Applebee's Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken

Going on another dinner date to Applebee's with my boyfriend, I opted to try the Applebee's Cedar Grilled Lemon Chicken after my last encounter with their under 600 calorie menu left me in search of water and lots of it. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this meal.

The menus describes the dish as "Cedar grilled chicken garnished with Granny Smith apple relish. Topped with lemon olive oil vinaigrette over a blend of cranberries, rice, honey-glazed pecans & quinoa." When the dish was plated before me I thought it looked appetizing. Once I started to eat it, it really did pack a punch in the filling category.

There were no complaints, the chicken was grilled perfectly, the granny smith apple relish balanced the flavors giving a little crunch and tartness and the quinoa side dish was absolutely scrumptious (so much so that I want to make a variation at home). The quinoa had pecans and cranberries mixed into it, which was a nice twist to throw a twist in the quinoa texture. The vinaigrette tied everything together and was just a complete and balanced meal.

It wasn't overly salty, it wasn't overwhelming and I liked the fact that it was just a great little meal to have out without all the fuss about "what do I eat?" Now I know a dish I enjoy and will order whenever I venture back to Applebee's.

A meal is 570 calories or 15 points plus values.

McDonald's Premium Grilled Chicken Clubhouse Sandwich

I received a Klout perk to try out the new McDonald's Premium Grilled Chicken Clubhouse Sandwich so upon receiving my gift card I hopped onto the McDonald's website and did a little nutrition fact researching. I was actually quite surprised to find the grilled chicken version being lower in calories (or for the WW folks - points) than some of the recent sandwich releases from McDonald's.  Yesterday, my dinner didn't turn out to be the greatest so I was left with not very many options ... so I decided to go to McDonald's and give this sandwich a whirl.

 

The sandwich is a combination of grilled chicken, thick cut apple wood smoked bacon, "special sauce" (Big Mac secret sauce), caramelized grilled onions, white cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomato all served on a grilled artisan roll.  For those who aren't necessarily a fan of grilled chicken sandwiches this also available in a crispy chicken and beef hamburger version. As per the normal routine at McDonald's, this is one of their new sandwich launches which helps keep the menu interesting and new.

 

The Grilled Chicken Clubhouse Sandwich itself i actually quite delicious. The flavors go together well ... and that means, even with the special sauce on a grilled chicken sandwich. At first I was a little wary because I typically relate special sauce to a Big Mac/hamburger. Overall, it gives the sandwich a nice little zip. I would suggest getting the sandwich the way it's made and since I'm a bacon fan ... I'd say don't skip on the bacon. If you wanted to save 50 calories/1 points plus, get rid of the cheese. But the bacon, caramelized onions, special sauce and chicken itself are the game changers on this sandwich. It just really makes it a delicious sandwich.

 

It's delicious ... but it's messy. Then again, that's why we have such a thing called napkins and wet wipes. So roll up your sleeves (if you have any) and dig in. Don't be afraid to get your hands a little messy ... because it's inevitable.

 

Also ... just a little tip for the smartphone users ... McDonald's has an app you can download. Once you sign up and create an account there are special deals that are available to McDonald's customers. Most importantly on your first use, there's a free large sandwich (which is currently the Clubhouse sandwich) deal where the sandwich is free with any purchase. The deals will be removed from your phone once used ... and you typically have 2 minutes to show your phone to the order taker before your mobile coupon becomes invalid.

 

The grilled chicken sandwich as is is 590 calories or 15 points plus values. BUT if you want to have it without cheese it's 540 calories or 14 points plus. OR if you'd rather have it without bacon it's 490 calories or 13 points plus. OR if you're being really good and having it without cheese and bacon it's 440 calories or 11 points plus values.

 

If you wonder what the calories/points are for the original Bacon Clubhouse sandwich is it's 720 calories or 19 points plus values. Whereas the Crispy Chicken Clubhouse Sandwich is 750 calories or 20 points plus values. If you'd like the calculations for these without toppings check out the McDonald's website.

Eating out @ Subway – Foot Long Black Forest Ham

Subway is one of my favorite fast food chains because I can get a delicious sandwich, exactly how I like it (loaded with all the fresh veggies I love). Admittedly I don’t go to Subway very often, but when I do I have a few options available for myself and I know the points plus values associated with whatever I’d like to order.  This particular night Subway wasn’t on my particular menu, but after going back and fourth trying to figure out what we’d like to get “subs” were said at the same time … so subs it was!

Since I had the points and hadn’t had a decent meal I opted to go with the foot long black forest ham, no cheese, on whole wheat – toasted of course. After toasting it up, I pretty much had every vegetable offered put on it – lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, green pepper, cucumbers, spinach, banana pepper rings, a few olives, salt, pepper, oregano, a little yellow mustard and to top it off since my Subway carries it – crushed hot peppers.

The sandwich was delicious, filling and hearty. Definitely worth the 15 points plus values!