Mexican Pulled Chicken Food

MEXICAN PULLED (SHREDDED) CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix the olive oil (2 tablespoons), smoked paprika (1 tablespoon), ground coriander (1 teaspoon), ground cumin (1 teaspoon), garlic powder (1 teaspoon), kosher salt (1 teaspoon), black pepper (1/2 teaspoon), and lime juice and zest (from one lime) in a small bowl or glass measuring cup.
• Place the chicken thighs in a container, bowl, or large plastic bag. Pour the marinade on top (it will be thick) and or stir to coat each piece of chicken evenly (if in a bag, just smoosh it around until everything is evenly coated). Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, or as long as 24 hours.
• Heat a large (12-inch) non-stick skillet over medium high heat (see notes for other skillets). Add marinated chicken; sear without moving on one side for 5-7 minutes (check that it's not burning after 2-3 minutes- you may want to turn the heat down to medium if you have very hot burners or flip it earlier if it's cooking fast).
• Once the seared side is browned and looking crispy, flip to other side and sear, until chicken is cooked through to 165 degrees F or meat is no longer pink (another 5-10 minutes, depending on thickness and size of chicken. Turn the heat down to medium or medium-low if both sides are seared but inside is not yet cooked the whole way). If you have a lid to your skillet, you can cover it to speed up the cooking time a bit.
• Remove chicken from skillet to a cutting board. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then shred with two forks. Optional: for an extra punch of flavor, you can return the shredded chicken to the skillet to coat in the cooking juices.
• Serve with a squeeze of fresh lime juice garnished with fresh cilantro, if desired. Use in enchiladas, on tacos or burritos, in bowls, or on its own as a main course.

SLOW COOKER MEXICAN PULLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place ingredients in the slow cooker in the following order: chicken, taco seasoning, black beans, salsa, corn, onion, bell pepper, and water.
• Cook on Low until chicken is no longer pink in the center and juices run clear, 6 to 8 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Shred chicken with 2 forks.

MEXICAN-STYLE PULLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken in the bottom of a slow cooker. Pour enchilada sauce and salsa over top. Cover and cook until you stir and the meat starts to fall apart, on Low for at least 6 hours or on High for at least 3 hours.
• Lift out pieces of meat with 2 forks and place on a plate. Shred meat and return to the pot for at least 20 minutes to absorb the remaining sauce.

SHREDDED MEXICAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Remove remaining fat and skin from chicken.
• Rub lime halves all over chicken and allow to sit to impart flavor.
• In a large pot, bring next 6 ingredients to a boil.
• Add chicken, reduce heat and simmer until chicken is cooked (about 20 minutes, depending on size).
• Meanwhile, mix salsa, cumin and chili powder in a large bowl.
• Drain chicken until it is cool enough to handle.
• Add chicken to salsa mixture and shred chicken with two forks, stirring to distribute salsa and seasoning.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.

SHREDDED CHICKEN FOR ENCHILADAS, TOSTADAS, TACOS...

Steps:

• Place first four ingredients in a pot. Add just enough water to cover the chicken.
• Bring to a slow boil, cover, lower heat to maintain a simmer and cook until done, about 20 - 25 minutes. If using a whole chicken; cook approximately 50 - 60 minutes.
• Remove chicken from pot, let cool and shred. (I cool my chicken in the refrigerator to be safe) If using a whole chicken; remove meat from bones and shred. Reserve broth.
• In a large pan, melt butter over low heat.
• Add the remaining ingredients listed, except tomato sauce, salt, and broth.
• Sauté until soft, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in shredded chicken and briefly sauté.
• Add tomato sauce and ½ cup of reserved broth.
• Salt to taste.

SHREDDED CHICKEN - MEXICAN STYLE

Steps:

• Add all ingredients into sauce pot. Boil until most of the water is gone.
• Remove chicken & shred using 2 forks.
• Serve on a tortilla with cheese, sour cream, and a scoop of the concentrated veggie mix left in the pot. Can also be used for chicken enchiladas, quesadillas, King Ranch, etc.

MEXICAN SHREDDED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts into the bottom of a slow cooker. Add enough water to just cover. Add onion, salsa, garlic, cumin, chili powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper; stir.
• Cook until chicken breasts are no longer pink in the centers, on High for 6 hours or Low for 8 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Remove chicken to a plate and shred with 2 forks.

MEXICAN PULLED CHICKEN & BEANS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Rub the chicken thighs with 2 tbsp of the chipotle paste. Put the rest in a medium bowl with the garlic, tomatoes, onion and some seasoning. Stir to combine, then tip into a large roasting tin. Sit the chicken thighs close together on top of the sauce. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hr.
• Remove the roasting tin from the oven, add all the beans and stir into the tomato mixture around the chicken. Put back in the oven, uncovered, for 20 mins or until the chicken is tender and the beans are hot.
• Meanwhile, mix the herbs, lettuce and cucumber with a drizzle of olive oil and set aside.
• Shred the chicken using a knife and fork, and discard the bones. Mix the chicken through the sauce and beans. Serve with the salad, tortilla chips and lime wedges.