Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Apple Skillet (pictured left) Work Time: 30 minutesTotal Time: 35 minutesServings: 4 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2" cubes 4 tsp olive oil 3 slices 30% less fat center cut bacon (we used Oscar Mayer), chopped 1½ c Brussels sprouts, trimmed and quartered 1 med sweet potato (8 oz), peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes 1 med onion, chopped 2 Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 3/4" cubes 4 cloves garlic, sliced 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme or 1/4 tsp dried 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon 1 c reduced-sodium chicken broth 1/8 tsp salt
- SEASON chicken lightly with salt. Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in large nonstick frying pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to plate.
- RETURN pan to heat and add remaining 2 teaspoons oil. Stir in bacon and cook until starting to brown, about 2 minutes. Add Brussels sprouts, sweet potato, and onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in apples, garlic, thyme, and cinnamon. Cook 3 minutes. Pour in 1/2 cup of the broth, bring to a boil, and cook until evaporated, about 2 minutes. Add reserved chicken and remaining 1/2 cup broth. Season with the salt and black pepper as needed. Cook until hot, about 2 minutes. NUTRITION (per serving) 309 cal, 29 g pro, 28 g carb, 5 g fiber, 9.5 g fat, 2 g sat fat, 459 mg sodium Heart-Healthy Tip: Skinless chicken and lower-fat bacon add less than 2 g of sat fat and plenty of taste More from Prevention: Low-Fat Slow-Cooker Recipes [pagebreak] Beef, Vegetable, and Almond Stir-Fry
Work Time: 20 minutesTotal Time: 25 minutesServings: 4 1/2 c rice 3/4 lb flank steak, sliced 1/4" thick 3 tsp reduced-sodium soy sauce 2 tsp toasted sesame oil 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 med carrots, thinly sliced 1 med onion, chopped 1 med red bell pepper, thinly sliced 8 oz snow peas 3 Tbsp sliced almonds 2 Tbsp hoisin sauce
- COOK rice per package directions.
- PREPARE steak while rice cooks. Toss steak with 2 teaspoons of the soy sauce. Heat 1 teaspoon of the oil in nonstick frying pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add ginger and garlic. Cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add steak and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
- RETURN pan to heat, and add remaining 1-teaspoon oil, carrots, onion, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until it starts to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in snow peas and almonds. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes.
- ADD reserved beef and juices, hoisin sauce, and remaining 1 teaspoon soy sauce. Cook, stirring, 1 minute. Serve over rice. NUTRITION (per serving) 357 cal, 24 g pro, 37 g carb, 5 g fiber, 12.5 g fat, 3.5 g sat fat, 335 mg sodium Heart-Healthy Tip: Antioxidant-rich carrots, onions, bell peppers, and garlic keep your arteries healthy. [pagebreak] Couscous with Chickpeas, Dried Fruit, and Cilantro
Work Time: 20 minutesTotal Time: 25 minutesServings: 4 1/2 c water 1/4 tsp ground allspice 1 c orange juice 1/2 tsp salt 3/4 c whole wheat couscous 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 med onion, sliced 1 med green bell pepper, thinly sliced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1½ tsp curry powder 1 can (15 oz) no-salt-added chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1/2 c dried apricots, sliced 1/2 c dried sweetened cranberries 3 Tbsp chopped cilantro
- COMBINE water, allspice, 1/2 cup of the orange juice, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt in saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stir in couscous, cover, remove from heat, and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with fork.
- HEAT oil in large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat while couscous cooks. Add onion, pepper, garlic, and curry powder. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add chickpeas, apricots, and cranberries. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes.
- POUR in remaining 1/2 cup orange juice and cook, stirring often, 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Serve over couscous. NUTRITION (per serving) 363 cal, 9 g pro, 67 g carb, 9 g fiber, 8.5 g fat, 1 g sat fat, 320 mg sodium Heart-Healthy Tip: Perk up low-salt beans with the sweetness of orange, apricot, and cranberry. [pagebreak] Italian Turkey Burgers with Cauliflower and Carrot Salad
Work Time: 25 minutesTotal Time: 40 minutesServings: 4 Salad 1 med head cauliflower (about 2 lb), cut into florets 3 med carrots, cut on the diagonal into 1/2"-thick slices Pinch of salt 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 1 tsp sugar 1/2 tsp dried oregano 1/4 tsp dried thyme 1/4 tsp red-pepper flakes Burgers 1 lb 99% lean ground turkey breast 1/2 sm onion, finely chopped 2 Tbsp unsalted tomato paste 1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp dried basil 2 tsp olive oil 4 slices provolone (1/2 oz each) 4 whole wheat hamburger buns 6 tsp no-salt-added ketchup 4 leaves romaine
- PREPARE salad: Heat oven to 450°F. Toss cauliflower, carrots, and salt with 1 tablespoon of the oil on rimmed baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Roast vegetables until tender, 18 to 20 minutes.
- WHISK together vinegar, sugar, oregano, thyme, pepper, and remaining 1 tablespoon oil in medium bowl. Toss in vegetables. Cool to room temperature.
- MAKE burgers: Combine turkey, onion, tomato paste, garlic, oregano, and basil while vegetables roast. Form into 4 patties.
- HEAT oil in nonstick frying pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties and cook 10 minutes, turning once. Top each patty with 1 slice cheese, cover pan, and cook until cheese melts, about 1 minute longer.
- ASSEMBLE burgers on buns with 1½ teaspoons ketchup and a lettuce leaf. Serve with the salad. NUTRITION (per serving) 440 cal, 38 g pro, 38 g carb, 7 g fiber, 17 g fat, 4 g sat fat, 499 mg sodium Heart-Healthy Tip: Nearly 3 tablespoons of heart-healthy monounsaturated olive oil pair with veggies and lean protein. [pagebreak] Easy Beef and Bean Chili over Wagon Wheels
Work Time: 20 minutesTotal Time: 30 minutesServings: 4 8 oz 93% lean ground beef 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 lg onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 c) 2½ Tbsp chili powder 1½ tsp dried oregano 1½ tsp ground cumin 2 cans (14.5 oz) no-salt added diced tomatoes 1 can (15 oz) no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained 1/2 oz semisweet chocolate 1/4 tsp salt 6 oz wagon wheel (rotelle) pasta 1/2 c part-skim mozzarella (2 oz), shredded 4 Tbsp fat-free plain Greek-style yogurt
- HEAT 4-quart Dutch oven coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook, breaking into smaller pieces with wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and 1 cup of the onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion starts to soften and beef browns, about 3 minutes. Add chili powder, oregano, and cumin. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes (with juice) and beans. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and simmer, partially covered, 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate and salt.
- PREPARE pasta per package directions while chili is simmering.
- SERVE drained pasta topped with chili. Sprinkle each serving with cheese and remaining onion. Dollop each with 1 tablespoon of the yogurt. NUTRITION (per serving) 436 cal, 29 g pro, 61 g carb, 10 g fiber, 9 g fat, 4 g sat fat, 395 mg sodium Heart-Healthy Tip: Pump up blood pressure-lowering fiber with no-salt-added beans and tomatoes. [pagebreak] Cider-Glazed Pork Chops with Barley and Mushrooms
Work Time: 25 minutesTotal Time: 35 minutesServings: 4 CHOPS 1/2 c apple cider or apple juice 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar 2 Tbsp maple syrup 4 bone-in center-cut loin pork chops (5-6 oz each) 1/4 tsp salt 1/8 tsp black pepper BARLEY 2 c water 1/4 tsp salt 1 c quick-cooking barley 1 med onion, sliced 8 oz mushrooms, sliced 1 Tbsp olive oil 2 cloves garlic, sliced 1 c grape tomatoes, halved 1/8 tsp black pepper 3 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- BOIL first three ingredients for chops in small saucepan over medium-high heat until syrupy, 10 to 15 minutes.
- PREPARE barley while cider mixture cooks: Bring water and 1/8 teaspoon salt to boil in saucepan. Add barley, cover, and cook over medium-low until liquid is absorbed, 12 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes.
- COOK onion and mushrooms in oil in frying pan over medium-high heat while barley cooks. Sauté until browned, 8 minutes. Add garlic, tomatoes, pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Cook 3 minutes. Add barley. Cook 1 minute. Turn off heat, stir in parsley. Cover.
- SPRINKLE pork with salt and pepper. Put on baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Brush with glaze. Broil 2 minutes. Turn, brush with glaze, and broil 2 minutes longer. Remove and brush with any remaining glaze. Serve chops with barley. NUTRITION (per serving) 406 cal, 28 g pro, 45 g carb, 5 g fiber, 13.5 g fat, 3.5 g sat fat, 364 mg sodium Heart-Healthy Tip: Whole grain Barley teams with loin pork chops—the leanest kind. More from Prevention: Heart-Healthy Meal Makeovers