Best 7 Chicken Tonnato Lightened Brightened Recipes

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Chicken Tonnato is a classic Italian dish that is typically made with cooked chicken, canned tuna, and a mayonnaise-based sauce. While delicious, this traditional version can be quite heavy due to the high fat content in mayonnaise. If you're looking for a lighter way to enjoy this classic dish, there are some simple substitutions you can make to lighten up the recipe without sacrificing any flavor.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

CHICKEN TONNATO



Chicken Tonnato image

"Tonno" is Italian for tuna, and the name of this dish refers to the primary ingredient in the sauce. The sauce can also be served chilled over room-temperature chicken.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Chicken     Chicken Breast Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 tablespoon olive oil
Two 12-ounce chicken breasts, boned and halved
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
4 cups arugula leaves (1 large bunch)
1 small carrot, peeled and finely chopped
1 rib celery, strings removed and finely chopped
1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 medium clove garlic, finely chopped
1 cup dry white wine
3 fresh sage leaves
1 sprig rosemary
1/2 tablespoon capers, drained
One 6-ounce can light tuna, drained of oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 425 degrees. Heat oil in ovenproof skillet over high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook in skillet, skin-side down, until brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip; cook 1 minute. Remove chicken; add vegetables. Reduce heat to medium low; cook 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Add wine, and bring to boil. Stir in the herbs, capers, and tuna; add the chicken. Transfer skillet to oven, and roast until chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove chicken; transfer to cutting board.
  • Discard herbs. Let tuna cool; puree until smooth. Add mayonnaise and juice. Slice chicken; arrange over arugula. Top with chilled sauce

CHICKEN TONNATO (LIGHTENED & BRIGHTENED)



Chicken Tonnato (Lightened & Brightened) image

From the *Best Ever Chicken* cookbook edited by Linda Fraser & the intro says "This low-fat version of the Italian dish *Vitello Tonnato* is garnished w/fine strips of red pepper instead of the traditional anchovy fillets." The pic of the finished product was stunning & IMO this recipe works equally well as a luncheon entree for 4, starter course for 8 or dinner main-course if served w/bread &/or a veggie side dish of choice. (Time does not include cooling or chilling time). *Enjoy* !

Provided by twissis

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 27m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

16 ounces chicken breasts (4 oz each, skinned & boneless)
1 small onion (sliced)
1 bay leaf
4 black peppercorns
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 (7 ounce) can tuna (packed in brine, drained well)
3 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 red bell pepper (cut in thin Julienne strips)
48 small capers (well-drained)

Steps:

  • Put chicken breasts in a lrg saucepan in a single layer. Add onion, bay leaf, stock & peppercorns. Bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat, cover & simmer for about 12 min, or till tender.
  • Turn off heat, allow chicken to cool in the stock & then remove w/a slotted spoon. Slice ea chicken breast in medallions, but keep ea intact to be plated individually when served. Set aside.
  • Boil stock till reduced to approx 5 tablespoons Strain thru a fine sieve & allow to cool.
  • Put tuna, mayonnaise, lemon juice + 3 tbsp of the reduced stock into a blender or food proc & puree till smooth. (I will use my immersion blender for this step).
  • Stir in enough of the remaining stock to reduce the sauce to the thickness of double cream & spoon equally over ea chicken breast.
  • Arrange strips of red bell pepper in a lattice pattern over ea breast. Put a caper in the center of ea square. Chill in fridge for at least 1 hr & serve cold w/a mixed green salad that includes cherry tomatoes for color.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 316.9, Fat 14.1, SaturatedFat 4, Cholesterol 94.1, Sodium 220.7, Carbohydrate 7.7, Fiber 0.9, Sugar 3.7, Protein 38

LIGHTENED-UP CHICKEN PICCATA



Lightened-Up Chicken Piccata image

Piccata is a classic preparation for chicken, but can be heavy on your diet as it's a butter and wine-based sauce. This lighter version saves you calories by adding the zip of white wine with a tiny bit of vinegar to finish (as opposed to a cup or more simmered down), and getting the most of 1 tablespoon of butter by swirling it into the sauce at the end.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 37m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 pound chicken scaloppini (about 4 ounces each)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour, divided
3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon, zest reserved for optional garnish, about 2 tablespoons juice
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
1 tablespoon capers, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Baby arugula for garnish
Whole-wheat angel hair pasta or roasted potatoes, for serving

Steps:

  • Season the chicken with salt and pepper and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon flour.
  • Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until very hot; cook the cutlets until opaque throughout, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer the cutlets to a plate. (Reserve the skillet.) Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium.
  • Add the remaining teaspoon oil and garlic to the same skillet; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk together the broth, lemon juice and 1 teaspoon flour, and add to the pan. Simmer sauce until reduced and thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, parsley and capers. Swirl in the butter until sauce is shiny and slightly thickened.
  • Serve chicken with the sauce. Toss the arugula and freshly grated lemon zest with a light drizzle of olive oil; season to taste with salt and pepper, scatter over chicken. Serve with pasta or potatoes as desired.

Nutrition Facts : Sugar 0 grams, Protein 25 grams, Carbohydrate 4 grams, Sodium 326 milligrams, Cholesterol 80 milligrams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Fat 9.5 grams, Calories 207

TONNATO SAUCE



Tonnato Sauce image

I was probably in my early twenties when this sauce first appeared on my culinary radar as 'vitello tonnato.' At the time, a plate of cold, thinly-sliced poached veal dressed with a chilled, runny tuna sauce didn't make a lot of sense, but I tried it anyway, and have been a fan ever since. I don't often serve it with the traditional veal, but ironically that's the only thing I don't serve it with. Tonnato sauce is tremendous as a spread and equally impressive as an all-purpose, all-world dip.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Seafood

Time 15m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (7 ounce) jar olive oil-packed tuna, oil reserved
⅔ cup mayonnaise
6 oil-packed anchovy fillets
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, or more to taste
3 tablespoons lemon juice, or more to taste
2 tablespoons drained capers
1 clove garlic, minced, or more to taste
1 pinch cayenne pepper
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Blend tuna with reserved oil, mayonnaise, anchovies, olive oil, lemon juice, capers, and garlic together in a blender until completely smooth. Season with cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 126.3 calories, Carbohydrate 0.7 g, Cholesterol 7 mg, Fat 12 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 4.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.8 g, Sodium 192.6 mg, Sugar 0.2 g

CHICKEN TONNATO WITH CHICKEN BROTH



Chicken Tonnato With Chicken Broth image

Jacques Pépin: Fast Food My Way, 2004. This was on the TV on the hospital, when I saw it, and I couldn't wait to get back home to try it. It was simply wonderful!

Provided by Manami

Categories     Tuna

Time 45m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 23

1/2 cup sliced onion
1/2 cup sliced leek, washed well
1 cup sliced white button mushrooms
1/2 cup diced carrot
1/2 cup diced celery
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
5 cups water
4 (6 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast halves (each about 6 ounces)
8 ounces cooked angel hair pasta or 8 ounces cooked orzo pasta
2 ounces anchovies packed in oil
3 ounces tuna (preferably in oil)
1 large egg yolk
1 tablespoon dijon-style mustard
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (not the bottled junk)
1 tablespoon water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon drained capers
4 cups arugula leaves, washed and dried (loosley packed)
1 tablespoon drained capers
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives

Steps:

  • PREPARATION FOR THE CHICKEN:.
  • Combine the onion, leek, mushrooms, carrot, celery, salt, pepper, and water in a large saucepan (preferably stainless steel).
  • Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and boil gently for 5 minutes.
  • Add the chicken breasts, and cook them just until the broth returns to a boil, about 4 minutes.
  • Boil for about 15 seconds, then remove the pan from the heat, cover, and let the breasts stand in the broth for 12 to 15 minutes.
  • THE SAUCE:.
  • Set aside 4 of the anchovies for the garnish.
  • Put the tuna and the remaining anchovies in a food processor, along with the oil from both of the cans.
  • Add the egg yolk, mustard, lemon juice, water, salt, and Tabasco and process for a few seconds.
  • With the processor running, add the olive oil in a slow stream and process for a few seconds, or until it is well incorporated and the sauce is smooth.
  • At serving time, divide the arugula among four plates.
  • Remove the chicken breasts from the broth with a slotted spoon.
  • Cut each breast into 4 crosswise slices, and arrange the slices on top of the arugula.
  • Generously coat the breasts with the tuna sauce and top each serving with 1 of the reserved anchovy fillets.
  • Sprinkle on some capers and chives and serve at room temperature.
  • Reheat the broth and add angel-hair pasta or orzo, divide among four bowls, and serve with the chicken.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 617.2, Fat 33.2, SaturatedFat 5.4, Cholesterol 168.7, Sodium 1425.5, Carbohydrate 24.9, Fiber 2.8, Sugar 3.3, Protein 53.2

TONNATO SAUCE



Tonnato Sauce image

Categories     Sauce     Blender     Quick & Easy     Mayonnaise     Tuna     Capers     Gourmet

Yield Makes about 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
a 6-ounce can tuna in olive oil (not drained)
3 anchovy fillets
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons drained capers

Steps:

  • In a blender purée all ingredients, including oil from tuna can, until smooth and season with salt and pepper.

LIGHTENED UP CHICKEN STROGANOFF



Lightened Up Chicken Stroganoff image

When I prepare this meal, I often tell people it's beef Stroganoff. Because of its convincing appearance and taste, they're surprised when I later reveal that it's actually chicken. -Lori Borrowman of Schenectady, New York

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 large onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch strips
1/4 cup browning sauce
1-1/3 cups reduced-sodium beef broth, divided
1 cup white wine or additional reduced-sodium beef broth
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup fat-free sour cream
6 cups cooked no-yolk noodles

Steps:

  • In a large nonstick skillet, saute mushrooms and onion in butter until tender. Remove and set aside. In the same skillet, cook the chicken with browning sauce until browned. Add 1 cup broth, wine, ketchup, garlic and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer chicken for 15 minutes or until no longer pink., Combine flour and remaining 1/3 cup broth until smooth; stir into chicken mixture. Add reserved mushroom mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat to low. Stir in sour cream; heat through (do not boil). Serve over noodles.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 462 calories, Fat 7g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 75mg cholesterol, Sodium 715mg sodium, Carbohydrate 50g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 34g protein.

Tips:

  • To save time, you can use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. Just be sure to remove the skin and bones before flaking the meat.
  • To make the sauce even lighter, you can use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
  • If you don't have capers, you can use chopped cornichons or pickles.
  • For a more flavorful sauce, you can add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard or anchovy paste.
  • Serve the chicken tonnato with a side of your favorite salad or steamed vegetables.

Conclusion:

Chicken tonnato is a classic Italian dish that is perfect for a light and refreshing summer meal. This lightened-up version is just as delicious as the traditional recipe, but it is much lower in calories and fat. So, if you are looking for a healthy and flavorful way to enjoy chicken, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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