Date Night Flex Meals

Continuing on yesterday's theme, I've got a few date night flex meal recipes to share, for when you want something that feels fancy but is also easy to prepare and delicious. Nothing beats Nutrisystem in terms of convenience, but we aren't going to be eating packaged food forever and it's nice to build a repertoire of healthy meals that taste decadent and delicious. Last night's dinner was amazing- every bite is exploding with flavour and it tastes like a cheat meal.

You save calories by simmering your chicken in a little broth instead of using oil- it adds flavour and removes the greasy taste!

It's also quick and easy- twenty minutes from prep to plate!

Seared Mediterranean Chicken with Quinoa, Goat Cheese, & Vegetables (Flex Meals- Dinner):

2 x 3 oz chicken breasts
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 bunch fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces
1 cup green beans, trimmed
1/2 cup diced onions
1 medium tomato, diced
1 tbsp. minced garlic
1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp. whole grain mustard
1 oz goat cheese
splash of chicken broth
8g spice blend (garlic, salt, red pepper, powdered vinegar, paprika, turmeric, Cayenne pepper)

Prepare your quinoa as directed and set aside. In a pan, add enough chicken broth just to cover the bottom of the pan. Pat your chicken breasts dry, and coat them in the whole grain mustard and the spice blend. I don't like too much spice, so I only used a tiny bit of the Cayenne! Mix your spices to taste.

Cook your chicken in the hot pan, adding the balsamic vinegar when the broth starts to reduce. When it's fully cooked, remove it from the pan and cover with tinfoil to keep it warm. In the same pan, add the garlic and onion, and simmer until fragrant and translucent. Refresh with chicken broth if you need more liquid. Then add the diced tomatoes and green beans, and cook for 3-4 minutes or until the beans are crisp and tender.

Divide the quinoa into two servings. Top with the vegetable mixture and basil leaves. Add your chicken and garnish each serving with 1/2 oz goat cheese.

Count this as your dinner entrée plus 2 servings of vegetables and 1 extra for the mustard and vinegar- the tiny amount of broth is free. The chicken + goat cheese is two Powerfuels and the quinoa is your Smartcarb.