I try not to write recipes that call for “a bottled” anything, but sometimes a truly easy weeknight meal is necessary; and what could be more necessary after a week of water-damaging home emergencies and take out?
This Mexican pulled chicken recipe is very wholesome to begin with, but I think it is as healthy as you make it. You can always use the meat to make chicken tacos, but for the healthy version serve the chicken “taco salad” style on a bed of lettuce with black beans, tomatoes, avocado and sauteed peppers or in a whole wheat wrap.
A more indulgent version could be made with chicken thighs instead of chicken breast and served as a “torta” with oaxaca cheese, guacamole, and hot sauce on soft bread. If you have more time, check out my pulled pork and carnitas recipes.
Mexican Pulled Chicken
(serves 2-4)
In a heavy, lidded pot heat olive oil to medium and add onion, cumin, chili powder and a big pinch of salt and pepper. Cook onion, stirring regularly until it starts to soften. Add chicken, salsa and chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
Remove chicken from pot and set aside. While chicken cools bring the uncovered sauce to a boil, and reduce for 5 minutes. When the chicken is cool enough shred it with two forks. Stir chicken back into sauce and reduce heat to low. Add lime juice. Taste and adjust for seasoning. Serve on rice, or tortillas with fresh tomatoes, shredded lettuce and avocado.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this recipe, perfect for a busy weeknight meal!
Mmm yes. A torta. That is what I want to do with this. Covered with oaxacan cheese. You’ve read my mind.
Love it. Well, I love all your recipes
i love this recipe..pulled chicken in mexican style..love it..wud make a great sandwich too
I can’t seem to get enough Mexican cuisine lately, so this pulled chicken recipe is definitely going on the “to make” list!
I really like the look of this dish. Can I use bottled salsa here?
Kalyn – why thank you!
Joanne – there is a place near me that sells nothing but Tortas, heaven!
Tiffany – aw, shucks.
Trendsetters – a torta is actually a mexican sandwhich
Lauren – thanks! It makes great quesadilla filling too!
Anh – hell yeah, I did.
The wheat wrap looks appetizing. Chicken is my favorite. Thanks for this post!.
I just made this! Delicious
Great recipe.
Made these tacos tonight, and they were a huge hit! Great idea to use leftovers as a filling for quesadillas
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Loved this recipe!! So flavorful and easy. It is going to take the place of my fajita recipe for a while and the leftovers are great too!
Excellent recipe!
Homemade salsa can replace the bottle in no time:
4 lg tomatoes
the other half of a large white onion
1 habanero (seeded)
1 banana pepper (seeded)
~5 sprigs cilantro, with the stems
2 cloves garlic
juice from 1/2 lemon
1 tsp salt
Toss in the food processor. Scoop some into your chicken and some into your black beans. Save the rest for eggs at breakfast.
Add more pepper as desired
Salsa for cooking freezes well, although its not the same to scoop up onto chips.
Thanks for the great tip April!
In LOVE with this recipe! My two year old and seven year old clean their plates and asked for seconds!
Thats awesome Melissa! I love hearing this since I don’t have any kids yet myself
Awesome and so easy to make! Thanks for sharing!