Zesty Mexican Chicken Recipes

EASY SPICY MEXICAN-AMERICAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a small baking dish.
• Mix the hot sauce, paprika, ground cayenne pepper, and brown sugar in a bowl, and stir until the mixture is well combined. Place the chicken thighs in the baking dish, and coat them with a layer of sauce. Cover the dish with foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil, and bake until the chicken has cooked through, and the sauce has thickened and started to brown, about 20 more minutes.

ZESTY MEXICAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken in a 4-qt. slow cooker coated with cooking spray., In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, onion, green pepper, garlic, lime juice, pepper sauce, salt and pepper. Pour over chicken., Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or until chicken is tender. Serve with rice.

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.

SPICY MEXICAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Process the avocado until smooth. Fold in 1/2 cup sour cream. Set aside in the fridge.
• Combine breadcrumbs, hot paprika, cumin, onion salt, and oreganoin a bowl.
• Toss chicken in flour, shake away excess. Dip in eggs, then coat in breadcrumb mixture.
• Shallow fry chicken in hot oil until browned on both sides. Approximately 5-10 minutes either side.
• Place in oven, on a hot tray. Bake at 180C for 10 minutes.
• Top each breast with the avocado mixture, tomatoes, sour cream, and hot salsa.

PRESSURE COOKER SPICY MEXICAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste. Heat olive oil in a pressure cooker over medium high heat. Once hot, place the chicken breasts in the pressure cooker and briefly sear for half a minute on each side.
• Add the minced garlic, chipotle pepper and adobo sauce, ground cayenne, smoked paprika, oregano flakes, and the Mexican hot sauce (or red salsa). Stir to combine.
• Lower to heat to medium-low and cover the pressure cooker. Cook for 15-20 minutes (3-4 whistles), and then turn off the heat.
• Allow the pressure to release naturally (this should take 8-10 minutes), then remove the lid of the pressure cooker.
• Use tongs to transfer the chicken breasts to a chopping board or plate and shred with two forks. Return the shredded chicken back to the sauce in the pressure cooker and add the chopped coriander (if using). Stir to combine.
• Use in quesadillas, tacos, nachos, burritos, sandwiches, wraps, salads, etc. If not using immediately, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. Use within 4-5 days.
• Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste. Select the 'Sauté' function on the instant pot. Once the pot displays 'Hot', add olive oil in the inner pot and heat for a minute. Place the chicken breasts in the pot and briefly sear for half a minute on each side.
• Add the minced garlic, chipotle pepper and adobo sauce, ground cayenne, smoked paprika, oregano flakes, and the Mexican hot sauce (or red salsa). Stir to combine.
• Select the 'Cancel' function and close the lid. Make sure that the vent is in 'Sealing' position. Select 'Manual' and adjust the +/- buttons to set the cook time to 20 minutes.
• Once cooking has completed, allow the pressure to release naturally. Remove the lid.
• Use tongs to transfer the chicken breasts to a chopping board or plate and shred with two forks. Return the shredded chicken back to the sauce in the pot and add the chopped coriander (if using). Stir to combine.
• Use in quesadillas, tacos, nachos, burritos, sandwiches, wraps, salads, etc. If not using immediately, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. Use within 4-5 days.

ZESTY MEXICAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken in a 3 or 4 quart slow cooker coated with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, onion, green pepper, garlic, lime juice, pepper sauce, salt and pepper. Pour over chicken.
• Cover and cook on low for 3-1/2 to 4 hours or until juices run clear.
• Is best when served with rice.