Lean Cuisine Grilled Chicken Primavera

March 29, 2007 | Reviewer: Abi

SRP: $3.19
Serving: 1 package, 9.375 oz.
Calories: 250
Fat: 8%, 5g
Cholesterol: 8%, 25mg
Sodium: 27%, 640mg
Protein: 18g
Carbohydrates: 11%, 32g
Fiber: 16%, 4g
Weight Watchers Points: 5 Points

Lean Cuisine says: Grilled tender white meat chicken and whole grain vermicelli in a creamy garlic sauce with asparagus and cherry tomatoes

Abi says: I purchased (yes, bought with my own money) this meal without giving the box a close look. Anyone who knows me, knows that I will eat tomatoes only in the following forms:

Salsa
Sauces
Bruschetta

Every summer I go home to Oregon and try some fresh-from-the-vine tomatoes (both cherry and heirloom varieties) only to be repulsed by the horrid taste and texture of the fruit.

Fortunately for me, but unfortunately for people who love tomatoes, there were only two of those evil fruits present in Lean Cuisine’s Grilled Chicken Primavera. Yes, I said fruits. The tomato is botanically a fruit, but nutritionally a vegetable. Thanks, weird tariff laws.

Tomatoes aside, I enjoyed this meal. The broccoli held onto a bit of firmness, the chicken looked and tasted just like real poultry, and the noodles abounded with the nuttiness that accompanies whole grain pasta. There’s something about eating whole grain pasta that makes me feel like I really am doing something really good for myself. It is sort of like choosing wheat bread over a croissant at the deli (I’m such a sucker for the croissant). Too bad the asparagus, my reason for buying this meal, turned into mush.

The thick, creamy pasta sauce heightened my eating experience with the aroma of roasted garlic, but I still had vegetable issues. The sauce was barely flavorful enough to make me overlook the mushy asparagus and the inclusion of “concentrated carrot juice” and “sodium phosphates” in the ingredients list.

There are occasions when I crave white sauce. I’ve also made alfredo from scratch and I know what kind of insane stuff goes into it (1 pint of heavy cream? Holy cow), and I don’t like alfredo sauces from the store. I think I’ll choose this again in the future, especially with ‘twice the veggies’. Now, if only they’d get rid of the tomatoes.

comments

9 Responses to “Lean Cuisine Grilled Chicken Primavera”

Bob on April 1st, 2007

How come it seems like all of the reviews by Abi are of disgusting frozen health foods? Just make a sandwich and avoid the torture!
Abi Jones on April 2nd, 2007

Bob, if I just brought a lunch to work every day then you wouldn’t have this wonderful site for entertainment! Plus, I didn’t think this meal was too shabby.
Bob's cheerleader on April 2nd, 2007

At least this review wasn’t over-stuffed with personal issues / stories, like the rest of them are.
Bob's cheerleader on April 2nd, 2007

Nevermind. It is!
Bob on April 2nd, 2007

true… well at least once ou should splurge like Marvo and try a hungryman or something, id be curious as to what youd have to say after eating one of those
Next Week: New Spa Cuisine from Lean Cuisine | HeatEatReview.com on April 2nd, 2007

[…] Thursday - Lean Cuisine Grilled Chicken Primavera […]
Henna on February 11th, 2008

Eating it right now….you know it’s not bad.

Tha paste tastes good, chicken doesn’t taste fake. Veges are still firm.

I do recommend tobasco though (as it improves everything in life)
Renee on July 22nd, 2008

Um…call me crazy, but aren’t personal stories what make the reviews interesting? I’d much rather read something humorous and colorful than a checklist of likes and dislikes about a meal. That said…

I concur on the three star rating for this one. It’s okay, but I don’t go seeking it out.
Carolyn on August 21st, 2008

Hi,

My box of LC grilled chicken primavera states it have 4 points.
Also, I can’t find the diet (meal) exchange info.

Can anyone help me with this?