5:2 Diet Recipe – 280 Calories
Weight Watchers – 7 Smart Points
I’m back in the diet wagon! All of these fabulous press trips recently have seen me overindulge, and as I am going away again very soon, I decided it was time to do a few 5:2 diet fast days; so, here is my latest offering for Chicken & Toasted Corn Nachos with Lemon & Jalapeno Yogurt Dressing, an adapted recipe that I spied on the Donna Hay website, who is one of my favourite recipe writers. Her original recipe was at least double the calories (and WW smart points), so I set out to lighten it, which I did with great success as you can see from my photos! My lightened-up version is only 7 Smart points per serving (for Weight Watchers), and a very low 280 calories for those on the 5:2 fast day diet, (using the heaviest weight chicken breast) so, it’s the perfect way to indulge in a lighter Mexican style meal for the bank holiday weekend, when you MAY have a spare barbecued chicken breast lurking in the fridge, as I did!
It was a culinary triumph! My husband had no idea it was a fast day recipe, and we both loved the tangy, spicy dressing, which went perfectly with the tender chicken and toasted corn. I had a big bag of Turkish style flat breads in the freezer, and they were amazing when baked – light and crispy with extra texture and flavour from the poppy seeds. You can get ahead by making the dressing ahead of time, as I did, and of course you can also make sure you have a cooked chicken breast ready too. I’m sure that the homemade flat bread nachos can also be made ahead of time, and stored in an airtight tin – I’ve got quite a stack of flat breads left, so I’m going to give that a go. If you are a vegetarian, they why not try using one of Quorn’s “chicken style” fillets, or maybe some grilled peppers and onions? I am going to add some sliced avocado next time, I think that will go beautifully with the Mexican flavours, but, remember that will be higher in calories and points.
You could also use turkey in this recipe, or even grilled fish too. The dish was such a success that I have been asked to make it again, which is a bit of a coup, and I’m sure Malcolm still doesn’t know it is a low-calorie diet recipe! Donna Hay suggests you use limes, and I would have used lime in place of lemons, but I didn’t have any to hand when I made the recipe…….but, I may use limes next time for a more authentic Mexican flavour. I hope you will enjoy my lightened-up version if you try it, the recipe is shared below on one of my printable recipe cards. That’s all for today, have a FABULOUS Whitsunday, and enjoy that bank holiday Monday off from work! I’ll be back with some new traveller’s tales from the Pyrenees and from my most recent cruise, plus, I’ve got some new recipes to share too, have a great weekend, Karen
Chicken & Toasted Corn Nachos with Lemon & Jalapeno Yogurt Dressing
Print recipe
| Serves | 2 |
| Prep time | 5 minutes |
| Cook time | 10 minutes |
| Total time | 15 minutes |
| Meal type | Lunch, Main Dish, Snack |
| Misc | Pre-preparable, Serve Cold, Serve Hot |
| Occasion | Barbecue, Casual Party |
| Region | Mexican |
| By author | Karen S Burns-Booth |
Ingredients
- 1 x large Turkish or Lebanese style flatbread (cut into traingles)
- Fry light olive oil spray
- 1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds
- sea salt
- 1 x corn on the cob, kernels sliced off (or 50g tinned or defrosted frozen sweetcorn)
- 1 x large cooked chicken breast, shredded (boned and skinless, about 150g to 175g in weight)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
- 4 to 6 sliced pickled jalapenos
- 1/2 lemon, cut into wedges
Jalapeno Yogurt Dressing
- 115ml fat-free natural Greek style yogurt
- juice of half a lemon
- 1 tablespoon of pickled jalapeno juice
- 1 teaspoon finely diced pickled jalapenos
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic granules
- sea salt
Note
A delicious dish for any light lunch or supper; this recipe uses ready-cooked chicken for ease, with toasted sweet corn and homemade nachos. Only 7 Smart points per serving (Weight Watchers), and 280 calories for those on the 5:2 fast day diet, (using the heaviest weight chicken breast) it's the perfect way to indulge in a lighter Mexican style meal. (Adapted from Donna Hay)
Directions
| Step 1 | First, make the jalapeno yogurt dressing; combine all the dressing ingredients together with a hand whisk, and season to taste with sea salt. Keep in the fridge to thicken slightly before use. |
| Step 2 | Make the toasted tortilla nachos; spray both sides of the flatbread triangles with Fry Light olive oil spray, and sprinkle over the poppy seeds and sea salt on one side only. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes in a pre-heated oven 200C/400F/Gas mark 6. Remove them from the oven when they are golden brown and crisp. Set aside until needed. |
| Step 3 | Heat a large griddle pan and spray it with Fry Light olive oil; add the corn and cook over a medium heat until the corn is charred and "toasted". Add the shredded chicken for the last 2 minutes to warm through. |
| Step 4 | To assemble the nachos, divide the nachos on two plates, leaving one or two to serve separately. Spoon some of the dressing over the nachos, keeping some back to dress the chicken. Divide the chicken and corn mixture over the nachos and then spoon the remaining dressing over the top. |
| Step 5 | To serve, Garnish the dressed chicken and corn with the sliced jalapenos, chopped chives and serve with lemon wedges and the extra nachos on the side. |
| Step 6 | This is only 7 Smart points per serving on the Weight Watchers diet, and only 280 calories for those on the 5:2 fast day diet. (using the heaviest weight chicken breast) |
More 5:2 Diet and Weight Watchers Recipes:
5:2 Diet & WW Chicken Mergeuz Meatballs
Mixed Bean Shakshuka for Meat Free Monday
5:2 Diet Recipe: Cauliflower Steaks with Grana Padano Cheese, Olives and Rocket Leaves
Whole Roasted Cauliflower in a Spicy Mexican Sauce
5:2 Diet Spiced Moroccan Cauliflower Couscous – Tabbouleh with Halloumi (56 calories)
Easy Light Lunch for a 5:2 Diet Day: Salmon and Spring Onion Gratins (250 Calories) Recipe
Liz Thomas says
Hi there,
Just to let you know I’ve sent you an email re possible meet up date. Check your spam box as I know it’s thought I was spam before! It’s sent on our gmail account as the macau one doesn’t send from hee.
cheers!
Liz
Karen Burns-Booth says
Hi Liz,
Just seen it and will reply in full tonight avec vin!
I am working today, need to catch up sadly!
Speak later!
Karen
Cricket Plunkett says
What a fun summer spin on nachos!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks so much – it is tasty but lower in calories and fat than normal too!
Dannii says
I make a very similar creamy jalapeño dressing and it can seriously go on everything, can’t it! I like the idea of having it on chicken nachos. These look delicious!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Dannii – yes, it pays to get adventurous with low calorie subs when losing weight!
Heather says
The jalapeno yogurt dressing sounds amazing!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thank you, it does bring the dish together!
Choclette says
Oh well done Karen. I’d never guess it was a fast day dish either. It sounds delicious, especially that jalapeño dressing.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Choclette – did you see I added veggie options too?
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
So much flavor in here! I love that it’s lightened up too!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thank you Allison – I’m always trying to cut back on calories!
Lizzie says
This looks yummy! I love nachos but avocado doesn’t agree with me so it would be great to try. If you don’t have a spare cooked chicken breast try cooking one in a dish of stock in a low oven for a couple of hours – so tender and flavoursome, and easy to shred.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thank you! Yes, it is so easy to poach or even grill a chicken breast – great idea thanks Lizzie! I haven’t tried this with avocado yet, but I’m keen to try that combination soon!
Dom says
I was going to say how do you keep so trim going away on all those culinary trips but now I know. This looks superb. Love the jalepino yoghurt dressing. That sounds too good!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Dom – I don’t feel so trim at the moment though, and I need to really get back on track when I come back from my next trip in June!
Fiona Maclean says
It looks like a great fast day meal. I should be doing 5:2 – instead I’m just trying not to drink at home! Maybe in a few weeks!
Karen Burns-Booth says
I will be back on the 5:2 full time when I am back in mid June too Fiona!
Patricia says
Yesterday I decided to have a 5/2 day, thank you, love your blog!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Patricia! Good luck with your 5:2 day!
Janice says
That sounds delicous. I’m back on the diet wagon again, but not 5:2 this time, just to much going on. I’ve made tortilla nachos before and they are so tasty and much lower fat and calories than anything you can buy.
Karen Burns-Booth says
I LOVE nachos and it is nice to get a low calorie recipe – yes, the 5:2 diet is hard when there’s lots going on.
Anne-Marie says
I love this recipe! My husband and I have nachos a lot but just as an in-between-meals snack on weekends. I love the idea of having nachos as a main. Can’t wait to try 🙂
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Anne-Marie – do let me know if you make these and how you liked them! Karen
Anne-Marie says
Thank you – I will 🙂
Maria Thompson says
This recipe is absolutely delicious! It’s becoming part of the weekly meals at the moment. So quick and easy to prepare and lots of flavour!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks for letting me know Maria, we also love it and have it often! Karen