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Authentic Mexican Shredded Chicken Recipe

Authentic Mexican Shredded Chicken Recipe - Grandma's Tasty Recipes

As a food enthusiast and a registered dietitian, I often find myself experimenting in the kitchen. One evening, I decided to bring the bold, vibrant flavors of Mexico into my home. 
That’s when I stumbled upon what would become one of my top recipes: authentic Mexican shredded chicken. It’s a dish bursting with flavor and versatility, and it starts with just a handful of ingredients.
When I first made this, I remembered the tantalizing aromas wafting through my kitchen. The sound of sizzling garlic and onions filled the air, and soon enough, I knew I was in for something special. This shredded chicken is not just a meal; it's a celebration of flavors and textures.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 176
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 - cloves of garlic, peeled
  • 1/2 - medium onion, roughly chopped
  • 2 - boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 3 - chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • 1-2 tablespoons of adobo sauce
  • 2 - ripe plum tomatoes
  • 4-5 - fresh tomatillos, husked
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
  • - A pinch of ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
  • - Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Method
 

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add in the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until fragrant. The aroma will wrap around you like a warm hug. Sauté until the onions are translucent. This step sets the stage for the flavors to come.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
  1. Next, add your chicken breasts into the skillet. Make sure they are coated with the sautéed mixture. This is the starting point for all the flavors that will work together.
Step 3: Blend the Sauce
  1. In a blender, combine the chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, plum tomatoes, and tomatillos. Blend until smooth. You should have a vibrant, spicy sauce that reflects the heart of Mexican cooking.
Step 4: Combine Everything
  1. Pour the blended sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Add lime juice, oregano, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure the chicken is coated in deliciousness. Let it simmer, covered, for about 20-25 minutes. This is where the magic of flavors truly happens.
Step 5: Shred the Chicken
  1. Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the skillet. The meat should fall apart with ease, ready to be enjoyed in various dishes. Don’t forget to mix it in the sauce for extra flavor!
Step 6: Taste and Adjust
  1. Take a moment to taste the mixture. Depending on your preferences, you may want to adjust the spice level with more black pepper or even additional hot sauce.

Notes

  • Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables lead to a more flavorful dish. Look for the ripest tomatoes and firm tomatillos.
  • Don’t Rush It: Slow cooking is key. Letting the chicken simmer allows all the flavors to marry beautifully.
  • Experiment with Cooking Methods: This chicken works well in a slow cooker if you're looking to prep in advance.
  • Save the Leftover Sauce: That sauce leftover is pure gold! Use it as a base for soups or stews.
  • Make it Spicy or Mild: Adjust the amount of chipotle based on your spice tolerance. You can create a milder version simply by reducing it.