Taco Stuffed Avocado

Taco Stuffed Avocados

We have a REALLY FUN recipe for you to make this weekend! These avocado halves are stuffed with perfectly seasoned ground chicken BUT the real star of the show is the homemade chipotle salsa drizzled on top. Your salsa is smoky, sweet, & tangy thanks to a few secret ingredients (chipotle in adobo + a fresh orange).

This salsa is what takes these stuffed avocados to the next level! So good! Have lots of fun creating something new in your kitchen this weekend!

Rachel’s tips:

Chipotles in adobo sauce is a great way to get that deep, smoky, spicy cooked-all-day flavor into a quick dish.

Look for simple ingredients if you’re buying a jar at the store (OR make your own! Lots of recipes online if you search them)

Chipotle chiles are dried smoked jalapenos. Adobo is a tangy, slightly sweet red sauce.

So the ingredients may include peppers, spices, herbs, garlic, vinegar, etc.

I like to freeze the extra peppers in adobo & sauce, in an ice cube tray for future use.

ALWAYS use freshly-squeezed lime juice from an actual fresh lime. Bottled lime juice from the store will give your salsa a strange metallic or overly acidic taste. We want this dish to taste bright and fresh.

What’s really in those taco seasoning packets?!

I love to mix up my own seasonings with organic spices because those little packets of taco seasoning are often made with canola and soybean oils linked to inflammation, sugar, anti-caking agents, and natural flavors. Not to mention making my own taco seasonings actually tastes WAY better too!

BEST Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix:

You’ll never purchase those store-bought packets again, after making it yourself!!

So simple, delicious, and lasts for several months – so double or triple this recipe and keep it handy in a small glass container near your stove.

Taco Seasoning Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsps chili powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp paprika
• 3 tsps ground cumin
• 2 tsps sea salt
• 2 tsps ground black pepper

Instructions for Taco Seasonings:

In a small mixing bowl, whisk all ingredients until combined well.

Store in an airtight container.

To use your homemade spice mix in recipes, start with a smaller sprinkle – taste test to decide the amount of spice for your family’s taste. Usually, 2 Tablespoons per pound of ground meat is perfect.

Cheese Please:

Instead of buying pre-shredded cheese, I like to find a block of grass-fed cheese ON SALE and shred it myself….or better yet enlist one of the kids for this duty.

Most pre-shredded varieties are coated in strange things (anti-caking & clumping) that actually interfere with the natural texture and the beautiful melting qualities. Cellulose anyone?

Turn your package of pre-shredded cheese over and read through the actual ingredients. You may be surprised to see the additives that are there to keep the shreds looking nice in the package.

8 servings

Stuffed Taco Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsps avocado oil
• 1-1/2 lbs ground chicken or turkey
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded & finely diced
• 2 Tbsps taco seasoning spice mix
• 4 avocados, halved and pitted
• 1/2 cup Cotija cheese OR shredded Colby Jack cheese
• a handful of fresh cilantro leaves

Chipotle Salsa:

• 1 large fresh orange, peeled and cut into segments
• 1 fresh lime, juiced
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo
• 1 Tbsp raw honey
• sea salt, to taste

Stuffed Taco Instructions:

To make it easier to scoop out take a knife and gently make cuts in avocado flesh in a cross-hatch pattern, careful not to break through the avocado peel.

Heat your oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the meat, bell pepper, onion, and taco seasonings. Cook, stirring and breaking the meat occasionally, for about 8-10 minutes until cooked through.

Meanwhile, in a food processor, add the lime, orange, honey, chipotle peppers in adobo, sea salt, and ground pepper. Process until smooth.

Once the meat is done and fully cooked through, stir in half of your chipotle salsa and remove from heat. Reserve the remaining half of your salsa to drizzle over the avocados just before serving.

Arrange your avocado halves on a platter and spoon the meat mixture into each as desired.

Top with cheese, cilantro, and remaining chipotle salsa.

Use a spoon to dig in!

Enjoy!

Rachel

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