Caribbean Grilled Drumsticks

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 3 tbsp. packed dark brown sugar
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tbsp. Jerk seasoning
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 8 (1/4-lb.) skinless chicken drumsticks

Makes 4 Servings (2 drumsticks per serving)

1. Combine the lemon juice, brown sugar, garlic, jerk seasoning, and salt in a zip-close plastic bag; add the chicken. Squeeze out the air and seal the bag; turn to coat the chicken. Refrigerate, turning the bag occasionally, for at least 4 hours or up to overnight.
2. Spray the grill or broiler rack with nonstick spray. Preheat the grill to medium or preheat the broiler.
3. Transfer the chicken from the bag to the grill rack; discard the marinade. Grill or broil the chicken 5 inches from the heat, 10 minutes. Turn the chicken and grill or broil until an instant-read thermometer inserted in a drumstick registers 165 F, about 5 minutes longer.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts.

 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW Ultimate Chicken Cookbook. This poultry meal offers a nice taste of the Caribbean any day of the week. It's quick, easy and delicious to eat. The combination of lemon juice, brown sugar and a good jerk seasoning offers the perfect balance of sweetness and peppery heat. If you don't want to use dark brown sugar, use honey or agave nectar and you'll get the same sweetness to the dish.

Jerk Chicken with Cool Romaine Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp jerk seasoning
• 2 tbsp reduced-fat sour cream
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 (1 lb.) head romaine lettuce , chopped (8 cups)
• 1 large cucumber, peeled and sliced
• 2 large plum tomatoes, chopped
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1/4 tsp salt

Makes 4 Servings

1. Pound chicken breasts to an even 1/2-inch thickness. Lightly rub jerk seasoning on both sides of chicken breasts. Refrigerate in an airtight container for at least an hour.
2. Lightly coat a large skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until cooked through 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board, let rest for 5 minutes, then cut into 1/2-inch thick slices.
3. While chicken is resting, in a large bowl combine the sour cream and lime juice. Add lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, scallions and salt; toss well. Divide salad among 4 plates, top with chicken slices and serve.

WW POINTS VALUE: 4 pts

Note: This recipe appear in the South Beach Diet Taste of Summer Cookbook. This dish is another great way to kick-start your diet because it's so filling with very few points. This chicken salad is no ordinary chicken salad. Jerk seasoning is a traditional Jamaican seasoning that has a blend of herbs and spices that includes chiles, thyme, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and garlic. Jerk seasoning is typically rubbed on meats before cooking. This dish puts a kick on a chicken salad with the Jamaican spices along with all the veggies and dressing.This chicken salad can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner to cool you off during those hot summer days. You can also grill the chicken outdoors if you'd like and it will still be tasty.