Sunday, November 17, 2013

Mexican-Style Cooked Chicken meat ~ For your favorite Mexican recipes



Mexican-style Chicken meat from the Slow Cooker
As shared by Once Upon a Plate by Mari
www.onceuponaplate1.com
Mexican-Style chunk/shredded chicken that can be used in a variety of ways. (for Tacos, Enchiladas, Tamales, Nachos, Salads, Casseroles, etc.) I always make plenty as it freezes, in the portion size you want, very well. 
Special Equipment: Slow Cooker
Special Seasoning:  Homemade Taco Seasoning (click)

Recipe yield ~ The basic recipe below is for 1 recipe (increase seasoning, and broth/water in proportion as you increase amount of chicken.)The basic recipe below is for 1 recipe (increase seasoning, and broth/water in proportion as you increase amount of chicken.)this recipe is adjustable, use as much chicken or as little according to your needs, increase Taco Seasoning amount. 
The basic recipe below is for 1 recipe (increase seasoning, and broth/water in proportion as you increase amount of chicken.)

Original Basic Recipe



Basic recipe:
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts*
3 Tablespoons dry Taco Seasoning (Homemade or Commercially made)
1 cup chicken broth (preferably low sodium)
---Stir taco seasoning into chicken broth.  Place chicken (and onion, bay leaves and oregano) in the slow cooker container, pour broth mix over.  Cover and cook on low-setting for 6 to 8 hours.
With 2 forks or your fingers, break apart or shred chicken meat into bite-size pieces.
Use as you wish, or  ~
To freeze: Place shredded chicken meat into freezer bags, dividing juice evenly among bags. Press out as much air as possible, seal and freeze.

My Most Flavorful Version: (This is the favorite at my house.)
Chicken ~ your choice of any of the following:
---boneless/skinless breast and/or thigh meat
---bone-in/skin-on meaty chicken parts
---whole chicken(s) ~ quartered or cut into serving pieces
Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix  (Preferred! ~ Click here for recipe)
or Taco Seasoning Mix* (1 packet commercial mix, additional packs if you are preparing more chicken)
Chicken Broth (preferably low sodium)
Optional (I always add):
1 or 2 onions, chopped
1 or 2 bay leaves
Additional dried Oregano

Follow directions above. If using bone-in/skin-on chicken: After cooking allow chicken to cool enough to handle. Remove skin and bones, discard. Shred chicken or break into bite size pieces. Spoon any accumulated fat from surface and discard. Alternately, place chicken meat with broth  in a container and cover. Chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours or overnight, when fat has

solidified simply remove and discard.  Note:  We like it VERY flavorful; I always add more of my homemade taco seasoning, and additional low-sodium chicken broth (and a little water if you like at the end of cooking time if broth is too concentrated to your liking.)

You can make a wonderful EASY sauce for enchiladas using some of the juices from this chicken:

Simply whirl in blender or food processor some of the hot cooking juice, your favorite jarred salsa with low sodium chicken broth until smooth. May add water to thin the sauce, taste for seasonings and use in your favorite recipe calling for enchilada sauce.

* 1 commercial Taco Seasoning packet is the approximate equivalent of 2 to 3 Tablespoons homemade Taco Seasoning mix.