Best Lean and Green Meals (Easy Optavia Recipes)
on Nov 29, 2022, Updated Nov 19, 2023
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The Optavia program is a weight loss plan that emphasizes the importance of “Lean & Green” meals. To help their clients feel their best while losing weight, the meals they eat should contain appropriate amounts of vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats.
Optavia is a low-carb and low-calorie diet with many nutritious ingredients. To save money, you can make these Optavia recipes at home instead of purchasing pre-packaged meals.
In this post, we’re sharing 16 easy Lean & Green meals that are Optavia-program friendly, easy to make, healthy, and delicious!
What is a Typical Lean & Green Meal?
According to the Optavia program, a Lean & Green meal should have 5 to 7 ounces of cooked lean protein, 3 servings of non-starchy vegetables, and no more than 2 servings of healthy fats. The amount of fat servings is dependent on the type of lean protein in the meal.
Easy Optavia Lean & Green Meals
Baked Chicken Breast with Vegetables
This recipe has everything you need for a tasty weeknight meal – chicken, potatoes, and green beans. It’s delicious and dinner’s on the table in just 30 minutes!
Chicken Fajita Lettuce Wrap
Save yourself some carbs and enjoy these fajitas on lettuce instead! They have all of the authentic flavors you love and are a healthier option.
Mini Mac Salad
If you love McDonald’s iconic Big Mac burger, you have to give this salad a try. It has all of the tasty flavors, and is ready to enjoy in just 15 minutes. You won’t even miss the bun!
Chicken Shrimp Gumbo
Instead of serving this authentic-tasting gumbo with rice, cauliflower is used for texture and flavor. It’s just as delicious and much lower in carbs!
Blackened Shrimp Lettuce Wraps
This healthy and delicious meal is ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes. The shrimp is perfectly seasoned and topped with a crema made with avocado, Greek yogurt, and lime juice.
Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore
Chicken cacciatore is often served with pasta, but you can keep it low carb by using zucchini noodles (zoodles) instead! The recipe uses chicken thighs so you know they’ll be tender and juicy when it’s time to eat.
Grilled Fajita Bowls
Enjoy this tasty fajita dish on a bed of crisp lettuce to save carbs. It’s full of flavor and texture, and is a healthy choice for a weeknight meal!
Pork Chops with Spinach and Tomatoes
This hearty and rich dish is made with a can of cream of chicken soup! Serve it with your favorite green veggie for a delicious meal that’s ready in just 25 minutes.
Mini Pepper Nachos
The next time you’re hosting game night, serve this healthier version of nachos to the gang. Each mini bell pepper is stuffed with a tasty chicken mixture and topped with shredded cheese!
Baked Cod with Vegetables
This sheet-pan dish means everything cooks in the pan at the same time! It’s ideal for busy weeknights.
Chicken Paella
If you love paella but are counting carbs, this is the recipe for you. Instead of using white rice, this dish is made with riced cauliflower! Each serving has just 13 grams of carbs.
Shrimp Scampi
You’ll impress your guests when you serve this dish. The shrimp is tender and plump, and instead of pasta, it’s served on a bed of good-for-you spaghetti squash.
Chicken Parmesan
You’ll love the flavor of this tender chicken parmesan. Everything is homemade, including the tomato sauce and the zucchini noodles.
Cauliflower Pizza with Chicken & Tzatziki
This cauliflower crust pizza takes about an hour to make but we think you’ll love the results! It’s much lower in carbs compared to traditional pizza, and is also a good choice if you’re sensitive to gluten. To make it easier, buy riced cauliflower from the grocery store.
One Pan Lemon Pepper Salmon Garlic Parmesan Asparagus
This is a wonderful dish to make when fresh asparagus is in season. The salmon is perfectly seasoned and is a delicious and lean source of protein.
Tuna Nicoise Salad
This recipe is quick and easy to make thanks to the canned tuna. It’s also refreshing, delicious, and a good source of protein!
Easy Lean and Green Meals
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts skinless, boneless
- 1 lb baby red potatoes halved or quartered
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 lemon sliced into rings
- 3 tsp garlic minced
- 1 tsp oregano
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary optional
- 3/4 lb green beans trimmed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Set aside a large baking sheet.
- Pat dry chicken breasts and rub with oil. Then place them on the baking sheet.
- Add potatoes and tomatoes around the sheet pan and arrange them in one layer. Sprinkle minced garlic, oregano across the pan. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss to mix well. Place several lemon slices on top of chicken.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes (add green beans during the last 10 minutes).
- Broil for the last 5 minutes, if your chicken breasts look too pale.
- Remove chicken breasts from the oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Cover with aluminum foil while resting. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
