Avocados with stuffing on a table - Stuffed Avocados with Cilantro Cream Sauce- Amy Myers MD®

Stuffed Avocados with Cilantro Cream Sauce

Print Page     Free eBook: Guide to Leaky Gut

Written by Amy Myers, MD

If you’re looking for a light, healthy lunch or dinner idea, try this protein-packed Stuffed Avocados recipe! Made with shredded chicken and topped with a cilantro cream sauce. This dish comes loaded with lean protein from both chicken and my Unflavored Paleo Protein powder. You also get healthy plant fats from the avocado. This low carb Chicken Stuffed Avocado recipe is AIP friendly and Paleo friendly. It’s a win-win all around.

You may have come across recipes for stuffed peppers or potatoes. Those following The Myers Way®, AIP or other elimination diet need to steer clear of these nightshade vegetables. That’s why I like to use stuffed hass avocados! Not only are they AIP friendly, but their texture and flavor complement the chicken and cilantro cream sauce quite nicely. Of course, it’s even better when you pile the toppings on high.

AIP Chicken

Marinating chicken - - Stuffed Avocados with Cilantro Cream Sauce- Amy Myers MD®

Shredded chicken is one of those healthy meal prep ingredients that are so convenient and versatile. It’s great on top of salads, in zucchini enchiladas, and piled high on top of stuffed avocados! This AIP friendly shredded chicken is seasoned to have lots of flavor without the inflammatory nightshades. You can prepare the chicken for this dish either on the stove-top or in the Instant Pot.

To make AIP chicken, simply season chicken breast with a combination of sea salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, and dried oregano. Then, place it in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop and cook with some sliced onions and chicken broth. The chicken broth helps make the chicken tender and juicy, and the cooked onions add additional flavor.

This recipe makes enough chicken for four whole Stuffed Avocados (or eight halves). That means you can keep some leftover shredded chicken in the fridge to make more Stuffed Avocados the next day. Or, you can save it for other recipes. For example, you can use the shredded chicken in these healthy chicken salad lettuce wraps. You could also add them as toppers on a salad to make it a protein-rich, healthy meal.

I like to use whole chicken breasts to make shredded chicken instead of buying store-bought. It’s a great source of lean protein without any harmful additives or preservatives. This type of protein helps build and repair muscle tissue. 

If you buy organic hormone-free and antibiotic-free chicken, you’ll get additional health benefits. Furthermore, organic chicken contains more zinc and vitamin B12 compared to non-organic chicken. Zinc is important to keep our immune systems healthy and to reduce inflammation. Vitamin B12 is necessary for energy, an active metabolism, and a healthy nervous system.

Hass Avocados

 

In addition to being delicious, avocados are also very nutritious. In fact, avocados are loaded with healthy monounsaturated fats which help keep our hearts healthy. These healthy fats also help keep you full. They’re also high in vitamins C, E, and K which support a healthy immune system, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory function. These nightshade free fruits are The Myers Way® approved for fun to use in so many dishes.

That said, make sure to get organic Hass avocados. You’ll want to make sure they are ripe enough to be easily pierced and scooped up with a fork.

Cilantro Cream Sauce

I top these Chicken Stuffed Avocados with a dairy-free cilantro cream sauce. It’s an easy-to-make sauce that comes together quickly in a bowl. This cilantro cream sauce comes with coconut yogurt, fresh cilantro leaves, lime juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. 

The yogurt cilantro sauce is tangy, garlicky, creamy, and so tasty on top of creamy avocado and shredded chicken. If you are not a fan of cilantro, don’t worry. You can use chopped scallions or parsley instead. 

Coconut yogurt is a great dairy-free creamy alternative to sour cream. It contains gut-healthy probiotics and electrolytes, which help regulate fluids in the body. Make sure to get store-bought unflavored coconut yogurt that doesn’t have any sweeteners. Also, make sure it contains AIP friendly thickeners. Examples of these include tapioca or arrowroot. You can also make your own coconut yogurt.

I like to drizzle the cilantro cream sauce on top of the chicken and serve some on the side for dipping. It’s so good!

Paleo Protein Powder

Paleo Protein, yogurt, and avocados - Stuffed Avocados with Cilantro Cream Sauce- Amy Myers MD®

Many people aren’t getting enough quality protein. This is where having a quality paleo protein powder can help. My Unflavored Paleo Protein powder offers the purest, most absorbable form of protein you can get. Sourced from non-GMO, grass-fed, hormone and antibiotic-free beef, this Keto and Paleo protein powder is hydrolyzed for easier mixing. No clumps or aftertaste!

What Pairs Well With Avocados?

While this Chicken Stuffed Avocados recipe is amazing on its own, there are dishes you can pair it with if you feel like getting creative in the kitchen.

One way to spice things up is to serve it alongside Mexican Chicken. You could also embrace a more zesty theme and serve these as a side to some Cilantro Ginger Organic Pork Lettuce Wraps. Or, serve it as a snack alongside these Sweet Potato Bites with Guacamole Cream.

As far as toppings go, try adding a few of these:

  • Chopped cucumbers
  • Chopped radishes
  • Diced red onion or scallions
  • Crumbled bacon

What’s great is that you can experiment with all kinds of flavors and textures. Make it your unique creation!

Stuffed Avocados with Cilantro Cream Sauce

Course:

Main Dish

Protocol:

Autoimmune Solution (AIP), Candida Breakthrough®, Paleo, Thyroid Connection

Servings:

4 servings

Prep Time:

10 minutes

Cook Time:

25 minutes

Passive Time:

25 minutes

Ingredients

For the chicken:
  • 1 lb organic chicken breast
  • 1 yellow onion
  • 1/2 cups chicken broth (or more, as needed)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
For creamy cilantro sauce:
  • 1/2 cups unsweetened organic coconut yogurt
  • 2 tbsp cilantro leaves
  • 1/2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 cloves of garlic finely minced
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt to taste
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp water as needed
  • 2 ripe Hass avocados

Instructions

Stove-top instructions:
  1. Combine the chicken seasonings (garlic powder through black pepper) and season the chicken on both sides.
  2. Heat a medium pan and add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan. Cook the chicken on both sides for 3-5 minutes over medium heat.
  3. Add the chicken broth and onions, cover, and allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked. Keep an eye on the pan and add more chicken broth or water if it is evaporating.
  4. Transfer the cooked chicken, onions, and any remaining liquid to a heat-safe bowl and carefully shred with two forks.
Prepare the creamy cilantro sauce and serve:
  1. In a small bowl, combine the coconut yogurt with the next 5 ingredients (cilantro leaves through black pepper). Mix well. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water if you want a thinner sauce.
  2. Slice the avocados in half and remove the seed. Place about ½ cup of shredded chicken on top of each avocado half.
  3. Drizzle the cilantro garlic yogurt sauce on top, and serve immediately garnishing with fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges.
Instant Pot instructions:
  1. Place the chopped onion on the bottom of the inner pot of the Instant Pot. Place the chicken breasts on top. Pour ½ cup chicken broth into the pot. Combine the seasonings (garlic powder through black pepper) and sprinkle over the chicken breasts.
  2. Pressure cook at high pressure for 25 minutes. Allow the pressure to naturally release, then open the Instant Pot lid.
  3. Use tongs or forks to shred the chicken in the pot, incorporating the cooked onions into the shredded chicken. Remove the chicken from the pot. The concentrated chicken broth can be used for chicken soup or for other recipes.