By Wendy Zitzman
Let’s face it – Olive Garden is a danger zone. From the breadsticks and salads to the heavenly entrees and desserts, there is Weight Watchers un-friendly deliciousness at every turn. This is why I try to avoid going there at all costs, because I have absolutely no control as soon as I lay eyes on that food. So I found a way to re-create a healthier version of one my favorite Olive Garden dishes – the Tuscan Chicken. Their menu describes it as “a flavorful blend of herb-seasoned chicken breasts sautéed with oven-roasted garlic, sweet roasted red peppers and spinach, served in a white wine and garlic cream sauce.” Sound good? You bet it does! But the restaurant entree is laden with way too much fat and calories, thus making it too many Points to justify spending on a regular basis. My lighter version, which tastes AMAZING, has just 9 Points per serving. Still not a super light dish, but a lot lighter than what the restaurant will serve you. And more nutritional too. This light Tuscan Chicken Recipe is a wonderful alternative that still delivers all those amazing flavors you are anticipating. Now….if I could just make a low carb Olive Garden breadstick, the world would be a perfect place.
Olive Garden’s Tuscan Chicken
Heaven on a plate, this healthier knockoff version of Olive Garden’s Tuscan Chicken is a fantastic Weight Watchers Pasta Recipe for some guilt free indulgence. Creamy, savory, filling and delicious, this is a meal that is truly satisfying.
Ingredients
- 8oz whole wheat pasta, uncooked
- 1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 24 thin strips
- 10 oz fresh baby spinach leaves
- 1 large red bell pepper, julienne cut
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 2 tbsp light butter
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup fat free milk
- 1/2 cup fat free chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small, shallow bowl, mix flour, basil, oregano and salt & pepper. Dredge chicken strips into four and shake off any excess.
- Place large, nonstick skillet over medium high heat, and melt 1 tbsp of butter. Saute the chicken in batches, adding more of the remaining tbsp of butter as necessary, for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- To make sauce, return the used chicken skillet to medium high heat, and add in garlic, bell peppers, and 2 tbsp of the chicken broth. Cook just until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in wine, and bring to a boil. Turn heat to medium, and add in the spinach and milk, and cook until spinach is just wilted. Complete by adding in the parmesan cheese, stirring until cheese is melted. If sauce is too thick, add remaining chicken broth as needed to thin it out to desired consistency.
- To assemble the dish, start by dividing pasta evenly among six serving bowls. Top each with 1/6th of the sauce and 4 of the chicken strips. Serve immediately.
Preparation time: 20 minute(s)
Cooking time: 30 minute(s)
Diet tags: Reduced fat, High protein
Number of servings (yield): 6
Culinary tradition: Italian
Calories: 392
Fat: 8.5g
Protein: 32g
Entire recipe makes 6 servings
Serving size is about 2 cups
Each serving = 10 Smart Points/9 Points
PER SERVING: 319calories; 9g fat; 4g saturated fat; 43g carbohydrate; 5g sugar; 18g protein; 7g fiber
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AuthorWendy Zitzman
As your average, every day, All American woman, I look forward to sharing with you my thoughts and ideas on many different topics that interest me such as dieting, health & fitness. Trust me when I tell you that this is one site you NEED to bookmark! I have the most amazing recipes with Weight Watchers Points that you won’t believe are low calorie! As an avid Weight Watchers follower, I have learned so many helpful tips and tools over the years that I am eager to share.
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7 Comments
Nina10 years ago
Just did the recipe builder on WW site for the OG Tuscan Chicken, it is 9 pts plus not counting the pasta. Recipe on your sire states 9 pts plus and has the pasta listed in the ingredients implying the past points are included. Thought I would let you know
Nina10 years ago
Spellcheck… Not “past points” but PASTA points. It is still an awesome recipe. I used the “zero noodles”
Paula10 years ago
Im thinking the difference in PTS is they OG don’t use whole wheat pasta, Fat free milk and Whole Wheat flour so i think by substituting the Heavy Cream and Cream chees they use for the whole wheat pasta the pts may be the same
Mary10 years ago
Trying this recipe tonight! Do you offer anything else lightened up from chain restaurants because that would be amazing! haha :)
Thank you!
LaaLooshPost Author10 years ago
I really should to remake some more of their stuff…I LOVE me some Olive Garden! :)
Judy Grayburn10 years ago
When you mentionedtheOlive Garden a wave of nostalgia and longing came over me! When we visit our friends in Charlotte ( not often as we live in the UK) we always go to the Olive Garden We have nothing to touch it in England Who can resist thebread or salads or bean/ chicken soups! Mind you I wasn’t doing WW then so I shall lookto recreate itfrom your recipe and think fondly of our times in OG!
Heather M10 years ago
Now… if we can just find a WW-friendly AND tasty version of their breadsticks….
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