Blackened Chicken Avocado Cups

Okay. I have another confession. I do not like being outdoors.


Camping? LOL, no. I'll take a cabin please. And there better be a bathroom.
Hiking? Double no. I need there to be a really awesome present waiting for me at the top of the hill to get me up there.


I do not like to sweat. I do not like dirt. And most importantly I do not like wearing shoes. 


I KNOW. Wait, what's that you say? I have a degree in Environmental Studies? I have a Keep Tahoe Blue sticker on my car? 


Yes. But I am not a hypocrite. Nature is pretty, and Tahoe is awesome. I'll take pictures all day long of pretty naturey stuff. I totally love that people like going outside and doing outdoorsy things...I want to like being outside, I really do. I just don't. But I 100% care that it gets protected so whoever wants to enjoy it has the opportunity to do so.


But where did I find myself today? On the couch catching up on True Blood? Oh I wish. But no. HIKING. Yes, Ian made convinced me to go hiking with him and his family today. It was hot, and I did get really sweaty. I also sighed a lot and probably had a mean face on most of the time. 

Proof.

But it was pretty and Ian really enjoys being outdoors, so it didn't turn out to be that bad. Plus we saw the coolest rock formation eveeer:

Yes. A face in a rock. I forget the name of it, but it has something to do with a ghost. Totally reminded me of Boo from Mario. Best part of the hike.


Remember those avocado chicken cups I told you about? I made them, yay! And while I don't think they were as good as the ones we had, I think they're pretty damn good. Plus, I got to use the Crockpot again, yesss. Make sure to use a ripe avocado or it might be too tough to eat. You can adjust the seasoning to your taste, but what I used came out perfectly spicy without melting my mouth. I kinda just threw stuff in the crockpot and crossed my fingers it would work, and it totally did. I used 1/3 cup of the chicken to fill each avocado half...any more and it would overflow. Mine came out to about 3 cups, so I have plenty of leftovers, and I'm planning on using it as taco filling for dinner tomorrow. 


Dirt, ghosts, and avocados. Not a bad Sunday. 


Blackened Chicken Avocado Cups
280 calories per avocado half, with 1/3 cup chicken mix 
Inspired by Rooster PM (blackening spice adapted from here.)
Print this Recipe!


blackening spice:
1 Tbsp paprika
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp thyme
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
½ tsp ground cayenne pepper


2 6 oz chicken breasts, frozen or thawed
avocados, pitted and peeled (½  per person)
½ red onion, diced
3 roma tomatoes, diced
8 oz diced green chiles
cotija cheese (½ oz per avocado half)


1. Combine the spices in a small bowl.

2. Add the tomatoes, green chiles, and red onions to the Crockpot. Add the seasonings, and stir to combine. Add the chicken breasts, and make sure they are completely submerged. Cook on high for 2 hours.


3. After 2 hours, use two forks to shred the chicken. (It may be easier to take it out and shred it on a cutting board.) Cook on low for another hour. 


4. Preheat the oven to 250°. Once the chicken is done, place the avocados on a baking dish and cook in the oven for about 5 minutes, or until warm. Remove, and fill each half with chicken. Top with diced red onions and cotija cheese, and serve warm.

UPDATE: I used this leftover chicken to make tostadas and they were also amaaazing, so if you have leftover chicken you should totally try this.

enjoy!
Amanda