Cilantro Lime Chicken- Cooking with Lei

I met my friend, Lei, at Bible Study Fellowship in Ames, Iowa.  She had just arrived in the United States from China.  That was in September, 2008.  We connected immediately and became friends.  She has been a great friend.  We have shared holidays, family reunions, church activities, and many wonderful times.  We have a very special connection.  I was not married yet, but I did marry in Septemeber of 2011, just last year. Lei and her husband, Xiaopeng, were there to help Doug and I celebrate.  Little did I know when I met Lei that I would also be living in the same community of Ames, Iowa.  Now Lei and her husband are moving to Boston, Massachusetts.   My husband and I are very excited about the plans the Lord has for Lei and her husband Xiaopeng as they start their new adventure.  Lei can cook these recipes and remember the times we had in Ames.

Denise and Lei.

Lei came to my house to cook together, so we could capture this time together before they move on to the next chapter in their lives.  Follow us as we cook together and have wonderful conversations about the last four years, and the anticipation of what is to come as they move.

Cooking & Conversation.

The first recipe we cooked was Cilantro Lime Chicken.  It is a very  simple, easy dish to prepare  if you  do not have a lot  of experience in the kitchen, or do not have a lot of experience cooking American cuisine.  We cooked the chicken two different ways.  One was in a conventional oven and the other was in a slow cooker.  Both ways turn out a very delicious chicken.  Follow along with us as we prepare this savory recipe.

Lei has wanted to learn how to cook a chicken dish.  I have wanted to try this recipe, Cilantro Lime Chicken, since I found it on allrecipes.com.  It was submitted by ltlmsmfft.  

Ingredients:

• 1 (16 ounce) jar salsa
• 1 (1.25 ounce) package dry taco seasoning mix
• 1 lime juiced
• 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro
• 3 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Gather the ingredients.

Drizzle some olive oil in the bottom of oven bakeware.

Pour in 1- 16 oz. jar of your favorite salsa,( mild, medium, or hot).

Add dry taco seasoning packet.
We used 1/2 of packet as we used 1-1/2 lbs. chicken.

Slice 1 fresh lime in half.

Squeeze 1/2 lime juiced into pan.
Stir to combine.

Add chicken breast to casserole dish.
We used 1- 1/2 lbs, and altered the recipe accordingly.

Season chicken with salt.

Season with black pepper.

Coat chicken with the salsa mixture.

Add a handful (about 3 tablespoons, if chopped) of cilantro.

Ready for the oven.

Bake 350 degrees for 45 minutes until chicken is tender.

Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken

Pour 1- 16 oz. jar of salsa into slow cooker.

Add 1 package dry taco seasoning mix.

Squeeze juice of 1 lime into mixture.

Tear a handful of cilantro into cooker.

Add 3 pounds skinless chicken breast.

Season with salt.

Season with pepper.

Stir to coat with the salsa mixture.

Cover the cooker.  If set to High, cook until chicken is very tender, about  4 hours.
If desired, set to Low and cook 6 -8 hours.  Shred the chicken with two forks.
The chicken will absorb the salsa and seasonings 

This one is served on a flour tortilla.  It is rolled and layered with
 a lettuce leaf, chicken, black beans, and Spanish rice.
Enjoy!