Recipe

Creamy Chicken Pasta with Basil and Tomatoes

December 6, 2018 Katie 2 Comments

This Creamy Chicken Pasta with Basil and Tomatoes is a bit higher in points than some of my other recipes, but it is well worth the splurge. It’s so delicious and easy to make, plus it is kid-friendly! Serving up a bowl of this creamy sauce and pasta will satisfy everyone at the dinner table.

Creamy Chicken Pasta with Basil and Tomatoes

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission on purchases made through these links.

Pasta is one of our favorite staples for easy meals. Mixing it up on occasion with more than a basic bottled sauce is a must. This creamy chicken pasta includes some fresh basil and tomatoes. It makes it a perfect meal for an evening when you want a fast meal that satisfies the family.

Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Pasta with Basil and Tomatoes

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1″ chunks

16 oz Whole Wheat Rigatoni Pasta

2 cups chicken broth

1 tomato, diced

1 red onion, diced

1/2 bell pepper, diced

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/4 cup fresh basil, lightly chopped

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend

2 cups fat-free half and half

1 cup low-part-skim skim mozzarella cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

Non-Stick Cooking Spray

Directions for Creamy Chicken Pasta with Basil and Tomatoes

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside.

In a large non-stick skillet, sprayed with non-stick spray, cook chicken for 7 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring regularly.

Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.

Spray the skillet with non-stick cooking spray, and add in onions, bell pepper, and garlic.

Cook for 4-5 minutes or until the vegetables start to become tender.

Mix in half and the half, broth, seasonings, and parmesan and stir to combine. Cook for additional 3-4 minutes or until liquid begins to boil.

Slowly stir in mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil, and add cooked chicken back to mixture.

Cook over medium-high heat for additional 4-5 minutes or until cheese is melted and the mixture is starting to thicken.

Pour over pasta and stir completely. Taste and add salt and pepper to your preference.

Creamy Chicken Pasta with Basil and Tomatoes

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 25 mins

Total time: 30 mins

Serves: 8

Makes 8 servings, 1½ cups per serving 9 SmartPoints per serving on WW FreeStyle, Flex, and Your Way Plans 11 SmartPoints per serving on Weight Watchers Beyond the Scale Plan 12 PointsPlus per serving

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1" chunks
16 oz Whole Wheat Rigatoni Pasta
2 cups chicken broth
1 tomato, diced
1 red onion, diced
½ bell pepper, diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
¼ cup fresh basil, lightly chopped
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
2 cups fat-free half and half
1 cup low-part-skim skim mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Non-Stick Cooking Spray

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside.
In a large non-stick skillet, sprayed with non-stick spray, cook chicken for 7 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring regularly.
Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Spray the skillet with non-stick cooking spray, and add in onions, bell pepper, and garlic.
Cook for 4-5 minutes or until the vegetables start to become tender.
Mix in half and the half, broth, seasonings, and parmesan and stir to combine. Cook for additional 3-4 minutes or until liquid begins to boil.
Slowly stir in mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, basil, and add cooked chicken back to mixture.
Cook over medium-high heat for additional 4-5 minutes or until cheese is melted and the mixture is starting to thicken.
Pour over pasta and stir completely. Taste and add salt and pepper to your preference.

Makes 8 servings, 1 1/2 cups per serving

9 SmartPoints per serving on WW FreeStyle, Flex, and Your Way Plans

11 SmartPoints per serving on Weight Watchers Beyond the Scale Plan

12 PointsPlus per serving

More Weight Watchers Recipes

While this creamy chicken pasta recipe may be a bit higher in points than you prefer, it is a great splurge on occasion. Alongside this yummy recipe, you can serve up some steamed vegetables or your favorite salad greens. If this isn’t what you are looking for, don’t worry! Check out our other favorite easy Weight Watchers pasta recipes below.

If you are looking for more great recipes, don’t forget to join our Weight Watchers Support Group on Facebook!

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Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

December 3, 2018 Katie Leave a Comment

We love this Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup. It is a super easy recipe that packs a ton of flavor without being too spicy for the kids. You can easily make a large batch and portion it out for a fast and easy low point lunch throughout the week!

Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission on purchases made via these links.

I’m a huge fan of easy soup recipes that are also low in points for my Weight Watchers journey. As I transition to eating more whole foods and fewer low-fat items, I am looking for recipes that are satisfying but still manage to stay low in points. This is one of my new favorite options. I use real sour cream, but you can easily use the zero point nonfat Greek yogurt instead if you prefer.

We use the Instant Pot DUO60 6-quart 7-in-1 for most of my Instant Pot recipes, including the one below. Any electric pressure cooker will work for this recipe, just make sure it is large enough and you follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

2 cups shredded chicken breast

2 1/4 cups Green Enchilada Sauce

4 Cups Chicken Broth

2 cans Pinto Beans

3 Mission Thin Corn Tortillas, sliced into 1″ pieces

1 1/2 cup Salsa

1/2 Cup Sour Cream

Optional Additions: 1 cup frozen corn or 1 cup black beans

Toppings: Shredded Cheese, Cilantro, Sour Cream

Directions for Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Place Instant Pot liner into Instant Pot

Add the chicken, enchilada sauce, broth, pinto beans, tortillas, and salsa into Instant Pot Liner and mix well.

Next, place the lid on your Instant Pot and set to seal.

Cook on manual for 5 minutes.

When done cooking, quick release pressure.

Stir in sour cream and serve with toppings of your choice.

Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 5 mins

Total time: 10 mins

Serves: 6

6 Servings - 1½ cups per serving 4 SmartPoints per serving on WW FreeStyle, Flex, and Your Way Plans 7 SmartPoints per serving on Weight Watchers Beyond the Scale Plan 6 PointsPlus per serving

Ingredients

2 cups shredded chicken breast
2¼ cups Green Enchilada Sauce
4 Cups Chicken Broth
2 cans Pinto Beans
3 Mission Thin Corn Tortillas, sliced into 1" pieces
1½ cup Salsa
½ Cup Sour Cream
Optional Additions: 1 cup frozen corn or 1 cup black beans
Toppings: Shredded Cheese, Cilantro, Sour Cream

Instructions

Place Instant Pot liner into Instant Pot
Place chicken, enchilada sauce, broth, pinto beans, tortillas, and salsa into Instant Pot Liner and mix well.
Place lid on Instant Pot and set to seal.
Cook on manual for 5 minutes.
When done cooking, quick release pressure.
Stir in sour cream and serve with toppings of your choice.

Weight Watchers Points for Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

6 Servings – 1 1/2 cups per serving

4 SmartPoints per serving on WW FreeStyle, Flex, and Your Way Plans

7 SmartPoints per serving on Weight Watchers Beyond the Scale Plan

6 PointsPlus per serving

Note: Additional toppings should be pointed out separately from soup as desired and measured.

Alternative Cooking Methods

If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can easily cook this on the stovetop or even in your favorite slow cooker. This is a very versatile recipe that fits into your preferences easily. For those following the WW FreeStyle Plan, you can also add in corn or black beans for no additional points per serving!

Slow Cooker: Place all ingredients except sour cream into slow cooker. Mix well and cook on low heat for 3 hours. Stir in sour cream prior to serving.

Stovetop: Add all ingredients except sour cream into a large stockpot. Simmer on medium-high heat for 25 minutes stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, add in sour cream and mix well before serving.

More Weight Watchers Soup Recipes

If this delicious and easy creamy chicken tortilla soup isn’t what you are looking for tonight, check out some of our other favorite WW friendly soup recipes. There are tons of options on this list that will satisfy your cravings, and be easy to make. Slow cooker, stovetop, and Instant Pot options are all great and easily fit into your daily points allowance.

Creamy Easy Potato Soup Recipe
Slow Cooker Broccoli and Cheese Soup
Lemon Chicken Noodle Soup from Scratch
Instant Pot Chicken Taco Soup
Vegan Zero Point Crockpot Bean Soup
Chicken and Bean Soup Instant Pot Recipe
Chicken Taco Soup Recipe
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Soup
Vegan Vegetable Soup Recipe

If you are looking for more great recipes, don’t forget to join our Weight Watchers Support Group on Facebook!

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How to Meal Prep with Kids Underfoot

November 19, 2018 Jess Weaver Leave a Comment

Raise your hand if you have kids under your feet, while in the kitchen! I have four kids and for the past 9 years, there have been tiny feet under my feet. They are so curious about what I’m doing, so knowing How to Meal Prep with Kids Underfoot is a must! Meal planning is interesting in my home. When I’m meal prepping, I feel as though it can be frustrating. This is why I’m sharing some of my best meal planning tips!

How to Meal Prep with Kids Underfoot

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission on purchases made via these links.

Feeding your family a nutritious meal isn’t always easy. Between kids after school activities, your own work, and a variety of dietary needs you may feel overwhelmed. Knowing how to meal prep, in general, is great, but juggling it with little ones is a whole other process. Below are my tips from years of experience.

Give the kids something to keep their hands busy

My 3-year-old and 5-year-old LOVE to be busy. I will set that up at the kitchen table and from there I’ll unload the playdough, slime, and anything else that will keep them busy for a few minutes. I try to save the activities that keep them the busiest for when I’m meal prepping. One of my favorites is the Playfoam. It doesn’t dry out like other products.

Save the majority of my meal prepping for morning or night

There are just some parts of meal prepping that I can’t do when the kids are awake. Since my kids’ sleep schedules are pretty dependable, meal prepping at night or in the morning really works. I may do this once or twice a week, so I can really get some of our meal prepping underway.

Some things should be done with safety in mind. Using knives, working with raw meat, or anything that could be dangerous to a little one tend to be my choices for those times when the kids are asleep.

Get the kids involved in meal planning

You know what is fun for the kids? When you get them involved in learning how to meal prep. Give them jobs that they can help you complete. When I have the kids helping me with meal prepping, I love to give them small jobs. Here are some small jobs they help with in the kitchen.

Throwing away any produce that falls on the floor
Helping to cut with mom and dad’s help (I love this set of kids knives for safety)
Picking out which veggies/fruits to cut
Putting the cut up produce into a bowl
Adding the prepped meal items to the fridge

Create meals that are simple

So, I’m not going to lie. I don’t create meals that take up a lot of my time. At one point in my life, I may up the ante on the whole meal thing, but for now, I keep it simple. Simple meals are what it’s all about when you are meal prepping with kids underfoot. I don’t have hours and hours to spend in the kitchen, so I don’t let it happen. Simple meals are where it’s at for this mom of four young ones, at least at this point in my life. One of my favorites is this set of 20 Freezer Meals in 4 Hours.

So, my advice to you with moms with little ones who run around under your feet, don’t stress. Meal prep what you can and when you can. Knowing how to meal prep isn’t about a specific thing to do, as much as adjusting to fit your family needs. If you have a baby, that may mean working during naps. If your children are older, it may mean working with them to teach them how to meal prep on their own.

More Meal Prep Tips & Meal Plans:

Free Weekly Meal Plan Printable

5 Ways to Save Time on Weeknight Meals

Weight Watchers FreeStyle One Week Meal Plan

Weight Watchers FreeStyle Vegan Meal Plan

Weight Watchers SmartPoints Meal Plan

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BBQ Chicken English Muffin Pizzas

October 26, 2018 Katie Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored blog post; while the views expressed here were genuinely mine, consideration was paid to me by Bays English Muffins to review this product.

We love pizza in our house, so these BBQ Chicken English Muffin Pizzas are of course going to be a huge hit. When Bay’s English Muffins approached me to work with their product, I was thrilled. My Beau has long been an English Muffin aficionado, and Bay’s are his favorites. This recipe was inspired by one they shared on their website and is going to be a huge hit for your family.

BBQ Chicken English Muffin Pizzas

We partnered with Reach Orb and Bay’s English Muffins this month to share with you some fun new ways to eat what is typically known as a breakfast item. For years now, my Beau has been grabbing Bay’s out of the refrigerated section near the dairy. These aren’t your typical English Muffins. They are better. He particularly loves that they are larger than most, and toast well to grab the bits of butter or jam he likes to spread on them.

Thinking outside the box is a must for meals in our house. Especially trying to please a tween boy, this mom who happens to be diabetic, and the never picky Beau of mine. Using a great English Muffin as a base for a healthier pizza is the ideal option. The name pizza and added cheese appeal to the tween boy. The ability to use lean chicken breast and my favorite sugar-free barbecue sauce appeal to me. My Beau just likes that we are all eating something we love and that I am not stressed about cooking dinner

Ingredients for BBQ Chicken English Muffin Pizzas

4 Bay’s English Muffins, split and untoasted

3/4 cup barbecue sauce (I use sugar-free to suit my diabetic needs)

1 cup shredded cooked chicken breast (I use rotisserie chicken when in a hurry)

1/3 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese

1/3 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Directions for BBQ Chicken English Muffin Pizzas

Preheat your oven to 400°F
Mix chicken breast and barbecue sauce in a medium bowl and set aside
Mix cheeses together in a small bowl and set aside
Place the Bay’s English Muffin halves on a baking sheet

Top evenly with chicken mixture, and then sprinkle the tops with onion and cheese
Bake at 400°F for 12-14 minutes or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
Sprinkle with cilantro before serving.

Makes 4 Servings

BBQ Chicken English Muffin Pizzas

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 12 mins

Total time: 22 mins

Serves: 4

Makes 4 Servings 6 SmartPoints per whole English Muffin

Ingredients

4 Bay's English Muffins, split and untoasted
¾ cup barbecue sauce (I use sugar-free to suit my diabetic needs)
1 cup shredded cooked chicken breast (I use rotisserie chicken when in a hurry)
⅓ cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
⅓ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F
Mix chicken breast and barbecue sauce in a medium bowl and set aside
Mix cheeses together in a small bowl and set aside
Place the Bay's English Muffin halves on a baking sheet
Top evenly with chicken mixture, and then sprinkle the tops with onion and cheese
Bake at 400°F for 12-14 minutes or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
Sprinkle with cilantro before serving.

Using English Muffins in your menu plan

As you can see, these English Muffin pizzas are so easy to make. You don’t have to stick to traditional breakfast menu items when using Bay’s English Muffins. Think outside the box like we did! Bay’s English Muffins Facebook page has tons of ideal tips and recipes you can check out!

Use your Bay’s English Muffins to create a perfect toast for your homemade pear butter at breakfast. Another idea is to use them as a sandwich bread for your favorite warm toasted sandwich. You can even toast and split them up into chunks and use for bread puddings or casseroles. They are such a great option to keep in your refrigerator!

This is a sponsored blog post; while the views expressed here were genuinely mine, consideration was paid to me by Bays English Muffins to review this product.

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Creamy Easy Potato Soup Recipe

October 17, 2018 Katie Leave a Comment

My Creamy Easy Potato Soup Recipe is going to change your meal plan entirely. This delicious soup has been a standard in our home for at least the last five years. Making it healthier has been my goal, but I didn’t want to pass up the flavor. The compromise below is now a favorite option that comes in at a lower fat, calorie, and points total.

Creamy Easy Potato Soup Recipe

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission on purchases made from these links.

I tried to get away from the bacon in this recipe, but it just adds flavor that is needed. We use center cut bacon for this recipe since it is lower in points and has more eat. You can use any type of potato, I just prefer the baby red potatoes since they tend to hold up to cooking better than other types. Feel free to adapt as you prefer for your own preferences.

Ingredients for Easy Potato Soup Recipe

1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes, cubed

8 pieces center cut bacon

1 tablespoon bacon grease

1 small onion, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

1/2 cup carrots, diced

1 tablespoon garlic, minced

2 cups half and half

4 cups chicken broth

2 cups water

1/2 teaspoon salt (may add extra salt later if needed)

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Green onions, diced

Directions for Easy Potato Soup Recipe

In a large stockpot, cook bacon until crisp. Set bacon aside and pat excess grease from bacon.

Drain the bacon grease from the bottom of the stockpot leaving 1 tablespoon in the bottom of the stockpot.

Reduce heat to medium, and add in diced onion, diced carrots, diced celery, and minced garlic.

Cook over medium heat for an additional 5 minutes or until beginning to become tender.

Add in the potatoes, water, chicken broth, black pepper, salt, and onion powder.

Stir well and simmer for 10 minutes.

Add in half and half, and stir well.

Continue cooking on medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add 1 tablespoon shredded cheddar and diced green onions along with 1 piece crumbled bacon on top of each serving.

Creamy Easy Potato Soup Recipe

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 35 mins

Total time: 45 mins

Serves: 8

Makes 8 servings - 2 cups per serving 6 SmartPoints per serving on FreeStyle, Flex, Your Way, and Beyond the Scale Plans 7 PointsPlus Note: Add 1 additional point if adding crumbled bacon and 1 tablespoon shredded cheese to the soup

Ingredients

1½ pounds baby potatoes, cubed
8 pieces center cut bacon
1 tablespoon bacon grease
1 small onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
½ cup carrots, diced
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
2 cups half and half
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
½ teaspoon salt (may add extra salt later if needed)
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon onion powder
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Green onions, diced

Instructions

In a large stockpot, cook bacon until crisp. Set bacon aside and pat excess grease from bacon.
Drain the bacon grease from the bottom of the stockpot leaving 1 tablespoon in the bottom of the stockpot.
Reduce heat to medium, and add in diced onion, diced carrots, diced celery, and minced garlic.
Cook over medium heat for an additional 5 minutes or until beginning to become tender.
Add in the potatoes, water, chicken broth, black pepper, salt, and onion powder.
Stir well and simmer for 10 minutes.
Add in half and half, and stir well.
Continue cooking on medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add 1 tablespoon shredded cheddar and diced green onions along with 1 piece crumbled bacon on top of each serving.

Makes 8 servings – 2 cups per serving

6 SmartPoints per serving on FreeStyle, Flex, Your Way, and Beyond the Scale Plans

7 PointsPlus

Note: Add 1 additional point if adding crumbled bacon and 1 tablespoon shredded cheese to the soup

Serving Creamy Easy Potato Soup Recipe

Since this is such a delicious and large portion of soup, I typically don’t need anything alongside it for a full meal. You can easily add the crumbled bacon or some shredded cheddar. Just remember anything you add to the soup will increase the points as listed above. If you want a nice side of our Weight Watchers cornbread recipe or some crackers you have room in your points to add that. A half serving would also be a great choice alongside some grilled fish or chicken!

Make our creamy easy potato soup recipe in just a little more than 30 minutes. This is an ideal comfort food recipe that makes 8 generous portions, so is perfect for the whole family or for lunches throughout your work week.

If you are looking for more Weight Watchers support don’t miss out on joining our WW Facebook Group!

More Weight Watchers Soups:

Slow Cooker Broccoli and Cheese Soup

Vegan Zero Point Crockpot Bean Soup

Chicken and Bean Soup Instant Pot Recipe

Weight Watchers Soup: Mexican Chicken Soup

Ground Turkey & Vegetable Soup

Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup

Weight Watchers Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Weight Watchers Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup

Vegan Vegetable Soup Recipe

Weight Watchers Friendly Healthy Beef Stew

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Recipe

Creamy Chicken Pasta with Basil and Tomatoes

Creamy Chicken Pasta with Basil and Tomatoes

Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Pasta with Basil and Tomatoes

Directions for Creamy Chicken Pasta with Basil and Tomatoes

More Weight Watchers Recipes

Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Instant Pot Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Directions for Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Weight Watchers Points for Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Alternative Cooking Methods

More Weight Watchers Soup Recipes

How to Meal Prep with Kids Underfoot

How to Meal Prep with Kids Underfoot

Give the kids something to keep their hands busy

Save the majority of my meal prepping for morning or night

Get the kids involved in meal planning

Create meals that are simple

More Meal Prep Tips & Meal Plans:

BBQ Chicken English Muffin Pizzas

BBQ Chicken English Muffin Pizzas

Ingredients for BBQ Chicken English Muffin Pizzas

Directions for BBQ Chicken English Muffin Pizzas

Using English Muffins in your menu plan

Creamy Easy Potato Soup Recipe

Creamy Easy Potato Soup Recipe

Ingredients for Easy Potato Soup Recipe

Directions for Easy Potato Soup Recipe

Serving Creamy Easy Potato Soup Recipe

More Weight Watchers Soups:

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