My husband Chris and I have become addicted to a Mexican restaurant about 10 minutes from our house. We go mainly for one reason: the fresh, homemade guacamole.
Along with it comes, of course, a huge basket of fried tortilla chips. We never intend to finish off the full basket between the two of us.
But somehow. I always end up feeling too full for my entrée, peering down at an empty tortilla chip basket (save for those abandoned, too-small-for-dipping, broken-off bits clinging to the napkin at the bottom).
Guacamole just seems to do that to us. That rich creamy dip combined with those crunchy, salty chips: the combo is just too irresistible.
This is exactly why, up until this summer, I never really made it at home. I saved the calorie overload for rarer, eating-out occasions.
But then I came up with this recipe for Guacamole Chicken Lettuce Wraps and now we’ve been eating tons of homemade guacamole at home all summer.
Here’s how it’s healthier: you mix in some healthy and filling grilled chicken, adding a delicious and healthy complement to the rich avocado. You serve it over lettuce leaves for that satisfying crunch without the calories. And you only need one baked tortilla chip per lettuce wrap to get that delicious guac-and-chip flavor, greatly controlling your portion of high calorie tortilla chips.
This recipe is so easy too. It’s become one of my favorites for summer.
Here are the key ingredients for today.
Begin by dicing a jalapeño pepper. Chop off the ends. Cut the pepper in half and then into quarters, lengthwise.
Use your knife to cut out all the seeds inside.
Cut the pepper into long strips lengthwise and then run your knife in the opposite direction, dicing up the pepper.
Place your knife flat over a clove of garlic and press down hard, smashing the clove.
Once smashed, the skin is easy to pull off.
Mince up the garlic clove.
Use your knife to cut some cilantro leaves from the stems. Then pile up the cilantro leaves and run your knife through the pile in every direction, chopping the cilantro.
Cut a lemon in half and squeeze out all the juice. If you’re having trouble squeezing out all the juice, just grab a fork to press into the lemon and help you along.
Cut an avocado in half lengthwise and scoop out the pit. Then cut a grid pattern into the avocado. And use a spoon to scoop out all the diced avocado and put it in a mixing bowl.
Add the fresh lemon juice and then smash up the diced avocado with a fork.
Stir in the diced jalapeño, minced garlic, and chopped cilantro.
Add a bit of cumin and some salt and pepper.
Finally, add chicken.
You can use leftover chicken you’ve already stored in the fridge. Or pick up a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken at the deli.
I just season some skinless, boneless chicken breasts with salt and pepper and throw them on the grill.
Then just cube the cooked chicken.
And stir it in to the guacamole.
Separate the leaves of a head of Boston lettuce.
Then scoop a couple of tablespoons of Guacamole Chicken Salad into each leaf.
And crumble a baked tortilla chip over each one.
This dish is really rich and satisfying and flavorful.
Chicken with avocado is one of those perfect flavor match-ups. I think they were made for each other.
And the yummy crunch from the lettuce and the salty tortilla chips is so perfect with the rich and creamy guacamole chicken.
So there you have it: the perfect Guiltless Guacamole dish.
Here is the complete printable recipe:
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 12 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
- 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- 2 ripe avocados, pits removed, peeled, and diced
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ clove garlic, finely minced
- ½ jalapeño pepper, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 head Boston lettuce, leaves separated
- 20 baked whole grain tortilla chips
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Prepare the grill for medium heat.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and cook for about 6 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook the second side for about 6 minutes more, or until chicken is cooked through.
- Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes.
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized cubes.
- Place the avocado and lemon juice into a large mixing bowl. Use a fork to mash the avocado until it reaches a creamy consistency. Add the jalapeno, garlic, cilantro, and cumin. Season well with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Â Mix in the cubed chicken.
- Place 1-2 tablespoons of the guacamole chicken in the center of a Boston lettuce leaf. Crumble one tortilla chip over the top. Repeat until all the guacamole chicken mixture is used. Serve immediately.
This I just love … and something I will do very soon. Fantastic flavors … easy and quick plus the most wonderful photos. Will come back with feedback.
What I have been looking for this post …. couldn’t for my life remember who had provided it. Did it the last week and I want to do review … changed into salad instead … but I need the link of the dish.
It was very VERY tasty and I will do it again.
Will work on the post now. Only took me 45 mins, to find this!
I love guacamole! and the lettuce leave is a great idea!
Genius idea to add chicken to guacamole! Must try this ASAP!
these look wonderful! such a great idea seeing as guac is one of my greatest weaknesses 🙂
Who doesn’t love guacamole! These wraps look fantastic.
I love guacamole, and during this hot weather its almost all I can think about, love the idea of incorporating it into some delicious wraps!! 🙂
What a healthy summer meal! I love eating anything with avocados– they have such good fat in them, and really satisfy!
I have a similar problem when I eat out… I’m usually so hungry that I have to stop myself from eating all the bread up! Another great recipe idea 🙂
Beautiful photos my friend, what a fresh and delicious appetiser 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
What a fabulous idea! And they look cute too! 🙂
I love lettuce wraps! What a great idea to add chicken and turn this into a complete meal!
You guacamole chicken lettuce wraps sound so good! I love it when delicious is healthy too. They look so cute as well!
I love chicken, I love guacamole. Why did I never think of putting the two together?! All those years wasted when I could’ve been eating this! Thanks for showing me the light 🙂
I love guacamole. This sounds fantastic. I am like you I could eat the whole bowl of chips and guacamole, this is a much better way to eat it.
What a delicious little treat 🙂
I love guacamole and think this is a fun way to beat the heat and have something delicious! 🙂
Um…genius. Love. Yum!
Yum. Sounds so good. I made guacamole the other day and just enjoyed it so much! Love your idea!
My kids love guacamole.. and these are such a pretty way to serve it! I love that they’re healthier!
Looks yummy! Have to try it. Thanks
Joy
Oh my goodness, that looks amazing! I’m going to go buy avocados immediately – previous dinner plans aborted 🙂
Oh I just love this idea! Great way to serve a bunch of guests instead of just putting out a big bowl. So much more personal! Love the guacamole recipe!
My Oh My….this is one for the recipe books. Thanks for this, since I would not have thought of mixing the chicken in with the guac’ for a wrap. Very interesting combo!
what an excellent idea! i bet it would make a great party app too! genius!
Guac is one of my favorite things and I’m always getting requests to bring it to family parties. I love the idea of turning it into the star of a whole meal though, rather than just for a snack!
Love this!!! What a great idea! I’m going to make up a batch and take them over to surprise my mom with this weekend! She and I were talking about avocados (and our love of them) just this morning!
what a super cool and healthy idea. seriously, this is what every person who wants to lose weight should eat. brillian!
I love love LOVE the color on these! Well done!
This is stellar! This takes lettuce wraps to a whole new level in my opinion. I love avocado and could easily eat these every day! Nice! Hope you have a great weekend!
You have been nominated for the One Lovely Blog Award because you have wonderful ideas that completely inspire me! http://southernmoonbackporch.wordpress.com/2012/08/03/one-lovely-blog-award/
Reblogged this on Hendribs2000's Blog.
What a great idea! Avocados by far are one of my favorite ingredients for delicious dishes.
I could seriously eat guacamole every day. Avocados are my favorite food! I’m totally making this…
Hi there, Jan …. is the link to my review of this dish – really enjoyed it. http://wp.me/p293Pw-3b9
How wonderful – I love guacamole, but never thought of making into lettuce wraps. Very brilliant!
It looks wonderful!
Oh my holy deliciousness! I made this for dinner tonight and it was fantastic! Thank you for sharing your recipe! 🙂