Healthy Chicken Parmesan Casserole

In an effort to get healthier and to get fit for our wedding next year, I've decided to join Weight Watchers. I know plenty of people who have done it and had great results.I plan to follow it as much as I can, but will allow myself a cheat day here and there. I figured with all the recipes I have saved, I have to be able to make something unhealthy every now and then.

What really sucks about it, is I only get 27 points per day...which is nothing. Planning has been a hassle as well, because as I've stated in this blog before, Dan is a picky eater. Weight Watchers lets you eat all the fruits and veggies you want, so many of their recipes are loaded with them. Dan eats carrots and broccoli...corn and potatoes have points. Not only is it already a challenge for me to eat healthy, but to find recipes both of us can eat? Game on! I may have to find sneaky ways to get some veggies into his meals, or he's going to have to fend for himself and live off of tuna fish sandwiches.

This is my first "Weight Watchers" recipe. It was actually pretty good. I ate it was a small salad (0 points!), but I'm still pretty hungry. I need to find ways to distract myself, especially when there's a whole pan left because Dan hasn't been home to eat any yet. It was definitely tasty, and maybe it's because I'm on my first official day of doing Weight Watchers, but I definitely kept thinking there should be spaghetti with this. At least after grocery shopping (an expensive trip with all the produce) I have pretty much only healthy things in the house to eat, so if I slip (or cheat), it won't be that bad. I get 49 "allowance" points to use per week that I can dip into if needed. I already used 6 between yesterday and today (not a good start!). I figured my allowance points would be put towards some drinks on the weekend...not towards the surprise package of Panera bagels my summer supervisor dropped off to us today. Though, I can;t really complain, because Panera is awesome and their reduced-fat honey walnut cream cheese is insanely yummy. I was good (and smart), I only had half of a bagel, I saved my other half for breakfast tomorrow!

Check out my source's blog. Emily Bites has tons of amazing recipes and is a great resource whether you're on WW or not...

Healthy Chicken Parmesan Casserole
from Emily Bites

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed (uncooked)
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp dried basil
2 cloves garlic, minced (I used jarred)
2 cups marinara sauce
1.5 cups reduced-fat mozzarella cheese, divided
4 tbsp. fresh grated Parmesan cheese, divided
3.5 ounces croutons (I used Rothbury Farms Texas Toast Cheese Garlic croutons), crushed

1. Preheat oven to 350 and lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish.
2. Spread cubed chicken over the bottom of the dish.
3. Sprinkle with red pepper, basil and garlic.
4. Spread marinara over the seasoned chicken.
5. Spread 3/4 cup of mozzarella over the sauce. Then, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of Parmesan over the sauce.
6. Sprinkle crushed croutons over the sauce and cheese. Top with remaining cheese.
7. Bake for 40-45 minutes.