Healthy Recipe For Cinco De Mayo - Baked Chicken With Chipotle "Cream" & Cilantro Drizzle

With Cinco De Mayo right around the corner Iand hassle-free whole foods Cinco de Mayo!
thought I'd create a festive Mexican inspiredYou can serve the chicken over brown rice and
healthy whole foods recipe. Although Mexicanblack beans with grilled carrots. Or, try it as we
cuisine gets a bad rap for being fattening, it'sdid over pinto beans and whole grain quinoa pasta.
actually surprisingly easy to make good-for-youAs a side bar, the light colored quinoa pasta is the
and to-die for delicious Mexican food. Lucky forperfect whole grain pasta to serve anyone
me as I absolutely love Mexican food!convinced they don't like whole grain pasta! It
I developed a taste for authentic Mexican foodlooks just like the refined white stuff (and tastes
from a very early age. When I was little (startingpretty close too!) but it's still whole grain.
at age 2) my parents took me on yearly trips toHope you have a Happy & Healthy Cinco de
Mexico City; I remember the exchange ratesMayo!!
being incredibly favorable for Americans and so itChipotle Nut "Cream" Ingredients
was 5-star all the way. We stayed at the Grand1/2 cup raw cashews
Chapultepec hotel and ate at the absolute finest1/4 water
restaurants for pennies on the dollar. To this day,1 seeded chipotle pepper plus 1 teaspoon adobo
hands down, my most vivid memory of Mexicosauce
City was the fabulous food. At its core, authentic1. Place ingredients in a high speed blender or food
Mexican food is flavor-forward, fresh andprocessor. Process until smooth and creamy. Set
extremely satisfying without being overly filling.aside.
The real-deal Mexican food is considerably lighterCilantro Drizzle Ingredients
(with a focus on fresh herbs, chiles, spices and1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
nuts) and much healthier than the Americanized1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (such as Costco's
processed version that runs rampant on this sideKirland brand)
of the border.3 cloves garlic
For this particular Mexican inspired chicken dish I2-3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
combined the smoky, spicy flavor of chipotle1. Place ingredients in a high speed blender or food
peppers with fresh vibrant lime and earthy beer.processor. Process until smooth and creamy. Set
For a minute, I thought about smothering theaside.
chicken with some cheddar cheese (which, believeChicken
me, would definitely taste good!!) but then I got1 pound free-range boneless, skinless chicken
the idea to make a vegan and ultra healthy nutbreasts (such as US Wellness Meats)
"cream" in place of the cheese. I'll be honest, ISea salt (such as Costco's Kirkland brand), for
wasn't exactly sure the nut "cream" was going toseasoning
be all that great tasting. My husband was highly1/2 cup beer
skeptical when he saw sauntered in the kitchenJuice from 1 whole lime
and saw what I was up to and was super quick1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
to suggest I not get "too carried away" with my2. Season chicken breasts with salt. Place chicken
culinary creativity. Getting carried away isin a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Pour beer on top of
something I do frequently though, so I decided tochicken.
move forward with my nut "cream" anyway.3. Squeeze lime juice on top of chicken. Spread
Good thing I did!! Hands down this has to be thethe chipotle nut "cream" on top of chicken. Cover
biggest hit, best-tasting chicken dish I have madechicken with aluminum foil. Bake for 20-25
in recent memory. It's incredibly moist, rich-tastingminutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
and beyond delicious. It's also a super easy whole4. Drizzle cilantro sauce on top of chicken. Serve
foods recipe that takes less than 15 minutes ofwarm.
hands-on time to prepare. Perfect for a healthy