These tacos are made with tender, braised meat. Similar in style to Mexican street tacos, the chicken is cooked until the meat is melty and then condiments are used to add flavor. We tried this method as a weekday dinner and decided it’s going into the repertoire for sure. Our families really liked it. Try serving the tacos with this delicious side salad of Hearts of Palm, Avocado & Corn, a green Spring Onion and Jalapeno Salsa, and finish them with a little adobo sauce from a can of chipotles en adobo for more heat.
Recipe: Simple Braised Chicken
3 lbs. skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Olive oil
1 carrot, diced
1 celery rib, sliced
1 red pepper, diced
1 yellow onion, diced
5 lg. cloves garlic, minced plus 2 more for easy guacamole
3 c. chicken stock or broth
3 ripe avocados
1 lime
Small corn tortilla rounds, about 2 per person
Note: And, don’t forget ingredients for condiments mentioned above. Condiments are a must for any good taco.
Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper. In a large dutch oven or saute pan, heat a generous glug of olive oil over medium high. When hot, add half of the chicken pieces and saute (about four minutes per side) until lightly browned. Remove to plate and repeat with other thigh pieces. Set aside.
In the pot or pan add carrot, celery, red pepper, onion and garlic. Saute for 8-10 minutes until soft. Add stock to pot and return chicken thighs to pot, nestling them in to cover with vegetables. Bring pot to boil and then reduce heat to simmer and cover pot. Cook for one and a half hours.
Remove chicken thighs to a separate plate to cool enough to handle. (Don’t discard the vegetable broth, it will be great another meal with steamed rice and black beans!)
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl mash avocados together with minced garlic. Add juice of 1 lime and mix.
When ready to serve, heat a small cast iron pan to hot. Place one corn tortilla in to heat for about 30 seconds per side. Fill each tortilla with some braised chicken pieces and a dollop of the guacamole. You can also put some shredded cheese out on the table or other add-ins that you prefer.
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