Avocado = Alligator Pear

I haven't always had this love affair with avocados. In fact, I was completely repulsed by them until I was about 25.  It wasn't anything special that changed my view and taste of this amazing fruit. I tasted it and fell in love.

Avocado = Alligator Pear. I love it's nickname better than its technical name. For its shape and outer texture, not taste haha. Avocado is considered a super food for many reasons, it promotes heart health, for its wide-range of anti-inflammatory benefits, blood sugar regulation...just to name a few. The fruit is so versatile and today I'm making Blackened Chicken with an Avocado Cream Sauce for dinner for my family. I know the hubs and kids will love it!

Blackened Chicken with Avocdo Cream Sauce

• 4 — 4 oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/2 lemon juice
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• ¼ cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
• ½ avocado
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1T cilantro

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, mix paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, onion powder, salt and pepper and cilantro. Rub all over chicken breasts. I placed in my food processor. 
2. Spray a large frying pan with non-stick cooking spray. Over medium-high heat, cook chicken for 7 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Tip: cover the pan while cooking.
3. Meanwhile, mix Greek yogurt, remaining lemon juice, garlic powder, cilantro, and avocado in a food processor.
4. To serve, place the chicken on a bed of greens with 1/8 of the Avocado Cream Sauce on top of chicken. I served with a side of corn and greens. And of course with a glass of wine, or two!
5. I hope you enjoy this clean healthy recipe! :) 

Bruschetta Chicken

For 1 piece of chicken here are the facts:
Calories 201; Fat 7g, Saturated fat 1g; Carbohydrate 9 g; Protein 24 g; Fiber 2g; sodium 354 mg; cholesterol 62 mg

Salsa Topping

• 6 medium Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Chicken Breast

• 1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
• 1 tsp chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

For Salsa, combine all ingredients in a medium bowl.  Cover and chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.

For chicken breast, combine all ingredients in a large ziplock plastic bag.  Shake to distribute well, seal, and marinate in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

Remove chicken from bag; discard marinade.  Place chicken in glass baking dish.  Cover with foil and place in oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.  Serve with salsa on top; garnish with fresh basil leaves.

I served mine with some brown rice and a fresh broccoli.  My whole family and our dinner guest loved it!!! 
I put out some fresh mozzarella cheese for everyone else to put on their chicken but I did not!