Welcome to my second Weight Watchers recipe of the New Year. Today’s recipe for Baked Lemon Chicken with Saffron is low in calories, healthy and very exotic with the amazing taste of saffron, lemon and pomegranate.
A Healthy Weight Watchers Recipe
It’s only 7 smart points, for those counting points in the latest Weight Watchers diet and is 350 calories for those of you who are following the 5:2 diet, meaning that you can have this as a main meal on a fast day.
It’s also a wonderful dinner party dish, and who would know it was a healthy option if served as part of an Asian inspired meal with naan bread, sambals and chutney…….and, the colour of the saffron makes it look very regal. You CAN use saffron threads in this recipe, but I used some amazing Holy Lama Spice Drops, which are VERY easy to use – the oil being extracted from fresh spices (and herbs).
The saffron drops that I added to my recipe for Baked Lemon Chicken with Saffron made the dish shine – the colour was vibrant and yet not garish, and the taste was exotic and yet subtle, with the saffron adding an extra layer to the flavours.
I served the chicken dish with a scattering of jewel-like pomegranate seeds and some freshly chopped parsley for an elegant and dazzlingly delicious tasty mid-week meal.
The recipe is shared below – DO have a go at making this recipe and DO try some of these easy to use spice drops too, you can get them via Ocado.com. Karen
Baked Lemon Chicken with Saffron & Pomegranate
Print recipe
| Serves | 2 |
| Prep time | 10 minutes |
| Cook time | 40 minutes |
| Total time | 50 minutes |
| Meal type | Lunch, Main Dish |
| Misc | Serve Hot |
| Occasion | Casual Party, Formal Party |
| Region | Moroccan |
| By author | Karen Burns-Booth |
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 2 medium chicken breasts, skinless and boneless (about 165g each)
- 1 medium onion, peeled and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 2 tablespoons dry white wine
- 300mls chicken stock made with chicken stock cube
- juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 2 drops of saffron Spice Drops (Or, large pinch of saffron threads, soaked in 2 tablespoons warm water)
- 115g Basmati rice
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley or coriander
- seeds from half a pomegranate
- salt and black pepper, to taste
Note
This exotic recipe for "Baked Lemon Chicken with Saffron & Pomegranate", is packed with flavour, and is perfect for 5:2 diet fast days and for anyone following the Weight Watchers diet. (I used the excellent "Spice Drops" Saffron oil drops in this recipe, but you can use saffron strands if you cannot source the drops)
Directions
| Step 1 | Pre-heat oven to 180C/350F/Gas mark 4. Heat an oven and flame proof casserole dish (which has a lid), and add the oil, heat gently for a minute or two on the hob top until the oil is hot. |
| Step 2 | Add the chicken breasts and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, turning them over, until they are golden brown. Add the onion and garlic and continue to cook for a further 4 to 5 minutes, or until the onions are soft. |
| Step 3 | Add the remaining ingredients, EXCEPT the rice, parsley and pomegranate and stir to mix, then put the lid on the casserole dish and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. |
| Step 4 | Remove the casserole dish from the oven and add the rice, stir and return the dish to the oven for a further 15 minutes. |
| Step 5 | Take the dish out of the oven and leave to rest for 10 minutes with the lid on. (do not remove the lid) |
| Step 6 | Stir, adjust the seasoning and add the parsley and pomegranate seeds before serving in warm bowls. |
Tracy Nixon says
I love pesto and often make Focaccia with pesto and mozzarella to eat with some soup for lunch or to enjoy with an italian dish for dinner!
kim neville says
I like using paprika and favourite is Goulash
Kim Styles says
I adore cardamon and adore it in Butter Chicken- I like to eat whole pods!!
clair downham says
i like garam masala in my curries
Maddy says
Turmeric – love it’s earthy taste and fantastic colour!
Sarah Parkin says
My favourite is Ground Coriander with my homemade Rogan Josh curry recipe.
Tracey Peach says
I actually don’t use any spice in my recipe’s I’m a little scared of what to put with what & how much
AMANDA ROBINSON says
My favourite herb is basil and I love making chicken lasagna with a nice fresh tomato & basil sauce
laura banks says
cumin in my curries
ashleigh allan says
Cinnamon – in an apple pie!
Kirsty Fox says
I absolutely love Cinnamon, I use it in ginger cakes.
Katherine L says
I love mint … and my favourite recipe is for a luscious homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream!
iain maciver says
paprika in chicken
Robyn Logan Clarke says
Paprika in Hungarian Goulash
melanie stirling says
Turmeric in chicken biryani.
Nat thomason says
Chinese five spice in a stir fry
Stephanie says
My favorite spice is nutmeg and my new favorite recipe is “Comfort Chicken Casserole”, from the Lavender and Lovage web site!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Stephanie! Karen
Ruth Harwood says
I often use Rosemary on my Potatoes and Mild Chilli powder in most dishes I make to give them a kick xx
Ray Dodds says
Paprika and goulash
kim plant says
peri peri chicken 😀 x
amy fidler says
Paprika,i love to make my own tomato and paprika pesto
Eb Gargano says
Gorgeous dish, Karen. I make something similar, but have never thought to add pomegranate. Might just have to do that next time. 🙂 My favourite spice, gosh, that’s practically like asking me to choose my favourite child (or my favourite wine for that matter!) Hmmm…I’m going to say paprika in my Spanish-style Chicken Traybake. Eb x
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Eb! I DO love Paprika too, especially Pimenton the smoky paprika! Karen
Clare Webb says
Ginger and I love using it when I make orange & ginger chicken. The kids love it too – bonus!
Leanne Lunn says
Cumin in a lovely chicken curry .
Samantha loughlin says
Paprika esp in chillie
Jane Greenstock says
I love smoked paprika, particularly in a eastern european white bean stew recipe I learnt as part of World Food Night for Refugee Action – white beans cooked in stock, red pepper, garlic and grated carrot cooked in smoked paprika , mix together – delicious.
Fleur says
I love cinnamon in biscuits and yogurt
Just starting to explore turmeric i added it to homemade potato wedges las night delicious
Going to make baked lemon chicken with saffron looks divine
Jan R says
Curry in chicken noodle(homemade) soup.
Keith Hunt says
cinnamon in sweat rools
tracy sinclair says
My favorite is Chilli to make Chilli Con Carne, I like it very spicy x
Deb Harmon says
I love so many spices, like oregano and basil in my lasagne. I also love rosemary and thyme which I use in many dishes to add extra flavor.
Kelly L says
Cinnamon!
Susie Wilkinson says
Can I include Garlic, because it’s about all I use at the moment! My favourite recipe is a savoury bread and butter ‘pudding made with bacon sandwiches with a cheesy garlic sauce, yummy!
Jane Willis says
Cumin because it is so versatile and works in so many different cuisines. Jeera Chicken is a wonderfully fragrant way to use it
Jane
Glamorous Glutton says
Choosing a favourite spice is so hard. I love cardamom as it reminds me of my Scandi heritage. Coriander for its versatility but I think it will have to be saffron for that pure blast of sunshine and wonderful earthy flavour. GG
mama syder says
Cumin because I put it in loads of different dishes.
Meave says
Cardamom! I put it in everything, porridge, cake, smoothies, curry. My favourite is probably a tomato, chickpea and paneer curry with lots of cardamom!
aaron broad says
I like Lemongrass with chicken
LesleyAnn says
I love lemongrass but also cinnamon. I love spicy food!
Tracey Belcher says
I have so many favourites I really could not pick one but I do enjoy nutmeg in butter when I cook cabbage
Emma Ellams says
Cinnamon in lamb tagine 🙂
Danielle Cresswell says
I like Saffron and I add it to Chicken tagine x
David Clarke says
Lemongrass in chicken or prawn curry 😛
becky says
I can see these making some great flavoured marshmallows.
Katie skeoch says
Turmeric in a lamb curry
Sharon H says
Coriander in Creamy Aubergine curry.
Kate - gluten free alchemist says
Definitely Cinnamon – love it in biscuits and cakes!
John Frost says
I love using nutmeg in my carrot cake recipe
Ray Becker says
Chilli I like it hot
tracey grevatt says
I love paprika in chilli con carne
frances hopkins says
I love rosemary
Leila Benhamida says
Cumin is my favourite spice. My favourite recipe is chicken in tomato and peanut sauce served with rice
Wendy Stanger says
Cinnamon in Everything pretzels bagels fruit pies rice etc
Maxine G says
smoked paprika, pretty much used in everything! My favourite recipe is using it is to sprinkle some in a sauce with gorgonzola and sage and served with pasta
Hester McQueen says
Nutmeg in mashed potatoes; paprika with chicken and tomatoes; Garlic is a staple in most of our savoury dishes – but not clear if it is a spice or a vegetable!
Kim M says
Love anything with cardamom – have a recipe for a cake I’d love to try
Vicky Online says
Not a spice, but pomegrantate seeds make everything look pretty
Sally Collingwood says
garam masala in my curries is fab
Michelle O'Neill says
i love paprika pork chops
Mary Chez says
Cumin in curry
Kate says
I get through so much cumin – goes into all my curries, dals & my chilli. What really gives my chilli a lift though is a little waft of cinnamon- makes a huge difference. Unfortunately can’t win the comp as I’m not on twitter. Oh well, never mind.
Sandra Clarke says
Paprika in chicken casseroles.
Mandie Wright says
I love paprika in with my lentil soup
Daniela Plume says
I love apple compote with raisins, cinnamon & nutmeg
Lynsey Buchanan says
I love Ground Coriander in my lentil soup
Theresaparker says
I love cinamon…I love it in biscuits my mum makes…I’ve. Tried to follow her recipe but they r never as good!
azra dedic says
I love paprika, I use it ALL the time. My favourite recipe with it is mediterranean seafood stew, yummy!
Harry Sutton says
Coriander in fish curries
Laura Nice says
Paprika on chicken xXQ
Lisa Pope says
Cinnamon is my favourite spice & my favourite recipe is Raisin & cinnamon loaf tin cake
kimberley ryan says
garam masala in curry
Jessica T says
The combination of spices my Sri Lankan mother in-law uses when making her curries – that lady is a genious in the kitchen!
Joy B says
Cinnamon I use it with a range of other spices to make homemade chai tea which I then use to make spicy tea bread.
lez Stevenson says
these do look great ways to flavour food.
Natalie Crossan says
turmeric xx
Vera Bahounkova says
I like cinnamon and my my favourite recipe is Coffee Cake
Patricia Whittaker says
I love making Chicken Tagine with a pinch of Saffron among other ingredients. Gives it a lovely flavour.
Adrian Bold says
Paprika on chicken breasts is delicious.
Sheri Darby says
I love Basil in my vegetarian Lasagne