Chicken Cantina Recipes

CHICKEN CARNITAS RECIPE

Steps:

• Oven Method:Preheat your oven to 325"F.
• In a large cast iron dutch oven add 2 tbsp of olive oil and layer the chicken thighs on top. Sprinkle with the chicken carnitas seasoning: sea salt, garlic and onion powder, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes and chili powder. Add the garlic cloves and orange peels.
• Pour the orange and lime juice over the top and give everything a good toss to coat. Cover with a tight lid and transfer to the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours until the chicken i tender and falls apart when stabbed with a fork.
• Use two forks to shred the chicken in the same pot you cooked it in then transfer it to a broiler proof baking sheet or dish. Drizzle the carnitas with the honey all over the top and broil for a few minutes until caramelized at the edges. Make sure to keep a close eye on the carnitas so they don't burn.
• To cook the acorn squash, preheat oven to 400"F.
• Cut the acorn squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Cut a thin slice off of the bottom of each acorn squash half so it sits flat during baking.
• Rub the inside of each acorn squash with a little olive oil and sprinkle generously all over with sea salt, red pepper flakes, freshly cracked black pepper and cumin. Roast for 50 minutes to 1 hour until tender and caramelized around the edges.
• Serve the carnitas inside the roasted acorn squash bowls, sprinkled with the pepitas and garnish with the cilantro and edible flowers if available. Serve with lime wedges, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and sour cream.

CHICKEN NACHOS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together the chicken, vegetable oil, and cayenne pepper. Let stand for 15 minutes, or longer if desired.
• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken mixture, and fry until chicken is no longer pink. Remove from heat, and set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Spread a thin layer of tortilla chips in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle 1/4 of the chicken, 1/4 of the chilies, and 1/4 of the cheese over the chips. Repeat layers ending with cheese on the top.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through. Serve with your favorite nacho toppings.

MEXICAN CHICKEN RICE SOUP (CALDO CANTINA)

Steps:

• Put stock in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over med-high heat. Add rice, some salt and pepper; lower heat so that it just bubbles. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine vegetables with chicken, lime juice, cilantro and chiles (if using). Put in the bottom of one large bowl or 4 small ones.
• When the soup is ready, ladle it over the stuff in the bowls. Taste; adjust seasoning if necessary.

MEXICAN RICE BOWL WITH CHICKEN

Steps:

• Cook rice according to package instructions.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet. Season chicken cubes with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the skillet and cook until well browned. Remove from skillet and set aside.
• Add onion and garlic to skillet, and saute for approximately 5 minutes or until soft. Add in red and green peppers, continue to saute on medium-low heat until peppers are soft, about 7 minutes.
• Once softened, add all remaining ingredients (except rice and cheese), as well as the cooked chicken. Stir until all ingredients are mixed well and heated through; adjust salt and pepper.
• Serve over rice with shredded cheese and sour cream. Even heartier with a side of tortilla chips or warmed tortillas.

CHEF JOHN'S CHICKEN TINGA

Steps:

• Place chicken thighs, garlic cloves, halved onion, salt, oregano, water, and chicken stock, and water in a large pot. Bring to a simmer over high heat; reduce to medium-low. Simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
• Transfer onion halves to a bowl with a slotted spoon; transfer chicken thighs to a separate bowl.
• Pour broth through a strainer into a large bowl.
• Heat olive oil in the same pot over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook until beginning to soften, about 4 minutes. Transfer strained liquid to onions. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat; turn heat to medium-low; reduce broth by about half, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Transfer reserved boiled onions to a blender. Add chipotle peppers and the adobo sauce. Swirl a bit of water in the can and add to the blender. Add tomatoes. Cover blender with the lid. Pulse on and off until mixture is partially blended. Blend on medium speed until smooth, 1 or 2 minutes. Transfer to pot with broth and onions.
• Increase heat to medium-high. Simmer 15 minutes or so, depending on how thick you want the sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low.
• Tear chicken into bite-size pieces and add to the pot. Cook another 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish; garnish with crumbled cotija cheese and cilantro.

CATALINA CRANBERRY CHICKEN RECIPE - (3.7/5)

Steps:

• HEAT oven to 350°F. PLACE chicken in 2 (13x9-inch) baking dishes. MIX remaining ingredients; pour over chicken. BAKE 50 min. or until chicken is done (170°F). Note: Mix and match recipe using the chicken pieces you have on hand or that are on sale. Use all breasts, all thighs or a combination of both. Each breast half is one serving, while two thighs are a serving