Southern Sundays & Pinon Crusted Grilled Chicken

Welcome to Southern Sundays!

Since my mini vacation I've been remiss in posting any recipes.  So I thought I'd bring a little something to the party this week!

It's time for a Southwestern Fiesta.  The combination of chips, pine nuts and salsa turns chicken breasts into a dish with Latin flair!  The best part?  The chicken is grilled!

Crusted chicken usually involves an egg wash and flour, and messy fingers.  This technique skips all that by grilling the chicken briefly and then dipping the grilled side in salsa (a smooth version works best) and then in the pine nut and tortilla mixture.  Finish it up on the grill.  

The end result is that you have a wonderful one-sided crusted Southwestern dinner!  Oh, and don't forget to make the guacamole, it's a perfect compliment to this dish.  All this can be made in less than 30 minutes!  What a deal!

I served this with my jazzed up Refried Beans.  That recipe is coming up next!

Pinon Crusted Grilled Chicken

Serves 4

Guacamole:

2 large avocados, pitted and chopped

2 T fresh lime juice

2 T cilantro, chopped

1 jalapeno, seeded and minced

Salt

For the chicken:

¼ c chopped pinons (pine nuts)

½ c crushed tortilla chips

½ c salsa (use your favorite)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

salt & pepper

Preheat grill to medium-high.

Mash the avocado, lime juice, cilantro, and jalapeno in a medium bowl using a fork just until chunky.  Add salt to taste.  Cover and chill until use.

In a flat dish add pinons, and tortilla chips.  Stir to combine and set aside.  In another dish add salsa.  Set aside.

Salt and pepper both sides of your chicken.  Grill on medium high heat, covered, on the first side for about 5 minutes or until browned.  Take the chicken breast and dip the “cooked” side into the salsa.  Then dredge that same salsa side into the pinon crumb mixture. 

Return chicken to the grill with the crust side up.   Grill until cooked through, another 5-6 minutes.  Serve chicken over the guacamole.  

recipe shared at these parties:  Weekend Potluck
On the Menu Monday

Last week's party was filled with great dishes.  One dish stood out....way out from the crowd

Congratulations on being this week's featured dish!

Coconut Pound Cake with Lime Glaze

by Flour Me With Love

This looks awesome and reminds me of the tropics!

So let's party!  I can't wait to see what you all bring this week.  Make sure to tell all your friends so they can join the party as well!

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Enjoy, have fun, cook lots of food, and relish your Southern Sunday!