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Chicken Al Pastor

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  • Author: Lily Carter
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 2 hours 40 mins
  • Yield: 4-6 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 and served with grilled pineapple. This recipe combines the smoky heat of chipotle peppers with the tangy sweetness of orange juice and pineapple for a delicious meal.


Ingredients

Units Scale

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

Chicken and Pineapple:

  • 3 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut in half
  • 8 (12-inch) jumbo wooden skewers
  • 1 large fresh pineapple – peeled, cored, and sliced

Serving:

  • 20 (6 inch) corn tortillas
  • 1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Prepare Marinade: In a blender, combine guajillo chiles, achiote paste, garlic, chipotle peppers, 1 cup onion, orange juice, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, cumin, brown sugar, and salt. Blend until smooth.
  2. Marinate Chicken: Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag and pour marinade over it. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  3. Assemble Skewers: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Thread marinated chicken and pineapple alternately onto skewers.
  4. Grill: Grill skewers for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and pineapple is charred.
  5. Serve: Serve Chicken Al Pastor on tortillas topped with remaining onion and fresh cilantro.

Notes

  • If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
  • You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less chipotle peppers to the marinade.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 skewer with 2 tortillas
  • Calories: 380 kcal
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 620 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg