium, 4.4 grams of fibre, 7.5 grams of sugar, 193 milligrams of calcium, and 2.8 milligrams of iron.

Another recipe for Chicken Parmesan on the Weight Watchers Blue, Green, and Freestyle plans assigns 6 Smart Points per portion, while the Green plan assigns 9 Smart Points. On the Weight Watchers Purple plan, the recipe is worth 4 points.

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