Spiced Chicken Bites with Shredded Plantain & Mango-Avocado Salsa

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This dish really made me realize how versatile plantains are.  I have used them a few times before, but this recipe is by far my favorite way to cook them as a savory dish.  Plantains are a great Paleo substitute for your normal grain-based starches/carbohydrates and are pleasantly filling.

Plantains may look similar to bananas and come from the same family, but there are important nutritional differences between the two.  Plantains are a good source of fiber and contain more Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and potassium than regular bananas.  They also provide decent levels of iron, magnesium, and phosphorus.  Green plantains have a much lower sugar content than bananas as well.  

Green plantains are also a source of resistant starch.  I have recently done some reading about resistant starches and the benefits they have for your gut health.  Resistant starches are not absorbed by the small intestine, but instead help "feed" the good bacteria in your colon.  Mark's Daily Apple has a good guide to these starches, if you want to read more on the subject.  

The one curiosity I still have left about plantains is the cost effectiveness in comparison to other Paleo "carb" substitutes, such as sweet potatoes or cauliflower.  If you any knowledge or thoughts on this topic please post it in the comments!


Spiced Chicken Bites with Shredded Plantain 
& Mango-Avocado Salsa
Adapted from Inspiralized
Yield: ~4 servings

Ingredients
Spicy Chicken Bites
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 chicken breasts, cubed
  • 1 tbsp curry powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp coriander
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp red chilli flakes
  • Pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
Shredded Plantain
  • 2 green plantains
  • 1/2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1/4 a large vidalia onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp coriander
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Mango-Avocado Salsa
  • 1 ripe mango (peeled and chopped)
  • 1 avocado, chopped
  • 8 grape tomatoes, halved
  • 2 T salsa verde (Bought from Trader Joe’s)
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • salt and pepper to taste
Directions
For Spicy Chicken Bites
  1. Mix all of your spices for the chicken in a bowl and stir to combine. Set aside.
  2. Place a large skillet over medium heat and add in the olive oil for the chicken.
  3. Once hot, add in your cubed chicken.  Cook until lightly browned.
  4. Add in the dry spice mixture and stir to coat the chicken.
  5. Add the chicken broth and turn down to a simmer, cooking for about 5 minutes.
For Shredded Plantain
  1. Peel the plantains and shred using the shredder attachment on your food processor.
  2. While the chicken is cooking, place another large skillet over medium heat and add in the olive oil for the shredded plantain.
  3. Add in the onion and garlic.
  4. Cook for 2 minutes and then add in the spices, stirring to combine.
  5. Add in the plantain rice, cook for 1 minute and then add in the chicken broth.
  6. Let reduce fully and cook to your desired consistency, about 5 minutes.
For Mango-Avocado Salsa
  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and toss to mix.
Last step: Serve and enjoy with a nice glass of wine!
-Brought to you from Erin's Kitchen

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