Doin' Some Cooking... Bell Pepper Chicken Nachos

I'm attempting to complete a 30-Day Meal Plan. This will be my 23rd attempt since April of this year. No shit. I fall off the bandwagon and don't get back on until the start of every week on Monday, because duh!, like everyone else you can't start a "diet" on any other day.

Tortilla chips are dangerous. I have a serious salt tooth and crave chips with salsa and have no shame polishing off the entire bag and jar in one sitting. That's a lie. I feel shame the next morning when I step on the scale but tortilla chips shouldn't count as junk food. EVER!

With it being football season I look forward to Game Day food. Nachos are always a good choice except when following a 30-Day Meal Plan and this only being Day 2 of 30. I'd hate to have next Monday be my 24th attempt.

Bell Pepper Chicken Nachos = Nachos without the tortilla chips. Absurd. But I promise, you won't even miss them. Bell pepper filled with a spiced chicken mixture and topped with olives, tomatoes, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

So many veggies, your mother would be proud. Your husband... probably not so much. Let him eat the entire bag of chips and salsa in one sitting saving you the scale shame.

Bell Pepper Chicken Nachos

Adapted from: Cook with Sara

Makes 2 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1/2 tsp canola oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 3 green onions, white and green parts separated
• 3/4 cup cooked fajita chicken meat
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/8 tsp onion powder
• 1/8 tsp crush red pepper flakes
• 1/8 tsp oregano
• 1/8 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup salsa
• 2 bell peppers, any color you prefer, cut in half with seeds/ribs removed
• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/8 cup black olives
• 1/4 cup grape tomatoes, quartered
• handful of cilantro, chopped

And Action:

Heat the oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and white parts of the green onions, stir, and cook 1 minute. Stir in all of the spices. Stir continuously for 30 seconds. Add chicken and toss until all ingredients are coated and chicken is warm, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in salsa.

Arrange the bell peppers on a baking sheet in a single layer. 

Spoon mixture evenly over pepper halves. Top with black olives and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, top with tomatoes, cilantro, and remaining green onions. Serve with lime wedges if desired.