Cilantro Summer Grilling

Photo By: Henrique Vicente

One of my all time favorite cookbooks is the Colorado Collage, it's a wedding gift that has been my go to book for many occasions through thirteen years of marriage. It has oil splatters and food stains on just about every page. There hasn't been a recipe yet I have not liked.

Since chicken is a staple for many households and it is easy to get in the chicken rut. I thought I'd share this tasty Summer recipe that pleases guests and will make you look like a gourmet chef. The best part is this recipe is simple, but you can tout it as an exotic foreign treat with ancient roots to impress your dinner guests.  

Oaxacan Chicken With Avocado Lime Sauce

1 bunch fresh cilantro, stemmed and chopped

6 Tablespoons lime juice (fresh squeezed)

2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest

1 cup fresh lemon juice

2 Tablespoons Olive oil

2 teaspoons minced garlic, divided salt

8 boneless skinless chicken breasts halves (about 2 lbs total)

2 large ripe avocados, peeled and seeded

2 green onions, finely chopped

Dash of Tabasco

1 Red bell pepper,cored, seeded and quartered

GARNISH: fresh or purchased salsa

In medium bowl combine, combine cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, lemon juice, oil, 1 teaspoon of the garlic and salt to taste. Remove and reserve 1/4 cup for sauce. Combine remaining cilantro mixture and chicken and marinate in refrigerator, 2 hours, turning once.

In large bowl, mash avocados. Add reserved 1/4 cup cilantro mixture, green onions, remaining 1 teaspoon garlic and Tabasco to taste. Stir until well blended. Preheat grill to medium. Grill chicken, discarding marinade, about 7 minutes per side until thoroughly cooked. During last 7 minutes of grilling time, add bell peppers to grill. Place chicken breasts on individual serving plates, spoon reserved avocado sauce on top. Slice bell pepper into strips and place on top of sauce. Garnish with salsa.

Interesting Note: "In the Ancient Aztec diet, a sauce of avocado, lime, peppers, and tomato, rich in Vitamin C, was a staple."

Cilantro Fun Facts:

Cilantro is also called coriander

Cilantro is used in Thai, Indian, Mexican as well as European and American Cuisine

Cilantro helps remove heavy metal toxins in the body (yes, even mercury)

Cilantro is a digestive aid (enzymes help eliminate bad breath)

Cilantro is a cleaner, it reduces bacteria food born illness

Cilantro is a blood sugar regulator

I bet Cilantro tastes refreshing juiced with cucumber and apple.

What are some of your favorite cilantro recipes?

Source:

Recipe credit goes to Colorado Collage, The Junior League of Denver, 1995. Page 269.