Chicken Enchilada Zucchini Boats

A paleo friendly recipe to slim down a Mexican favorite - enchiladas . . . I think kids would really enjoy these too!

Zucchini Boat Ingredients:

4 medium zucchinis, cut in half lengthwise
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 small onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder or regular chili powder
1 cup cooked and shredded chicken
1 teaspoon oregano
1 1/2 cups enchilada sauce (see below)
1 handful cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)

Enchilada Sauce Ingredients:

2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 tablespoons coconut flour
5 teaspoons red chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1 garlic clove, minced
1 6 ounce can of organic tomato paste
2 1/4 cups water
Salt and pepper to taste

Zucchini Boat Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat.
3) Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and add zucchini halves and boil for 1 minute. Remove and let cool. Once cooled hollow out the zucchini halves with a small spoon reserving the flesh.
4) Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion and peppers and sauté for 5-7 minutes.
6) Add garlic, cumin, and chili powder and sauté for 1 minute.
7) Add reserved zucchini flesh, chicken, corn, oregano, 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce and cilantro. Cook for a few minutes until heated through and remove from heat.
8) Spread 1/4 cup of enchilada sauce over the bottom of a large baking dish. Place zucchini in the dish and stuff them with the chicken filling and top with the remaining enchilada sauce.
9) Bake in oven for about 30 minutes or until zucchini is tender. Garnish with cilantro. Enjoy!

Enchilada Sauce Directions:

1) Heat oil in a sauce pan.
2) Add flour to pan to make roux.
3) Add spices and tomato paste. Stir until well blended into roux.
4) Add water gradually, stirring constantly. Heat until boiling.
5) Continue simmering and stirring until desired thickened. About 4 minutes.

(This sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the fridge)