This Healthy Costa Rican Chicken and Chayote is a simple and delicious electric pressure cooker recipe. Using a pressure cooker does a great job of sealing in the moisture and flavor of the chicken and the chayote squash. The seasonings are drawn deep into the meat and vegetables, providing juicy, tender bites every time.
Minimal preparation and a fast cook time make this a great option for busy nights when you have plans but little time to cook. Because both chicken and chayote are plentiful in Central America, this dish is a highly affordable option. It’s cheap, easy, and nutritious—what more could you ask for?
(Note: Nutrition information does not include sauce.)
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken Fillet (3.5 ounce each)
- 2 Small Onion
- 2 Cloves of Garlic
- 4 Chayote
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Thyme
- 1 Tomato
- 4 tbsp Mayonnaise (Optional-Dipping sauce)
- 4 dash Hot Sauce – to taste (Optional-Dipping sauce)
- .5 Lime (Optional-Dipping sauce)
Preparation
- Chop the onion and place half in one small bowl for the seasoning mixture. Place the other half in a separate small bowl, and set it aside.
- Mince the garlic, and add it to the seasoning bowl.
- Combine the thyme and paprika to the seasoning bowl, and set it aside.
- Chop the tomato and add it to the onions (NOT the seasoning mix) then set it aside.
- Peel the chayote. Cut the chayote in half down the crease. Use a spoon to remove the seed. Cut each piece in half again to create quarters.
Cook
- Place the whole piece in the electric pressure cooker.
- Top the chicken with half of the contents of the seasoning bowl.
- Place the chayote pieces on top of the seasoned chicken. Top the chayote with the remaining contents of the seasoning bowl.
- Secure the lid to the pot, and start on “Poultry” setting.
- When finished cooking, release the pressure and remove the lid.
- Take the chicken from the instant pot, and cut it in half. Place a piece of chicken and chayote on plates.
- Top the chicken with the onion and tomato mixture and serve.
Prepare Dipping Sauce For Chayote (Optional)
- Squeeze the lime half into a small bowl.
- Mix in the mayonnaise and hot sauce.
- Spoon the sauce into small dipping bowls, or directly onto plates.
