Tonight, college football season will finally come to a close as the Louisiana State Tigers take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the BCS National Championship game. It’s the second time these two powerhouses have met on the field this season, and the second time one will walk away as a winner, and another won’t. Tensions will no doubt be high, but delicious guilt-free snacks will help keep everyone cool.
The game kicks off at 8:30, and if you’re hosting a watch party, you’ll no doubt be serving your fellow fans a dinner worthy of a championship nod. Now, we’re all for enjoying finger foods and snacks while watching your favorite team charge the field. We’re also big fans of remembering those resolutions are just nine days old. So, serve the snacks your crowd expects, but do it in a healthy way that doesn’t sabotage the home team, or the visitors!
Try our recipes for Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo for the Tigers, Winning Fried Chicken for the Tide, or the 7-Layer Dip peace keeper for everyone.
LSU Fans: Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo
- 2 tsp. canola oil
- 12 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
- 1 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning (more or less to taste)
- 1 ¼ cups chopped onion
- 1 cup diced green bell pepper or Italian frying pepper (Cubanelle)
- ½ cup diced celery
- 4 oz. fully-cooked smoked turkey sausage, diced
- 1 Tbsp. flour
- 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1 can (14 ½ oz.) diced tomatoes in juice
- ½ cup quick-cooking brown rice
- 10 oz. box frozen cut okra (about 2 cups)
- 8 oz. peeled shrimp (31 to 40 per lb. size)
Click to see the full recipe
Alabama Fans: Winning Fried Chicken
- 3 Tbsp. fat-free plain yogurt
- 4 large fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 tsp. chopped fresh oregano leaves
- 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme leaves
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- pinch of salt
- pinch of ground black pepper
- 4 Tbsp. Ian’s Whole Wheat Panko Breadcrumbs, or finely crushed Wasa Light Rye Crispbread
- 2 small 1/4-pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of visible fat
- Mustard or low-fat, low-sodium marinara sauce
Click to see the full recipe.
For Everyone: 7 Layer Dip
Serve with a bowl of blue and red corn tortilla chips for a fan-friendly centerpiece!
- 1 ¼ lbs lean ground turkey
- 1 cup canned black beans (rinsed and drained)
- 1 ½ cups pico de gallo
- 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
- ¾ cup salsa
- ½ cup guacamole
- ½ cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup sliced scallions
Click to see the full recipe.