amazing date night chicken tacos
We love to go to our favorite Mexican restaurant... but when we can't get a sitter or are too tired to go out, this dinner fits the bill! This recipe satisfies that need for quality Mexican food we enjoy out, but right in the comfort of our home... now my husband says he'd rather have these.
Blue Ribbon Recipe
It may be the stewing of the chicken, we're not sure, but something special happens that does make these tacos amazing. The tender and juicy chicken is cooked in a rich and spicy picante sauce that has a hint of cilantro. It's served in soft and warm buttery tortillas. Fresh and crunchy, we love the combination of toppings - queso fresco, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and more cilantro. The cheese melts slightly on the hot chicken, and the sour cream cools down the heat from the sauce. A quick, easy, and fun dinner idea.
Ingredients For amazing date night chicken tacos
- FILLING:
-
3 Tbspbutter or margerine
-
1/2 cfinely diced white onion
-
2 lbboneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
-
3 cwater
-
16 ozPace picante sauce (mild or medium** reserving 1/3 cup**)
-
1/2 tspsalt
-
1/2 tsppepper
-
1/2 TbspAdobo seasoning
-
1 Tbspchopped fresh cilantro (fresh works best)
- TOPPINGS:
-
1 Tbspbutter or margerine
-
1 pkgflour tortillas
-
2 cfinely shredded iceburg lettuce
-
1/2 cfresh chopped cilantro
-
2 cshredded queso fresco or Monterey Jack cheese
-
1 1/2 cfinely chopped tomatoes (optional)
-
1/2 csour cream (optional)
How To Make amazing date night chicken tacos
-
1Start by heating butter over medium heat in a large, deep frying pan or Dutch oven. Saute the onions until almost caramelized (just a hint of color). -
2Then add the fresh chicken and cook until the chicken loses its pink color and starts to SLIGHTLY brown (about 4-5 mins) (don't overcook or the chicken will not end up tender).
-
3Next add water, dry spices, and the jar of Pace Picante sauce (reserving the 1/3 c for garnish later). Turn the heat up to medium/high, raising it to a slow boil, and cook for about 45 mins. Cover with a lid to reduce the evaporation of liquid. Check and stir frequently. Add small amounts of water if needed. The chicken will be "stewing" and should have A LOT of liquid, so adjust your heat so that it doesn't dry out/scorch.
-
4By this time, most of the liquid should be absorbed, but chicken mixture should be "saucy." Take 2 forks and begin to shred all the chicken until it's the consistency you like Stewing the chicken for so long creates a great soft/moist texture and really infuses the meat with all those wonderful flavors! Of course, add a pinch of any of the dry seasonings to suit your personal taste. Lastly, add 1 Tbsp of butter to give the "sauce" a nice richness and finishing touch.
-
5Start assembling your tacos with a warmed tortilla shell filled with stewed chicken, lettuce, fresh cilantro, cheese, tomatoes, the 1/3 c reserved Picante, etc. These are fabulous with a side of refried beans and yellow (Saffron) rice. You'll never miss going out to that favorite Mexican restaurant again, lol. Enjoy!
-
6**NOTE** Warm your tortillas in the microwave by taking them out of the plastic bag and wrapping them in damp paper towels on full power for about 1 min. Keep them wrapped up to prevent drying them out and warm when everyone comes back for 2nds... because they will!
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
