Mexican Pulled Chicken Recipes

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.

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.

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.

TEX-MEX PULLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Position an oven rack 5 to 6 inches below the broiler element and preheat the broiler on high.
• Add the tomatoes, jalapenos, onion and bell peppers to a baking sheet, drizzle with the olive oil, sprinkle with the oregano, chili powder, cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and toss everything together to get it all coated with the oil and spices. Push it to one side of the baking sheet. Lay the chicken flat on the other side and season it with salt and pepper.
• Broil for 5 minutes. Flip the chicken and vegetables and return to the broiler until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are softened and charred, about 5 more minutes.
• Wrap the tortillas in kitchen paper and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds Remove, unwrap and put on a platter.
• Shred the chicken. Spoon the roasted vegetables into a blender with any juices from the baking sheet and blend until smooth. Toss 1 cup of the sauce with the chicken. Squeeze the juice of 1 lime over it. Put the remaining sauce in a bowl to serve on the side.
• Serve with the warm tortillas, salsa, sour cream, crumbled cotija cheese, lime wedges and cilantro.

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.

SHREDDED MEXICAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Fill a 6- to 8-quart pot halfway with water.
• Wash and rinse chicken thighs and breasts thoroughly and place into the pot with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil and cook, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes.
• Remove the lid and simmer for 10 minutes. Shred chicken in the pot with 2 forks so it can absorb some of the moisture. Simmer until stock has reduced, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Mix 1/4 cup water and cornstarch together in a small bowl. Stir into the pot and cook until sauce is thick, about 10 minutes.

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.