An Avocado Accent for Anytime Chicken

When I was a kid, I refused to try anything with avocados. Ew! Mushy green stuff?! But the older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve come to appreciate them! The mild flavor balances so nicely with the kick of salsa and other southwest flavors. Plus, in recent years we have learned more and more about how good avocados can be for you! When eaten (in moderation, of course), word has it avocados can help lower your cholesterol and decrease risk of heart disease.
Ryan and I make homemade "guac" all the time at our house, but we also jump at the opportunity to try avocados in new ways – on sandwiches, in salads and most recently, on our chicken. Just a few weeks ago, we tried out this Southwestern Chicken Breasts recipe, and found the avocado, tomato and jalepeno to be a great, chunky topping to our main course. Avocados win again!

For this easy dinner, melt a tablespoon of butter in a 10-inch skillet until it begins to sizzle. Add thawed chicken breasts and cook over medium heat. Turn once to brown the chicken lightly on each side.

Meanwhile, combine green onions, minced garlic, chopped jalepeno pepper, chili powder and cumin in a small bowl. Stir lightly to mix together.

Sprinkle the small bowl of seasonings onto the chicken. Reduce the heat to Low, and then cover the pan. Allow the chicken to cook through (about 6-8 minutes).

While the chicken continues to cook, combine the topping ingredients in a small bowl: chopped fresh cilantro, tomato, avocado, brown sugar and lemon juice.

Check the chicken to make sure it’s fully cooked. There should no longer be any pink in the middle and it should register 165 degrees in temperature.

Remove the chicken to a serving plate. Then, pour the cilantro mixture into the pan. Stir to mix it with some of the great chicken flavor and seasoning left behind.

Spoon the cilantro mixture over the chicken and serve immediately.

A tasty, quick, weeknight meal - what more can you ask for? Try Southwestern Chicken Breasts for yourself, and make sure to come back and rate and review the recipe.

Check back in a few days when Tami will share a delicious orange bread recipe.

Amanda is paid to write for the Land O’Lakes Recipe Buzz® Blog.