Weight Watchers Orange Chicken
Ingredients

Chicken Marinade

  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast: 0 points (boneless, skinless)
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed: 0 points
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce: 1 point (low-sodium soy sauce preferred)
  • 1/4 tsp pepper: 0 points (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tbsp paprika powder: 0 points
  • 1 egg: 2 points

Orange Chicken Sauce

  • 1 cup fresh orange juice: 6 points (use freshly squeezed orange juice for natural sweetness)
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch: 1 point
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar: 0 points (or lemon juice)
  • White pepper, to taste: 0 points
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar: 5 points (or use honey for a natural sweetener)

Baking

4 tbsp all-purpose flour: 3 points

Oil spray: 0 points (use a light mist of cooking spray)
Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed garlic, soy sauce, pepper, paprika powder, and egg. Mix well.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken breast pieces to the bowl and coat them evenly with the marinade. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably in the refrigerator.

Step 2: Prepare the Orange Chicken Sauce

  1. Mix the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the fresh orange juice, cornstarch, rice vinegar (or lemon juice), white pepper, and brown sugar (or honey).
  2. Cook the Sauce: Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and becomes glossy. This should take about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 3: Bake the Chicken

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and lightly coat each piece with all-purpose flour.
  3. Bake: Arrange the chicken pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased baking dish. Lightly spray the chicken with oil spray.
  4. Bake the Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.

Step 4: Combine and Serve

  1. Coat with Sauce: Once the chicken is baked, pour the orange sauce over the chicken pieces, ensuring they are well-coated.
  2. Serve: Serve the Weight Watchers orange chicken hot with steamed vegetables or a side of brown rice, if desired.

Tips for Keeping Points Low

Oil Spray: Use a light mist of oil spray instead of a heavy drizzle to reduce added fat and calories.

Lean Protein: Use boneless, skinless chicken breast to keep the points low.

Natural Sweeteners: Opt for honey instead of brown sugar to reduce refined sugar intake. However, keep in mind the points for honey are similar to brown sugar.

Portion Control: Divide the recipe into four servings to keep each portion within a reasonable point range.
Total Points Calculation

  • Chicken Marinade: 3 points
  • Orange Chicken Sauce: 12 points
  • Baking: 3 points

Total for the entire recipe: 18 points

Servings: 4 (Each serving: 4-5 points, depending on portion size and specific ingredients used)
Enjoy this tangy, sweet, and savory Weight Watchers orange chicken recipe!