Blackened Chicken with Lime Spiked Quinoa

This simple and very healthy meal comes from the blog Sarcastic Cooking. The spice seasoning on the chicken gave the breasts a little kick, but, not too much so that my kids didn't eat it. If you want the chicken hotter, by all means add more cayenne pepper! Not only was the chicken delicious, but we also enjoyed the quinoa in place of regular rice! It has a yummy texture that pops in your mouth.  The addition of the creamy avocado on top was perfect! Eating healthy never tasted so good! Enjoy!

2 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded gently with a meat mallet
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp cumin
1 tsp olive oil
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup quinoa
Juice and zest from one small lime
Dash of salt and pepper
1 Tbl cilantro, finely chopped
1 ripe avocado, sliced

Combine paprika through cumin in a small bowl. Mix together then season both sides of each chicken breast. 

Add a teaspoon of olive oil to a large pan or skillet. Heat the olive oil for a minute over medium/high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the pan. Cook for seven minutes on each side. After chicken has cooked, remove the pan from the burner, cover with a tight fitting lid and wait at least 10 minutes before slicing chicken. This is a really great way to cook chicken.....if you under-cook it just slightly in the pan, it will continue to cook off the heat with the lid on. I guarantee your chicken will be tender and juicy!!

Look at that beautiful piece of chicken!

Add the chicken broth and quinoa to a medium size sauce pan. Bring to a simmer over medium/low heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes with the lid on, until all the broth has been absorbed.  Add the warm quinoa to a large bowl. Toss in the lime zest, lime juice, salt and pepper to taste, and chopped cilantro. Mix well to combine.

Serve the sliced chicken breast on top of the quinoa. Lay sliced avocados on top of the chicken. Enjoy!