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Chicken Al Pastor

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  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 2 hrs 35 mins
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Main-course
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Chicken Al Pastor is a flavorful Mexican dish featuring marinated chicken cooked on skewers with pineapple. The combination of spices, citrus, and smoky chipotle peppers creates a delicious and unique taste.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Main Marinade:

  • 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 1/3 cups finely chopped onion, divided
  • 2/3 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

Other Ingredients:

  • 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
  • 1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Prepare Marinade: Blend guajillo chiles, achiote paste, garlic, chipotle peppers, 1 cup onion, orange juice, vinegar, olive oil, cumin, sugar, and salt until smooth.
  2. Marinate Chicken: Toss chicken in marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
  3. Skewer and Grill: Thread marinated chicken and pineapple onto skewers. Grill over medium-high heat for about 10-12 minutes.
  4. Serve: Serve grilled chicken al pastor on warm tortillas with remaining onion, cilantro, and extra pineapple.

Notes

  • If using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
  • Adjust the amount of chipotle peppers to control the dish’s spiciness level.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 skewer with tortilla
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 670 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg