This flavorful Chicken Al Pastor recipe features marinated chicken thighs, a smoky chipotle and achiote base, and the sweetness of pineapple, all grilled to perfection on skewers. It’s a savory, tangy, and slightly sweet dish that’s perfect for tacos, paired with corn tortillas and fresh cilantro.
Ingredients for this Chicken Al Pastor Recipe:
- 4 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
- 2 tablespoons achiote paste
- 6 large cloves garlic, peeled
- 1 (7 ounce) can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, drained
- 1 ⅓ cups finely chopped onion, divided
- ⅔ cup orange juice
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut in half
- 8 (12-inch) jumbo wooden skewers
- 1 large fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 20 (6 inch) corn tortillas
- ¼ cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro
Directions for this Chicken AI Pastor Recipe:
- Prepare the marinade: In a small saucepan, toast the guajillo chiles over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes until they become fragrant. Remove from heat and let them cool. Once cooled, place them in a blender or food processor. Add the achiote paste, garlic, chipotle peppers, half of the chopped onion, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, cumin, brown sugar, and salt. Blend until smooth and well combined.
- Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs with the marinade. Mix well, ensuring the chicken is fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for maximum flavor.
- Prepare the skewers: Soak the wooden skewers in water for 20 minutes to prevent them from burning. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, alternating with slices of fresh pineapple and the remaining chopped onion.
- Grill the chicken: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the chicken is fully cooked and slightly charred.
- Assemble the tacos: Once the chicken is cooked, carefully remove it from the skewers. Slice the chicken and pineapple into bite-sized pieces. Serve on warm corn tortillas, topped with freshly chopped cilantro.
Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus marinating time)
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Servings: 20 tacos
Nutrition (per serving, 1 taco):
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 8g
Enjoy your Chicken Al Pastor recipe tacos!
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Source: www.allrecipes.com
