Fiesta Chicken with Avocado Salsa

so i tried this recipe for the first time this week and it turned out really good! It was super easy and the chicken was so tender so here it is.

Ingredients for Avocado Salsa*:
2 medium tomatoes chopped ( about 1 1/2 cups)
1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled and chopped
1 medium/small onion chopped
1/4 c of lime juice ( about 3-4 limes)
1 finely chopped jalapeno pepper ( take out seeds)
1 tsp finely chopped garlic
1/4 tsp salt ( to taste)

Ingredients for Chicken:
3 small chicken breasts ( about 1-1/2 lbs)
1/4 c lime juice ( 3-4 limes)
1/4 c vegetable or olive oil
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:
1. Place chicken in a shallow dish. In a small bowl mix lime juice, oil, cumin and salt. Pour over chicken and refrigerate ( for up to an hour)
2. Meanwhile, In a medium bowl mix together all salsa ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray appropriate size pan ( 9inch) with cooking spray.
4. Place chicken in pan. Pour marinade over chicken.
5. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes.
6. Uncover and bake 20 minutes longer ( until chicken is cooked in center)
7. Remove from oven and serve chicken topped with salsa.

When I made this recipe I had extra salsa so I included tortilla chips and I also made a taco flavored rice as a side topped with sliced avocado. It turned out delicious. Enjoy!

* 1 cup of purchases chunky salsa can be substituted for the salsa you just add chopped avocados into the salsa. I think home made salsa is better but that's just my opinion!

Delicious Lasagna

Last night I made lasagna for the very first time, I have always been hesitant because I don't like ricotta cheese ( or so I thought) and it turns out I really enjoyed it! Its a little time consuming but totally worth it!

Ingredients:
1/2 lb sweet italian sausage
1/2 lb lean ground beef
1/4 c minced onion
1/2 tbsp minced garlic
14oz can crushed/diced tomatoes
6oz can tomato paste
1/3 c. water
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp dried basil leaves                               
1/2 tsp fennel seeds
1/2 tsp italian seasoning
1/2 tbsp salt
pepper ( to taste)
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
6 lasagna noodles
6 oz ricotta cheese
1 egg
1/2 lb mozzarella  cheese
1/2 lb fresh parmesan cheese

Instructions:
1. Cook sausage, ground beef, onion and garlic in large pot until no longer pink.
2. Stir in tomato paste, diced tomatoes and water.
3. Season with basil, fennel seeds, italian seasoning, salt, pepper and 1tbsp of fresh parsley.
4. Simmer on low heat while doing other steps.
5. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water 8-10 mins. Drain and rinse with cold water.
6. In a small bowl combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1 tbsp parsley, and 1/4tsp salt
7. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
8. Spray a 9x9 glass container.
9. Starting with meat mixture start layering, top meat with ricotta cheese, then motzarella cheese followed by 3 noodles. Add more meat then 3 more noodles top those with last bit of meat and then mozzarella and parmesan on top.
10. Spray a piece of tin foil with cooking spray ( to keep cheese from sticking to it)
11. Cover and bake for 25 mins.
12. Remove foil and bake for additional 20 mins.
13. Remove and let sit for 10 mins.
14. Enjoy!

my little kitchen

I have always loved to cook and I have loved being in the kitchen since I was very little.
My mom has taught me everything she knows and the rest I find in books.
I love to make up recipes and modify them according to my moods. I cook a full meal almost everyday and I love trying new recipes. I created this blog to show people ( especially my sisters) some fun and easy recipes that anyone can make at home. Feel free to share some of your recipes with me.