Chipotle Chicken Cups

Can you believe Halloween is on Monday? It’s insane…honestly, where did 2011 go? Thanksgiving and Christmas are literally around the corner. I was just making St. Patty’s day cupcakes and dying Easter eggs! I just had my birthday in June!

This is the first year that I won’t be dressing up for Halloween, and it’s really really weird. Since we’re going to visit my parents for the weekend, we don’t really have anywhere to wear our costumes. I could probably wear one on Monday to work since that’s actually Halloween, but I really don’t want to be the only one dressing up…awkward.

Last year my best friend Carly had a costume party, and we went as Doug and Patty from the old Nickelodeon cartoon. We bought all the clothes at the goodwill, and I cut and sewed all the circles for my shirt. I also painted some plain tennis shoes pink, and spray colored my hair yellow.

Next year we’re totally dressing up as Miss Piggy and Kermit, because really, how can you be mad at that? Answer: you can’t.

Let’s gloss over the fact that yes, this is another muffin pan meal. I already told you I’m obsessed. It’s not a dinner really, more of an appetizer, but damn are they good. I've never cooked with chipotle powder before, but I feel like this is definitely the start of a long, beautiful relationship. These little cups are made with wonton wrappers, which I had leftover from the mini lasagnas.

I think this is one of the best meals I’ve made in a while. I mean it. The combination of chipotle, gooey jack cheese, green onions, and red bell peppers is phenomenal. I couldn’t stop eating them! But they’re super low calorie, and packed with colorful veggies and protein, so I didn’t feel guilty at all.

[PS- I might have made these two nights in a row...]

PPS- I used this salsa.

If you read my crockpot chicken recipe, then you know how much I love it. Use your favorite salsa, but if you don’t have one, totally try this one. You won’t be sorry. I also used a jar of roasted red peppers. Note that the recipe calls for cooked chicken…I took about 5 oz of chicken breast and seasoned it with salt, pepper, and a little cumin. Then I cooked it in a skillet with about ½ tbsp of olive oil until it was cooked through, about 10 minutes, and chopped it into tiny pieces.

These would be perfect for any party, or for dinner guests to snack on while you finish dinner. It’s meals like this that really remind me why I love to cook, and how easy it is to make delicious, healthy food.

Besides, if I don’t watch what I eat, I might actually end up looking like Miss Piggy…c’mon, no one wants that! Double awkward.

Chipotle Chicken Cups

makes 12 cups, 65 calories each

adapted from Gimme Some Oven

Print this Recipe!

12 wonton wrappers

1/2 cup shredded Jack cheese (or other favorite cheese)

1 cup (about 5 oz) cooked chicken, small-diced

1/2 cup roasted red bell peppers, diced 

1 cup salsa

1/2 tsp chipotle powder

1/2 cup chopped green onions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Fit 1 wonton wrapper into each of 12 muffin cups, pressing the wrappers carefully but firmly into sides of cups.  Bake at 350º for 7-8 minutes, or until lightly browned. Keep wontons in muffin cups.

the best helper! 

2. Combine the remaining ingredients in a medium bowl.  If you're using juicy salsa, you might want to drain some of the excess liquid from the bowl.

3. Add about 1/2 tbsp of cheese into each wonton cup, then divide the chicken mixture evenly among the cups.  Top each wonton with a pinch of cheese. Bake at 350º for 7-8 minutes, or until cheese melts. Remove from muffin cups and serve immediately.

enjoy! 

amanda