This is a nice protein packed lunch that’s not short on flavor – add some extra garlic if you like your Caesar extra zippy.

Caesar Salad with Shrimp

2 servings
220 calories per serving

6 c chopped romaine lettuce
4 T shredded parmesan cheese
8 oz. shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 clove garlic, minced
2 T lemon juice
2 T low calorie Caesar dressing
Pam

Combine lemon and garlic in a small bowl and add shrimp. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1/2 hour. Spray a skillet with Pam and add shrimp. Cook until pink about 3-4 minutes. Pour shrimp over lettuce and top with dressing and shredded cheese.

I’m not a huge fan of plain salads. But when you add lots of fiber (chickpeas) and cheese, then they become special and they do fill you up. This one has both and has a great citrus dressing. Add a few squirts of fresh lime of orange juice to give it even more citrusy taste.

Chickpea Salad with Feta Cheese

4 servings
178 calories per serving

1 15oz. can chickpeas, drained
2 scallions, sliced
1/2 c grape tomatoes, halved
3 T fresh parsley, chopped
3 C bagged salad mix (I like to use a mix or organic greens or mesclun mix)
2 oz. low fat feta cheese
1 t lemon zest
2 T lemon juice
1 t oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 t salt

Mix zest, juice, oil, garlic and salt. Add chickpeas, tomatoes, scallions, parsley and salad and toss well to coat. Sprinkle with feta and serve.

Citrus and chicken just go together ! And the flavor punch for almost no added calories is a great way to feel satisfied even after eating a smaller meal. There’s lots of calories to spare here, so add a hearty side dish and enjoy.

Citrus Chicken

4 servings
133 calories per serving

4 small b/s chicken breasts
2t garlic powder
1/2 t seasoned salt
1/2 c lemon juice
1/2 c lime juice
2 t lemon pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a small baking dish with Pam. Rub the chicken with the dry spices. Spray a skillet with Pam and cook the chicken 3-4 minutes per side to brown. Then place the chicken in the baking dish and pour the citrus juice over the chicken and bake 20-25 minutes.

A great recipe that is as tasty as my original ‘non diet’ version of this dish. It takes 5 minutes to throw it together and then it cooks for 6 hours in a crock pot leaving you time to blog while your dinner cooks Serve with Rice and Pasta with Parmesan Cheese and Sauteed Spinach with Garlic for a great complete meal under 400 calories.

Crock Pot 20 Clove Chicken

6 servings
170 calories per serving

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (120 calories each – 4 ounces each)
¼ c white cooking wine or dry white wine
20 cloves whole garlic
4 stalks of celery, sliced
2 T basil flakes
2 t parsley flakes
1/8 t red pepper flakes
¼ c white wine
Salt and pepper to taste
Juice of one lemon
Zest of one lemon (just the yellow, not the bitter white)
Pam

Zesting Lemons, Limes and Oranges is a snap with this tool. I have a whole set of Microplane graters from fine to coarse and they never fail to get the job done easily and quickly.

In a small bowl, mix the wine with the basil, parsley and red pepper flakes. Spray a skillet with a small amount of Pam and heat on high for a few moments. Quickly brown the chicken on both sides and remove from pan so they do not cook too much. Add the garlic and celery to the wine mix and stir around to coat well. Place the garlic mix in the bottom of the crock pot.

Place browned chicken breasts atop the garlic mix. Squirt the juice of one lemon over the chicken. Put the zest of one lemon over the chicken. Add salt and pepper. Cover the crock and cook on low 6 hours.

This recipe makes oft boring broccoli taste much more special, but only take a few minutes to whip up. Add more lemon and garlic if you want it zestier…it adds basically no extra calories.

Broccoli with Lemon and Garlic

4 servings
96 calories per serving

6 cups broccoli florets
1 t oil
2 t minced garlic
1 lemon, cut into slices
2 t lemon juice
1 t buttery spread
Salt and pepper
1 T grated lemon peel

Fill 3 quart saucepan ¾ with water and bring to boil. Add broccoli florets and lemon slices. Keep at a low boil and cook for 5-8 minutes, depending on how crispy or soft you like the broccoli.

While the broccoli is cooking on low heat sauté the garlic in the onion and lemon juice. When soft, add butter to melt and set aside.

Drain the broccoli. Stir in the garlic mix. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle the grated lemon peel over the top and serve immediately.