Lunch

We kind of love anything with a Mexican flavor profile, and this Weight Watchers Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole is a favorite in our house.  Not only have we managed to lower he calories while keeping the flavor, this recipe has given the Wee Child a new found love for caramelized onions.  Weighing in at only 5 Weight Watchers Points Plus per serving, it is a hearty meal that definitely satisfies our cravings.

Weight Watchers Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This is really a fairly simple casserole to assemble, especially if you do prep work ahead of time.  We start by tossing boneless skinless chicken breasts into a Mini Crockpot and then cover it with Frontera Green Chili Enchilada Sauce.  We have made it from scratch, used other brands and always end up coming back to this one.  Quality at a reasonable price and it saves us a ton of time in the kitchen.  I cook this for 3-4 hours or until the chicken is cooked through and I can easily shred it.  I turn off the heat, shred the chicken and set aside.  Depending on how close to assembly time it cooks, I’ll tuck it away in the fridge for later.

When we are ready to assemble and bake, I slice up one onion thinly.  I cook them in a bit of olive oil until caramelized.  This time, the Wee Child helped by tending the onions for me.  At 7 years old, he is really learning his way around the kitchen.  I am super proud of him.

I toss those onions in with the chicken and sauce and set aside.  I immediately pour my tomato sauce, chicken broth, cumin and garlic powder into the same pan and bring to a simmer.  I reduce heat and add in the heavy whipping cream.  It adds a creaminess without a ton of extra calories that is really needed to bring this together.

Once that has simmered for a few more minutes, we begin assembly.  I layer with tortillas on the bottom, next the chicken mixture, then a pinch of cheese, then a few olives and 1/3 of the sauce we made.

We made 3 layers in this dish, and that would likely be how may you would make in a traditional 8×8 pan.  I happen to love this Pyrex dish because it has a lid that fits it so well for tucking into the fridge.  As you can see, the Wee Child enjoys putting the final touches of cheese and olives on top before we tuck this into the oven.

We cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbling and golden brown on top.

Weight Watchers Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Casserole

 

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Prep time

25 mins

Cook time

35 mins

Total time

1 hour

 

Serves: 10

Ingredients

• 1 Pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, shredded
• 1 Pounch Frontera Green Chili Enchilda Sauce (or equivalent)
• 1 Medium Onion, sliced thin
• 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
• 8 ounces Tomato Sauce
• ½ Cup Low Sodium Fat Free Chicken Broth
• ¼ Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
• 1 Teaspoon Cumin
• 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 9 Corn Tortillas
• 1 Cup Fat Free Cheddar Cheese (we prefer Cabot brand)
• ⅓ Cup Sliced Black Olives

Instructions

1. Place chicken and green chili enchilada sauce in small Crockpot and cook for 3-4 hours on high.
2. Turn off Crockpot and shred chicken, leaving in sauce.
3. Set aside, cool and/or refrigerate until ready to assemble.
4. In nonstick skillet heat Olive Oil and onions. Cook onions over medium heat until caramelized (10-12 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Add onions to chicken mixture, but do not wash pan.
6. In same pan, add tomato sauce, chicken broth, cumin, garlic and salt and bring to a boil.
7. Reduce to a simmer and add heavy whipping cream to mixture. Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes or until thickened slightly.
8. Assemble casserole starting with tortillas, chicken, cheese, olives then sauce. Use ⅓ of each item finishing with sauce and extra cheese & olives on top.
9. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly

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5 PointsPlus per serving

4 SmartPoints per serving on FreeStyle Plan or FlexPlan

5 SmartPoints per serving on Beyond the Scale

I calculated this using the Recipe Builder within Weight Watchers.  I have loved being a Weight Watchers member, and can really see a huge difference in the accuracy of point values when using the online tool they provide.  You can also invest in the Weight Watchers SmartPoints Calculator and get the same results.  I’m not affiliated with them, I just love them!

This is one of our favorite meals, because it is so hearty and tasty.  Rich flavors, perfect texture and so much like our favorite Mexican dishes this green chile chicken enchilada casserole is one everyone will enjoy.  At only 5 SmartPoints per serving, you will be making double batches of this to freeze for easy lunches throughout the week.

Check out some of our other favorite Weight Watchers recipes listed below!

25 Weight Watchers Recipes Under 6 Points Per Serving

Weight Watchers Sweet & Sour Meatballs

Weight Watchers Roasted Poblano Chicken Enchiladas

Weight Watchers Green Chili Chicken Enchilada Soup

Weight Watchers Crockpot Chicken Verde

Weight Watchers Baked Veggie Egg Rolls

Do you love pasta salad in the summer? This Greek Pasta Salad is by far, one of my favorite side dishes for grilled chicken or burgers in the summer.  In fact, it is adapted from one that has been around for years.  I first had something similar to this at a church potluck when I was 14 years old.  I remember the pastor’s wife making this, and knowing it would always be a favorite.

Greek Pasta Salad

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Admittedly, this recipe is a bit of a stretch on being Greek, but it has enough Greek flavor for me to accept that name.  You could easily make a homemade salad dressing to go on this, but I personally prefer to just grab my favorite low-fat or fat-free Italian dressing.  When you are in a hurry, that is the easy way to go.

If you really want to eliminate some extra SmartPoints and calories, you may be interested in Walden Farms Italian Dressing.  I don’t care for it personally, but many Weight Watchers friends love it.  I typically by Tessemae or Newman’s Own.  I use whatever rotini pasta is available in an organic or extra veggie blend, but you can use any pasta – even gluten free options.

Ingredients for Greek Pasta Salad

1 box Tri-Colored Rotini Pasta

1 cup fat-free Italian Salad Dressing

1/2 cup sliced black olives

1 large cucumber, diced

1 tomato, diced

1/3 cup pepper rings (banana pepper) diced

1 cup diced bell peppers (mix red, orange, green)

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions for Greek Pasta Salad

Cook pasta according to package directions or until al dente.  Remove from stove, drain, and set aside.

Dice cucumber, tomato, pepper rings, bell peppers, and olives.

Mix together in large bowl with pasta, veggies, and Italian dressing until well combined.

Add in Parmesan cheese and mix.

Chill for at least one hour, bur preferably overnight.  Before serving, mix well again to distribute dressing, cheese, and veggies.

Greek Pasta Salad: Weight Watchers Friendly

 

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Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

10 mins

Total time

15 mins

 

Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1 box Tri-Colored Rotini Pasta
• 1 cup fat-free Italian Salad Dressing
• ½ cup sliced black olives
• 1 large cucumber, diced
• 1 tomato, diced
• ⅓ cup pepper rings (banana pepper) diced
• 1 cup diced bell peppers (mix red, orange, green)
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions or until al dente. Remove from stove, drain, and set aside.
2. Dice cucumber, tomato, pepper rings, bell peppers, and olives.
3. Mix together in large bowl with pasta, veggies, and Italian dressing until well combined.
4. Add in Parmesan cheese and mix.
5. Chill for at least one hour, bur preferably overnight. Before serving, mix well again to distribute dressing, cheese, and veggies.

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1 cup = 1 serving

7 SmartPoints per 1 cup serving

I calculate the SmartPoints on this recipe within the Weight Watchers dashboard.  I am currently on the plan, so it is easy for me to get an accurate SmartPoints count.  If you prefer, you can use the Weight Watchers SmartPoints Calculator as an option for using the plan without paying a monthly fee.  I highly recommend the plan for healthy weight loss.

Weekend picnics, BBQ’s, or get together as are always a favorite in our family.  I grew up with pasta salad making an appearance on a regular basis, so this Greek Pasta Salad recipe is definitely one we will love having over and over again.  For best flavor, I recommend you allow it to chill completely and mix well to make sure all pasta is coated before serving.

More Weight Watchers Recipes:

• Healthy Veggie Dip Recipe
• Cheesy Corn Dip Recipe with Jalapeno
• Healthy Creamy Pasta Salad with Ham
• Sugar-Free Chocolate Cupcakes

I grew up eating a version of this Healthy Beef Stew on a regular basis.  My Mom was actually pretty famous for her pot roast.  It was, in our church circles a coveted meal.  What most didn’t know, was she always made a beef stew the next day with any little bits of leftover meat and veggies.  So, as I wanted a hearty Weight Watchers friendly stew recently, I took a lot of her basic tips and applied to making this yummy but healthy beef stew recipe.

Weight Watchers Beef Stew

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I am almost certain, that when I was a teen I had beef stew at least once per week.  It seems like it was a staple meal in our home back then.  Sadly, it has been years since I have made it.  So, when I kept seeing lean cuts of beef at great prices at our local Aldi, I just couldn’t resist. I had to make this again and somehow make it healthier.  The result was a really delicious and easy to assemble healthy beef stew that we devoured.

5.0 from 2 reviews

Healthy Beef Stew Weight Watchers Friendly

 

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Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

45 mins

Total time

1 hour

 

Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean trimmed sirloin roast, cut into cubes
• 2 cups red potatoes, cubed
• 2 cups carrots, diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 8oz can tomato paste
• 1 cup Merlot or Red Cooking Wine
• 6 cups Fat-Free Beef Broth
• 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons Onion Powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare vegetables by washing and dicing into bite sized pieces. I prefer to cut my potatoes and carrots a bit chunkier than the celery and onion. This is a personal preference. 1" chunks are average. Set these aside.
2. Trim any excess fat from meat. Cut into 1" chunks. Lightly season beef chunks with salt, pepper, and onion powder.
3. In a large stockpot lightly sear seasoned beef on all sides. I use a non-stick pot and ½ cup beef broth in lieu of oil to keep the points value down. You can substitute in a bit of olive oil, just remember to add that to your points total if you do so.
4. Once the meat has seared and is mostly cooked through (7-8 minutes cook time), add in cooking wine and beef broth. Cook on high for additional 5 minutes.
5. Add all other ingredients to stockpot and stir well. If you want a thinner broth, you may want to add 1-2 cups of water to the mixture at this time.
6. Simmer mixture on medium heat for 35 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent vegetables and meat from sticking and to help flavors meld well.

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Servings and SmartPoints Values:

• This recipe makes 8 servings
• Each serving is 5 SmartPoints

While I don’t measure the servings out with a measuring cup, I do measure out into storage containers right away.  The servings are usually around the 2 cup level in my airtight storage containers. So, if you are measuring for exactness, I would say a 2 cup serving would be close to the 5 SmartPoints mark.

This recipe was calculated using the Weight Watchers recipe builder.  While I am not associated with Weight Watchers, nor is this post approved by them, I know that the points are accurate for the specific brands I used.  To get the most accurate SmartPoints calculations, I always recommend using the on-site or in-app recipe builder with your unique ingredients.  You may also be interested in using the SmartPoints Calculator you can purchase and use without access to the website.

Cooking Options For Healthy Beef Stew

This healthy beef stew recipe is obviously a delicious and flavorful choice for any dinner.  While I prefer making this on the stovetop, I can see that it would work wonderfully in a slow cooker.  Simply adjust your cook time by adding all ingredients to your slow cooker at once and allowing to cook on high heat for 4 hours.  Another option would be to use a dutch oven or even a pressure cooker.

I hope you like my simple take on a Weight Watchers Healthy Beef Stew recipe. It’s so easy to make, smells wonderful while cooking, and appeals to the meat and potato fans in your home.  Don’t forget to check out all of our other Weight Watchers recipes linked below.  For more recipes and tips, make sure to sign up for our email newsletter!

More Weight Watchers Recipes:

• Weight Watchers Ground Turkey & Vegetable Soup
• Weight Watchers Mexican Chicken Soup
• Weight Watchers Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
• Weight Watchers Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup

This easy Cornbread recipe is an all-time weight watcher’s favorite in our house.  It is a play on a classic corn casserole, but using some alternate ingredients.  I like that it gives me that cornbread flavor without the points and calories.  Especially for paring with things like our favorite soups and chili recipes!

Weight Watchers Cornbread Recipe

Let me start by saying that this can be a totally vegan recipe if you use plain soy yogurt and vegetarian Jiffy mix.  If you are not vegan, then you can easily use any Greek yogurt as a replacement.

Weight Watchers Cornbread Recipe

 

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Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

30 mins

Total time

35 mins

 

Makes 12 Servings 3 PointsPlus per serving 3 SmartPoints per serving on FreeStyle Plan and Flex Plan 4 SmartPoints per serving on Beyond the Scale Plan

Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1½ cups whole kernel corn
• 1 cup fat-free plain Greek yogurt or Plain Soy Yogurt
• 1½ cup Vegetarian Jiffy Mix
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
2. Spray an 8x8" casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray
3. In a large bowl, mix together corn, yogurt, and Jiffy mix until smooth.
4. Pour into the casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 119 Fat: .8 Saturated fat: .3 Carbohydrates: 13 Sugar: 7.3 Sodium: 197 Fiber: .7 Protein: 15.9 Cholesterol: 1

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3 PointsPlus per serving

3 SmartPoints per serving on FreeStyle Plan and Flex Plan

4 SmartPoints per serving on Beyond the Scale Plan

Making a great meal is easy to manage when you pair this easy Cornbread recipe with one of our favorite soups.  With tons of veggies and a rich broth, you can have a zero point soup that keeps you satisfied without a ton of calories.  That makes it a perfect solution for a low point meal on the latest Weight Watchers Freestyle plan.

Weight Watchers Soup Recipes

• Vegan Zero Point Crockpot Bean Soup
• Vegan Potato Soup Recipe
• Chicken and Bean Soup Instant Pot Recipe
• Chicken Taco Soup Recipe
• Weight Watchers Mexican Chicken Soup
• Unstuffed Cabbage Roll Soup
• Vegan Vegetable Soup Recipe
• 35 Weight Watchers Soup Recipes

This Weight Watchers Creamy Tomato Basil Soup is a delicious choice for lunch or dinner.  I love the idea of having a bowl of this Weight Watchers soup alongside a nice toasted cheese sandwich or a hearty salad.  The flavors and preparation are simple, and it reminds me of my favorite childhood lunch!

Flavorful food can still be healthy, and it needn’t be complicated either.  This recipe is from scratch and so simple! (other than using canned tomato sauce- you can cook your own down but….ain’t nobody got time for that!)  Pantry to the dinner table in less than 3o minutes with all the homemade flavor of soup that has cooked for hours. I also created the recipe in a smaller batch, In my house, I am just about the only one who eats soup and hubby prefers full fat, but it is very easy to double or triple for a crowd or to freeze for multiple meals.

Weight Watchers Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Working on losing weight or maintaining it can be tough when you feel deprived of your favorite foods.  One reason I love this Weight Watchers soup recipe is the fact that it is healthy enough to go into my diet plan for the day without feeling guilt.  Using skim milk, tomatoes and seasonings give you a healthy meal that is rich and creamy without all of the added calories.  At only 5 SmartPoints per serving, it is an excellent choice for a large portion!

Ingredients:

1 cup low sodium chicken broth ( or vegetable broth if you prefer)

1 14 oz. can tomato sauce

1 cup skim milk

4-5 leaves fresh basil

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 stalk celery

1/2 cup onions

1 Tbsp. cornstarch

1-2 cloves garlic, crushed.

pepper to taste

Directions:

Rough chop onions and celery, transfer them to a food processor or chopper and puree until fine.

Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.

Add onion and celery mix to pan and saute until they begin to become translucent.

Reduce heat to low and stir in garlic, pepper, chicken stock, and tomato puree, and cornstarch-simmer on low for 5 minutes.

Whisk in tomato puree and milk, top with basil leaves, simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

If you want your soup very creamy you can use an immersion blender like this to further chop the onions and celery, or put your soup in small batches in the blender with the top vented.

We love this Weight Watchers Tomato Soup with a bit of shredded sharp cheddar and some crunchy croutons on top for flavor and texture!

Makes 2 large servings

6 PointsPlus per serving

5 SmartPoints per serving on Beyond the Scale, FreeStyle Plan, and Flex Plan

Weight-Watchers-Friendly-Creamy-Tomato-Basil-Soup

 

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Author: Jody

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup low sodium chicken broth ( or vegetable broth if you prefer)
• 1 14 oz. can tomato sauce
• 1 cup skim milk
• 4-5 leaves fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 stalk celery
• ½ cup onions
• 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 1-2 cloves garlic, crushed.
• pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Rough chop onions and celery, transfer them to a food processor or chopper and puree until fine.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
3. Add onion and celery mix into the pan and saute until they begin to become translucent.
4. Reduce heat to low and stir in garlic, pepper, chicken stock, and tomato puree, and cornstarch-simmer on low for 5 minutes.
5. Whisk in tomato puree and milk, top with basil leaves, simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
6. Serve topped with a dollop of Greek yogurt or a fresh chopped basil.
7. This makes approximately 4 -1/2 cup servings

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Check out all of our great Weight Watchers Recipes!

Weight Watchers Green Chili Chicken Enchilada Soup

Crockpot Weight Watchers Sloppy Joes

Weight Watchers Baked Veggie Egg Rolls

Weight Watchers Crock Pot Chicken Verde

Weight Watchers Sesame Chicken

Weight Watchers Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal

Weight Watchers Veggie Egg Scramble