Saturday, March 17, 2012

Spicy Shrimp and Chicken Pasta


SPICY SHRIMP AND CHICKEN PASTA

My husband and I love Olive Garden, but the calories and cost make it nearly impossible to go more than a few times a year. So, last night I decided that I was going to attempt to make something that we would eat there, but cheaper and leaner. 


Makes 4 servings, 493 calories per serving


Ingredients:


3 cups Penne Pasta (3/4 uncooked pasta serving is 210 calories)
1 green pepper ( 1/4 serving is 9 calories)
1 yellow pepper (1/4 serving is 12 calories)
1 red pepper (1/4 serving is 11 calories)
3 cups sliced mushrooms (1 cup serving is 15 calories)
1 chicken breast quarter - thinly sliced (1/4 serving is 76 calories)
40 medium sized shrimp -  (10 shrimp is 70 calories)
1 jar Ragu Classic Alfredo Sauce - (1/4 cup is 90 calories)
1 can spray Olive oil ( 0 calories!!!!)
Cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes and sea salt (0 calories!!!)


Now, do the math and you will see that we are at 493 calories! That is one big meal and the great part is if you want to add a cup of steamed or roasted broccoli, you will only be adding 35 calories! So you can have pasta and a side of broccoli, or a veggie you love as long as you calculate the calories and you will have a delicious and filling meal.  Here we go.


DIRECTIONS:
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add in the pasta and cook until tender.
  • Spray a skillet with olive oil over medium heat and add in the thinly sliced chicken. Season with red pepper flakes, sea salt and cayenne pepper. Make sure that you are monitoring how much you season, you don't want to over season and it be too spicy. Once the chicken is done, remove from skillet and set aside. Wipe off the skillet with a paper towel and spray with olive oil and add in the shrimp. Cook until pink. Then add chicken back into the skillet.
  • Slice the green, red and yellow peppers. Spray the skillet with olive oil and combine the peppers with the mushrooms in a skillet.
  • While everything is finishing up, empty the jar of sauce into a microwave safe bowl, add a small amount of red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper and heat until hot.  Be sure to taste the sauce and add seasoning until it is to YOUR taste. 
  • LETS PLATE! This should all divide into 4 equal portions, so take your time. Put down the pasta first, then the veggies and the chicken and shrimp will go on top. Sauce should be the last thing you put on the plate.
The great thing about this is that this meal costs about $20 to feed all four people. Remember that portion control is key to losing weight and keeping it off.

Enjoy and God Bless!