Monday, October 2, 2017

Heart Healthy Creamy Chicken Recipe by Melinda Curtis

My husband had a heart attack two days before Christmas last year. Since then, we've attempted to eat healthier, which is a challenge, because my husband loves creamy sauces and fried foods.

Here's a recipe he loves made with spaghetti squash and spinach. The cheese gives this dish a creamy texture, and the chicken helps fill him up.

Ingredients

  • 1-2 cups cooked diced or shredded chicken (depending upon how filling you want the dish to be)
  • 3.5 pounds uncooked spaghetti squash, halved
  • 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 small uncooked onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 6 ounces fresh baby spinach (about 6 cups)
  • 15 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese (divided for topping)
  • 3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, (divided for topping)
  • 1/4 cup basil, fresh, chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
Heat oven to 400 degrees

Put squash halves on a microwave safe plate, cut side down; microwave on high until tender and squash can easily be scooped out with forks (8-12 minutes).

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook onion, stirring occasionally until golden and tender, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently until tomatoes begin to soften, approximately 3 minutes.

Add spinach, cook, stirring just until wilted, approximately 1 minute. Remove pan from heat.

Scoop spaghetti strands from squash into skillet. Toss to coat. Stir in ricotta, 1/2 cup mozzarella, 2 tbsp Parmesan, basil, salt and pepper. Add chicken.

Transfer to a 2-3 quart baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake until bubbly around the edges and top is light golden brown, 15-20 minutes.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. The only time I'm reluctant to make it is when I'm on deadline (like this week!).

Melinda Curtis is an award-winning USA Today bestseller. She writes sweet romance for Harlequin Heartwarming, sweet romantic comedy novellas and sexy sports romances. Her latest release from Harlequin is Support Your Local Sheriff, about a man who couldn't go through with a wedding for all the right reasons. Available October 3! Next week, Harlequin Heartwarming authors bring you their 4th annual trip to Christmas Town with a 99 cent box set.

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2 comments:

  1. Thanks for the recipe, Melinda. Looks delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  2. My husband is diabetic and cannot get him to eat right Jane jrs0350@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete