Jake Harper
Applebee's Classic Chicken Parmesan is a popular dish on the menu that contains 1381 calories, 57 grams of fat, and 136 grams of carbohydrates. To make a lighter version of this dish, you can use skinless chicken breasts, cook with a small amount of reduced-fat butter, and top with reduced-fat mozzarella cheese and a small amount of Parmesan cheese. This healthier version of the dish has 311 calories and 9 grams of fat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1381 |
| Fat | 57 grams |
| Carbohydrates | 136 grams |
| Protein source | Chicken breasts |
| Coating | Breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, pepper, garlic powder |
| Toppings | Pasta sauce, mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning |
| Cooking method | Shallow fry |
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What You'll Learn
Recipe ingredients
While I could not find the exact recipe for Applebee's Weight Watchers creamy Parmesan chicken, I did find some similar recipes for Weight Watchers-friendly chicken Parmesan. Here are the ingredients you will need to make a similar dish:
For the chicken:
- Skinless chicken breasts
- Egg whites
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
- Parsley
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
For the sauce and topping:
- Pasta sauce
- Shredded, reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
You will also need a small amount of oil for cooking the chicken.
To prepare the chicken, start by dipping each chicken breast into a beaten egg and flipping it to coat. Allow any excess egg to drip off, then lay the coated chicken in a mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Press the breadcrumb mixture lightly into the chicken.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden. Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet and top each piece with pasta sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with additional Italian seasoning if desired.
Finally, bake in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve immediately with your favorite sides, such as a side salad, steamed vegetables, or whole-wheat pasta. Enjoy!
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Nutritional value
Applebee's Classic Chicken Parmesan is a high-calorie meal, with 1381 calories per serving. Most of these calories come from fat (37%) and carbohydrates (39%). To burn off these calories, one would have to run for 121 minutes or walk for 197 minutes.
A healthier alternative to this dish is a skinny version of Chicken Parmigiana, which uses skinless chicken breasts, a small amount of reduced-fat butter, and reduced-fat cheese. This version of the dish has 311 calories and 9 grams of fat per serving.
To prepare the skinny Chicken Parmigiana, start by rinsing and patting dry 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. In a shallow dish, combine seasoned breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In a separate dish, prepare a beaten egg. Dip each chicken breast into the egg and flip to coat, letting the excess egg drip off. Next, lay the coated chicken in the crumb mixture and flip to coat, pressing the breadcrumbs lightly into the chicken.
Add oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden, then flip and cook for another 3 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet, topping each piece with 2 tablespoons of pasta sauce and 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, if desired. Finally, cover the pan and cook over low heat until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
This recipe offers a lighter, healthier version of a classic comfort food without compromising on flavor. By using skinless chicken breasts, reduced-fat butter and cheese, and a small amount of Parmesan cheese, it significantly lowers the fat content and overall calorie count.
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Calorie count
Applebee's Classic Chicken Parmesan is a calorie-dense dish. It contains 1381 calories, with 37% of those calories coming from fat (57 grams) and 39% from carbohydrates (136 grams). To put this calorie count into perspective, you would need to run for 121 minutes or walk for 197 minutes to burn off this meal.
There are ways to make this dish more calorie-conscious. One recipe for Skinny Fabulous Chicken Parmigiana suggests using skinless chicken breasts, a small amount of reduced-fat butter, and reduced-fat cheese, with just a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. This lighter version has 311 calories and 9 grams of fat per serving, a significant reduction from the Applebee's version.
The cooking method also plays a role in calorie reduction. Instead of deep-frying, the chicken breasts are cooked with a small amount of reduced-fat butter in a pan. This technique still achieves the desired crispy texture without excessive oil absorption.
Additionally, the choice of cheese can make a difference. Reduced-fat mozzarella has a lower fat content than regular mozzarella, and shredded cheese melts more evenly and quickly, allowing you to use less while still achieving a creamy texture. Parmesan cheese, with its sharp and distinct flavor, adds a salty and savory touch without piling on the calories.
By making thoughtful ingredient swaps and adjustments in cooking techniques, it is possible to enjoy a delicious and satisfying Chicken Parmesan dish that aligns with a calorie-conscious or weight management plan.
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Preparation method
To make a Weight Watchers-friendly creamy Parmesan chicken inspired by Applebee's, start by rinsing and patting dry 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. This removes any surface moisture, helping the breading to adhere better.
In a shallow dish, combine seasoned breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In a separate shallow dish, prepare beaten eggs. Dip each chicken breast into the egg, allowing the excess to drip off, then lay the coated chicken in the crumb mixture and press lightly to coat.
Add oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes until the bottoms are golden. Flip the breasts and cook for another 3 minutes on the other side. Transfer the cooked chicken to a baking sheet.
Top each piece of chicken with 2 tablespoons of pasta sauce and 2 tablespoons of shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with additional Italian seasoning if desired. Cover the pan and cook over low heat until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Finally, serve immediately with your favourite sides, such as a side salad, steamed vegetables, or whole-wheat pasta. Enjoy your creamy Parmesan chicken!
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Weight Watchers points
Applebee's Classic Chicken Parmesan is a high-calorie meal, with 1381 calories per serving. It also contains 57 grams of fat and 136 grams of carbohydrates. To burn off those calories, you would need to run for 121 minutes or walk for 197 minutes.
A serving of this meal equates to 39 Weight Watchers Freestyle Points, 41 WW SmartPoints, and 36 WW PointsPlus. These points are calculated using a Weight Watchers PointsPlus calculator and the nutrition information provided.
There are ways to make a similar dish healthier. For example, a recipe for Crispy Chicken Parmesan on the Emily Bites blog suggests using skinless chicken breasts, a small amount of reduced-fat butter, and reduced-fat cheese, with just a small amount of Parmesan cheese. This recipe includes Weight Watchers values and nutrition information.
Another recipe, for Skinny Fabulous Chicken Parmigiana, also offers a lighter take on the classic. It uses skinless chicken breasts, a small amount of reduced-fat butter, and reduced-fat mozzarella, with a smaller amount of Parmesan cheese. This recipe also includes Weight Watchers points and nutrition facts.
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Frequently asked questions
Applebee's Classic Chicken Parmesan is a dish containing 1381 calories, 57 grams of fat, and 136 grams of carbohydrates. It is often adapted to be healthier, with recipes using skinless chicken breasts, reduced-fat butter, and cheese.
First, dip each chicken breast into a beaten egg and flip it to coat. Then, lay the coated chicken in a mixture of seasoned breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, parsley, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Press the breadcrumb mixture lightly into the chicken. Add oil to a large skillet and bring it to medium-high heat. Fry the chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden. Top with pasta sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.
You can serve the chicken with a side salad, steamed vegetables, or whole-wheat pasta.
