by Jeff Casto

Created on: October 22, 2009   Last Updated: October 23, 2009

In my effort to eat healthier and save money on lunches, I picked up the Stoffer's Lean Cuisine Chicken, Spinach, and Mushroom Panini. I recently tried the Lean Cuisine Cafe Classics Roasted Garlic Chicken and found that it was good, but there just wasn't enough of it. The Lean Cuisine Chicken, Spinach, and Mushroom Panini is much better in this regard.

On the front of the package, the calories (320), fat (7g), and trans fat (0g) are listed in letters large enough to read without opening the freezer door. If you need more information than that to make a purchase decision, you'll have to pull it out of the freezer and flip the box over. The front of the box also states that this product "Grills in the microwave," using a "new revolutionary grilling tray."

Preparation is easy and fairly quick; just pull off the strip on the side, open the box and fold the top back and under the box. Remove the panini from the box and remove the plastic wrapping. Turn the box over and place it in the microwave. Place the panini on the grilling tray on top of the box, and microwave for about 3 minutes. The box states that this product should not be prepared in a conventional or toaster oven.

The package makes this frozen sandwich look like a deli delight, with the mix of chicken, green bits of spinach, red pieces of bell pepper, and mushrooms in a white cheese sauce peeking appealingly from between two pieces of grilled Italian bread. To be honest, it is pretty good. The chicken was moist and tender and the cheese sauce was pleasant tasting. The spinach was flavorful, not overcooked, and the bell peppers complimented the other flavors well. I really couldn't taste the mushrooms unless I made an effort to. The bread was a little chewy, but tasted good. Overall, this is a good-tasting, satisfying, and low calorie sandwich.

I bought several Lean Cuisine meals because I wanted to eat lighter and because they were on sale. This panini is about 140 calories more than the last Lean Cuisine meal I tried, and has quite a few more carbs, but it is also much more filling, which means less urge to grab something from the vending machine later. I supplemented this sandwich with some low-fat yogurt and fruit in my lunch, and that was enough for me to feel more or less satiated.

I will probably buy this Lean Cuisine Panini again. It tastes good and is enough of a meal for me if I add some yogurt and fruit along side it. I would recommend this panini to anyone who is dieting or just wants to eat a healthy, low-fat meal. The food is really very tasty and high quality, as well as being healthy.


Nutritional Information:

Calories: 320
Calories from fat: 60
Total fat: 7 g
Saturated fat: 2.5 g
Trans fat: 0
Polyunsaturated fat: 2 g
Monounsaturated fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 30 mg
Sodium: 660 mg
Potassium: 330 mg
Total carbohydrates: 41 g
Dietary fiber: 5 g
Sugars: 6 g
Proteins: 22 g
Vitamin A 8% MDA
Vitamin C 10% MDA
Calcium: 25% MDA
Iron 15% MDA


Weight Watchers Points: 6

Learn more about this author, Jeff Casto.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.