Healthy Chicken Pot Pie

I love chicken pot pie, I was searching the internet and came across this healthier version and thought I would give it a try!  Usually healthier versions are never as good, and are full of low fat everything, but for this recipe the only substitute that you really use is a non-fat greek yogurt in replace of sour cream for that creaminess.  It was actually very good, I didn't tell Ross it was low-fat, I don't think he even noticed!

The recipe can be found at Food Network, here or I have the recipe below!

For the crust I just used crescent rolls rolled out on the top, so i skipped that step, if you do use crescent roll, be sure to only cook it for 15 minutes, the top got pretty golden brown, but still tasted good on mine!  You could also use a pre-made pie crust it will save some of the time but might cost you more calories depending on what you use!


Ingredients
For the Crust:
1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 large egg
2 tablespoons 2% milk
For the Filling:
2 small russet potatoes
4 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
5 medium carrots, cut into large chunks
1 to 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, finely diced
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/3 cup 2% milk
3 stalks celery, sliced
3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, skin removed
1/2 cup fat-free plain Greek yogurt
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions
Prepare the crust: Pulse the flour, baking powder and salt in a food processor until combined. Add the butter, one piece at a time, pulsing until the mixture looks like coarse meal. Separate the egg; refrigerate the egg white. Beat the egg yolk and milk in a bowl, then add to the food processor, pulsing until the dough comes together. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and gather into a ball. Flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour.

Meanwhile, make the filling: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Prick the potatoes with a fork and bake directly on the oven rack until tender, about 45 minutes. Cool slightly, then peel and break into small pieces.

Bring the chicken broth, carrots and thyme to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook 2 minutes; cover and keep warm. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 8 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour and stir until lightly toasted, about 3 minutes. Add the milk, celery, potato pieces and the warm broth mixture and simmer until thickened, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the chicken, yogurt, peas and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer the filling to a 2-quart casserole dish. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until about 1/2 inch thick and slightly larger than the dish. Beat the reserved egg white in a bowl; brush over the dough and season with salt and pepper. Press the dough against the sides of the dish. Place on a baking sheet and bake until the crust is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/light-chicken-potpie-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

Pretzel-Crusted Chicken with cheddar cheese sauce

On Saturday morning I am usually watching The Food Network, Paula Deen's Best Dishes was on and she made this dish and I knew I had to try it!  It was very simple and not a lot of ingredients go into it so I gave it a shot!  It seemed rather healthy, I mean before the cheese sauce, but if you know Ross you know he is much more satisfied if something has cheese in it!  I have noticed most of my recipes I share involve cheese.  You can always try it without the cheese sauce but life is short.

Crunchy cheesey goodness :)

Pretzel-Crusted Chicken with cheddar cheese sauce

Ingredients:

2 eggs

1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 

1 1/2 cup crushed pretzels

2 Tbsp. minced fresh thyme

1 1/2 lbs chicken cutlets

1/4 cup olive oil

For cheese sauce

2 Tbsp. butter

2 Tbsp. flour

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 cups milk

Make it:

In a shallow dish whisk eggs and mustard together.  In a separate dish mix pretzel and thyme.  Dip the chicken in the egg mixture and then in pretzel.  

In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium heat.  Cook half of the chicken at a time.  I used rather large chicken breasts and cut them in half.  After the outside got nice and crispy I transferred the chicken to a 350 degree oven to finish cooking.  

In a large skillet melt the butter over medium heat and add the flour.  Cook, whisking constantly for 2 minutes.  Slowly add milk whisk until smooth.  Cook, until thick and bubbly and add the cheese.  Stir until the cheese is smooth and spoon over chicken.