Weight Watchers-Friendly Chicken Schnitzel

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 4 oz each)
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (use whole wheat if available)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooking spray (olive oil or any other preferred type)
  • Lemon wedges, for serving
  • Chopped fresh parsley or dill, for garnish

Directions:

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap or wax paper. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken to about 1/4 inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Set Up Breading Stations: In three separate shallow dishes, place the flour in the first dish, beat the eggs in the second dish, and mix the panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, paprika, and garlic powder in the third dish.
  3. Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally coat it with the panko breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the breadcrumbs to the chicken.
  4. Cook the Chicken: Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and spray generously with cooking spray. Cook the chicken breasts in batches, if necessary, for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Add more cooking spray as needed.
  5. Serve: Transfer the cooked schnitzels to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Serve with lemon wedges and garnish with chopped fresh parsley or dill.

Weight Watchers Points:

  • Chicken breasts: 0 points (if skinless and boneless)
  • Whole wheat flour: 1 point per tablespoon (8 points for 1/2 cup)
  • Eggs: 0 points
  • Panko breadcrumbs: 1 point per 1/4 cup (4 points for 1 cup)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese: 1 point per tablespoon (4 points for 1/4 cup)
  • Cooking spray: 0 points
  • Seasonings: 0 points

Total Points for the Recipe:

  • Whole wheat flour: 8 points
  • Panko breadcrumbs: 4 points
  • Grated Parmesan cheese: 4 points

Total: 16 points for the entire recipe

Servings and Points per Serving:

If the recipe serves 4:

  • Total points: 16 points
  • Points per serving: 16 points / 4 servings = 4 points per serving

Summary:

Each serving of this Weight Watchers-friendly Chicken Schnitzel is approximately 4 points. Serve it with zero-point sides like a mixed green salad or roasted vegetables to keep the meal low in points. Enjoy this lighter version of a classic German dish!