These skinny summer favorites make the most of the season’s bounty, featuring fresh vegetables, creative combinations, and flavorful twists on some of your favorite comfort food. They are all also five Weight Watchers points or less, so you can dine guiltlessly and not deprive yourself one bit. When the temperature starts to rise, I pull out these recipes and put them into my regular rotation.
1. Chicken Divan
Five-point Chicken Divan is a light and healthy riff on a tried and true classic that will invoke all of the nostalgia you crave without the calories that come with the original version. Plus, you’ll be able to use vibrant, seasonal broccoli florets to boost this dish’s nutrition and play perfectly off the juicy chicken breast. Swiss and mozzarella cheeses lend a creamy and decadent texture and taste to the dish, making it seem far more calorie-heavy than it actually is.
2. Pineapple Casserole
Tropical pineapple is the true hero in this unorthodox and downright delicious four-point casserole. At first, I was a little bit leery about combining pineapple and cheddar cheese, but after one bite, I was sold on the tart, cheesy, and savory combination with a kick of sweetness from the canned pineapple. The keys to keeping it waistline-friendly are the reduced-fat cheddar cheese and fat-free margarine, which play off the whole-grain breadcrumbs to give this dish a bit of a macaroni and cheese vibe with a fun twist.
3. Pumpkin and Orange Soup
This one-point soup takes the silky, earthy flavor of pumpkin and gives it a summery makeover with a splash of citrus. I love how easily this soup comes together with just a few ingredients, most of which you probably have on hand in your pantry. You’ll just need cooked and cubed pumpkin, a splash of orange juice, onion, chicken broth, and a hint of garlic to give this soup its trademark sweet and savory foundation. Plus, it’s exceptionally satisfying and keeps me full for hours.
4. Panna Cotta
You don’t have to derail your diet to enjoy a sumptuous dessert, especially when you have excellent options like this one-point panna cotta. Satiny, smooth, and full of authentic vanilla flavor, it’s the ultimate sweet treat for those hot summer nights. Plus, this recipe gives you flavor and creaminess with fewer calories, thanks to a Greek yogurt base and a touch of skim milk.
5. Rainbow Fresh Spring Rolls
These spring rolls are a celebration of summertime flavors and colors with sun-colored yellow bell peppers, crisp purple cabbage, bright crimson bell peppers, carrots, lettuce, and a few sweet wedges of mango to add a pump of nutrients and some additional interest to the dish. They’re the ideal lunchtime treat, and at only three Weight Watchers points per serving, you can enjoy these superb spring rolls anytime.
6. Air-Fryer Chicken Cutlet
Are you craving crisp chicken but worried about sabotaging your summer weight loss goals? It’s the air fryer to the rescue! These one-point chicken cutlets are crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and will satisfy any of your savory cravings. Plus, you probably have everything you need to make them right in your kitchen, as the only ingredients are chicken breasts, Italian breadcrumbs, egg whites, and some salt and pepper to your liking.
7. Buckwheat Porridge with Blueberry Compote
It took me a while to jump aboard the buckwheat train, but once I did, I was hooked. Buckwheat is nutty-flavored, fiber-rich, and will keep you full for hours. It’s also a fun alternative to steel-cut oats and pairs perfectly with tart blueberry compote and a touch of spice and vanilla. This dish is a one-point homestyle option that makes the most of the season’s berries and is guaranteed to make every morning a good one.
8. Orange Chicken
If you’re in the mood for Asian-inspired chicken but don’t want to torpedo your diet with takeout, this super-easy orange chicken will brighten your mood and satisfy your stomach. At three points per serving it’s an excellent alternative that will probably even taste better than anything you can order in for. The secret is really in the sauce: a clever blend of orange juice, rice vinegar, and sweetness that imparts just the right amount of tang to juicy chunks of chicken breast. Garlic and soy sauce lend that authentic Chinese flavor and a level of umami you’ll love.
9. Slow Cooker Coffee Cake
This slow cooker cake is one of my all-time favorite recipes, and at just four points, I feel justified in enjoying a sweet portion of it with my morning coffee. It also comes together quickly, and the slow cooker does most of the heavy lifting over a two-and-a-half-hour cooking time. The cake base gets a hit of creaminess from Greek yogurt and fat-free milk, and the whole thing is topped with a crunchy cinnamon streusel that plays perfectly well with the moistness of the cake.
10. Turkey Meatloaf
Meatloaf is the ultimate comfort food for me. As a child, I remember tucking into thick, juicy slices of perfectly seasoned meatloaf served with a swirl of mashed potatoes. Now, I know that traditional meatloaf recipes will throw my diet off, which is why I’m so happy to have found this turkey-based version that sets me back one mere Weight Watchers point. With all of the traditional flavors like Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and garlic, I can enjoy this childhood classic again without a side of guilt.
11. Chicken Marbella
Skinny Chicken Marbella is a two-point recipe with a unique and delightful combination of ingredients that all go so well together. Chicken breasts get a total taste makeover with green olives, vinegar, chopped prunes, garlic powder, and spices for a briny, sweet, and slightly savory treat. It’s also an excellent dish to make when you don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, as it comes together with just ten minutes of preparation and then bakes to glorious goodness in an hour of hands-off time.
12. Thai Green Curry Chicken
Transport yourself to the streets of Bangkok with this one-point Thai curry recipe packed with good-for-you veggies, lots of flavor, and the sweetness of coconut milk to round it all out. I love this recipe because it’s a fantastic way to use leftover vegetables. Red and green bell peppers, earthy eggplant, crisp snow peas, and zucchini all mingle in a coconut and green curry, kaffir-lime scented sauce that’s studded with strips of chicken breast. You can even garnish it with some fresh basil for the ultimate summer meal.
13. Fish Tacos
Five-point fish tacos will be the highlight of your week. They feature succulent hake fillet, a creamy Greek yogurt base sauce with mustard and lime for a little spice, and tons of seasonal vegetables, all packed into a whole wheat tortilla. This recipe even reserves a little space for a quarter cup of queso fresco and slices of avocado to make it super authentic. Top it with juicy tomato, shredded red cabbage, and onion for a refreshing crunch.
These recipes are my ultimate skinny summer favorites because they bring the flavor and use some of the finest seasonal ingredients available during summertime. Try them, and see if they don’t become some of your favorites too.
