Mexican Style Pulled Chicken Recipes

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.

SLOW COOKER MEXICAN PULLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place ingredients in the slow cooker in the following order: chicken, taco seasoning, black beans, salsa, corn, onion, bell pepper, and water.
• Cook on Low until chicken is no longer pink in the center and juices run clear, 6 to 8 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Shred chicken with 2 forks.

MEXICAN-STYLE PULLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken in the bottom of a slow cooker. Pour enchilada sauce and salsa over top. Cover and cook until you stir and the meat starts to fall apart, on Low for at least 6 hours or on High for at least 3 hours.
• Lift out pieces of meat with 2 forks and place on a plate. Shred meat and return to the pot for at least 20 minutes to absorb the remaining sauce.

SLOW COOKER SHREDDED MEXICAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix chile powder, paprika, onion, garlic, and cumin together in a small bowl.
• Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Lightly coat with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Coat all sides of chicken with seasoning mix.
• Pour 1/2 of the salsa in a slow cooker and spread to cover the bottom. Place chicken on top and cover with remaining salsa.
• Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours or on High for 4 hours, until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Shred chicken with tongs and stir thoroughly so it can absorb remaining juices in the slow cooker.

MEXICAN SHREDDED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts into the bottom of a slow cooker. Add enough water to just cover. Add onion, salsa, garlic, cumin, chili powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper; stir.
• Cook until chicken breasts are no longer pink in the centers, on High for 6 hours or Low for 8 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Remove chicken to a plate and shred with 2 forks.