California chicken

This recipe is from the cookbook Glorious One-Pot Meals. With a staggering 15 ingredients, it's not technically as Half Assed as we would like.

But it has your protein, grains and veggies, all in one shebang. Just serve with some french bread and you're good to go.

You'll need a dutch oven or stock pot for this one.

Here's what you need and how you do it

1/2 cup dry couscous

1/2 cup water

2 pieces chicken

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper (or to taste)

1/2 green bell pepper, seeded, cut in wedges

2 tomatoes, cored, cut in wedges

1/2 cup olives, sliced (we used kalamata, but black should work too)

1 avocado, firm, ripe

1/2 onion, chopped

1 teaspoon celery salt

1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1 Tablespoon dry sherry (or any wine)

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray inside of pot with olive or canola oil.

Pour dry couscous into pot. Add 1/2 cup water and evenly distribute grains across bottom. Arrange the chicken over the couscous. Season lightly with salt and lemon pepper. Add layers of green peppers, tomatoes and olives. Again, season lightly with salt and lemon pepper. Halve, pit and peel the avocado. Then, layer it in slices or cubes on top of everything.

In a small bowl, combine the onion, celery salt, basil, marjoram, sherry and lemon juice and pour into pot over all ingredients.

Cover and bake for 45 minutes.

Comments

[blissfully caffeinated]

What happens to the avocado? Does it just get mushy?

This looks excellent. Yum!

[Nora Bee]

You had me at "couscous".

[Candid]

You lost me at avocado.

But it looks beautiful.

Anything I can do for a substitute? Do the avocado's melt down into oblivion and I don't even KNOW I'm eating one? I might try it then!

[noble Pig]

Oh this is beautiful, I love this salad...I must,must make it.

[Half Assed Kitchen]

Candid,

If you don't care for avocados, I think this dish would be fine without them. No, they don't disintegrate. They do soften a little. Which worked great for me since my avocado wasn't quite ripe!

It's a really healthy, flavorful meal. Give it a try.