Barbecued chicken is a simple, yet delicious, dinner that many families choose to prepare in the summer. Chicken is a great choice for anyone on a diet, or anyone looking to eat healthy. In this article, we'll introduce you to a fantastic barbecue chicken recipe, and talk about the health benefits that chicken has to offer. Let's get into it.
Healthy Barbecued Chicken Recipe
Ingredients:
3 lb. chicken parts (breast, drumstick, and thigh), skin and fat removed
1 large onion, thinly sliced
3 Tablespoons vinegar
3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
to taste black pepper
1 Tablespoon hot pepper flakes
1 Tablespoon chili powder
1 cup chicken stock or broth, fat skimmed from top
Directions:
1. Place chicken in 13- by 9- by 2-inch pan. Arrange onions over top.
2. Mix together vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, pepper, hot pepper flakes, chili powder, and stock.
3. Pour mixture over chicken and bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or until done. While cooking, baste occasionally.
Yield: 8 servings
Serving size: 1 chicken part with sauce
Each serving provides:
Calories: 176
Total fat: 6 g
Saturated fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 68 mg
Sodium: 240 mg
Total fiber: 1 g
Protein: 24 g
Carbohydrates: 7 g
Potassium: 360 mg
Health Benefits of Chicken
Chicken is often pushed as one of the best foods you can eat while dieting or trying to build muscle. It doesn't have nearly as much saturated fat as red meats, and offers a healthy amount of protein. These aren't the only benefits that chicken has on offer, though!
Chicken is rich in niacin, a vitamin that is essential in energy production and DNA synthesis. It also contains a good amount of selenium, which keeps your immune system and thyroid functioning as they should. Studies have also linked selenium to healthy fertility. Vitamin B12 is another significant nutrient that can be found in chicken; B12 is linked to brain health.
The protein that's in chicken can help you feel fuller. If you're trying to lower your caloric intake each day, eating meals that leave you feeling full will help. By doing this, you'll avoid the temptation to snack throughout the day, which can pack on unneeded calories. Protein is also involved in optimal bone health, making it important for athletes and older people.
By preparing this barbecue chicken for your family, you'll be providing them with a healthy and nutritious dinner that everyone will enjoy. Finding foods that taste good is essential to a successful diet; if you're eating foods that you don't like, you'll quickly get diet burnout and fail. We've got dozens of other healthy recipes on our site that you're sure to love; be sure to check them out.