Elevate your meal game with these chicken stuffed baked avocados. This dish combines the creamy texture of avocados with the savory goodness of shredded chicken, salsa, and cheese. Perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner, it's a delightful way to enjoy a nutritious and flavorful meal.
While most of the ingredients for this recipe are common, you might need to pay attention to the ripeness of the avocados. Choose avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure but are not overly soft. If you don't have salsa on hand, you can easily find it in the condiment aisle of your supermarket. Fresh lime juice is preferable, but bottled lime juice works in a pinch.
Ingredients For Chicken Stuffed Baked Avocados
Avocados: The base of the dish, providing a creamy texture and rich flavor.
Chicken: Shredded and cooked, it adds protein and a savory element to the stuffing.
Salsa: Adds a tangy and slightly spicy kick to the filling.
Cheese: Melts beautifully over the top, adding a gooey, delicious layer.
Lime juice: Adds a fresh, zesty flavor that brightens up the dish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When scooping out the flesh of the avocados, be sure to leave a sturdy border around the edges to maintain their structure during baking. Use the scooped-out flesh to create a creamy guacamole or add it to the chicken mixture for extra richness.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
avocados - Substitute with bell peppers: Bell peppers provide a similar vessel for stuffing and add a crunchy texture.
cooked chicken - Substitute with cooked turkey: Turkey has a similar texture and flavor profile to chicken.
salsa - Substitute with pico de gallo: Pico de gallo offers a fresh, chunky alternative with similar flavors.
shredded cheese - Substitute with crumbled feta: Feta adds a tangy flavor and creamy texture that complements the dish.
lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice provides a similar acidity and brightness to the dish.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the chicken stuffed baked avocados to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the avocados soggy.
- Place the cooled avocado halves in an airtight container. If you have multiple layers, separate them with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The avocados may brown slightly, but the flavor will remain intact.
- For freezing, wrap each stuffed avocado half tightly in plastic wrap, ensuring there is no exposure to air. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness. Frozen chicken stuffed baked avocados can be stored for up to 2 months.
- To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the plastic wrap and place the frozen avocado halves on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Alternatively, you can thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime juice before serving to refresh the flavors.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the stuffed avocados on a baking sheet and cover them loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the avocado from browning too much. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken mixture is heated through and the cheese is melty and bubbly.
Use a microwave for a quicker option. Place the stuffed avocados on a microwave-safe plate. Cover them with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating. Be cautious not to overheat, as the avocado can become mushy.
For a stovetop method, remove the chicken mixture from the avocado halves and reheat it in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Meanwhile, warm the avocado halves separately in the skillet for a minute or two. Once both components are heated, reassemble the stuffed avocados and enjoy.
If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the stuffed avocados in the air fryer basket and cook for about 5-7 minutes. This method will help maintain the avocado's texture while ensuring the chicken mixture is thoroughly heated and the cheese is perfectly melted.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to bake the stuffed avocados at the specified temperature until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Knife: Essential for cutting the avocados in half and removing the pits.
Spoon: Used to scoop out some of the avocado flesh to make room for the filling.
Mixing bowl: Needed to combine the shredded chicken, salsa, cheese, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
Baking sheet: Holds the stuffed avocados while they bake in the oven.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the cooked chicken, salsa, and shredded cheese accurately.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the lime juice precisely.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for cutting the avocados and any other ingredients.
Spatula: Helpful for mixing the chicken filling and for transferring the stuffed avocados onto the baking sheet.
Cilantro: Optional garnish to add a fresh touch to the finished dish.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prepare the filling ahead: Mix the shredded chicken, salsa, cheese, and lime juice the night before and store it in the fridge.
Use rotisserie chicken: Save time by using store-bought rotisserie chicken instead of cooking and shredding your own.
Preheat the oven early: Turn on the oven before you start preparing the avocados to ensure it's ready when you are.
Scoop efficiently: Use a melon baller or small spoon to quickly scoop out the avocado flesh.
Line the baking sheet: Use parchment paper or a silicone mat on your baking sheet for easy cleanup.
Chicken Stuffed Baked Avocados Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
- ¼ cup salsa
- ¼ cup shredded cheese
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the avocados in half and remove the pits.
- Scoop out a bit of the flesh to make room for the filling.
- In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken, salsa, cheese, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Stuff the avocado halves with the chicken mixture.
- Place the stuffed avocados on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired and serve immediately.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Slow Cooker Potato Soup Recipe8 Hours 15 Minutes
- Boiled Bagels Recipe40 Minutes
- Coffee Jelly Recipe15 Minutes
- Dirt Pudding Recipe15 Minutes
- Eggless Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe6 Hours 15 Minutes
- Apple Fritters Recipe25 Minutes
- Puppy Chow Recipe15 Minutes
- Gelato Recipe30 Minutes
Leave a Reply