Description
Sizzling chicken al pastor brings Mexican street food magic right to your kitchen, blending smoky, tangy flavors with tender grilled perfection. Spicy pineapple marinade and charred edges invite you to savor an authentic culinary experience that celebrates bold, zesty traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (can substitute chicken breasts)
Marinade and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons achiote paste
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 cup pineapple (fresh, chopped or pineapple juice)
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking and Serving:
- 1 tablespoon oil (for cooking)
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
- Salsa or crema (optional)
- Tortillas (corn or flour)
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant marinade by blending achiote paste, sweet pineapple chunks, smoky chipotle peppers, tangy vinegar, aromatic garlic, earthy cumin, rich paprika, fragrant oregano, and seasoning until achieving a smooth, deep-colored mixture.
- Submerge chicken thighs completely in the prepared marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Refrigerate for a minimum of half an hour, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply into the meat.
- Preheat a grill or heavy cast-iron skillet to medium-high temperature. Carefully place marinated chicken onto the hot surface, cooking for approximately 5-7 minutes per side until exterior develops a delectable char and interior reaches a safe temperature.
- Remove chicken from heat and allow it to rest for several minutes, enabling juices to redistribute throughout the meat. Slice the chicken into thin, uniform strips that will nestle perfectly inside tortillas.
- Gently warm tortillas until soft and pliable. Layer sliced chicken within each tortilla, garnishing with fresh chopped cilantro, finely diced onions, zesty lime wedges, and a drizzle of spicy salsa or creamy sauce.
Notes
- Perfectly Spice the Marinade by tasting and adjusting seasoning before coating chicken, ensuring balanced flavors that aren’t too overwhelming.
- Optimize Marinating Time by keeping chicken refrigerated during the process, which helps meat absorb maximum flavor while preventing bacterial growth.
- Manage Heat Levels carefully when grilling, using medium-high temperature to achieve beautiful char marks without burning the delicate chicken thighs.
- Explore Alternative Protein Options like tofu or jackfruit for vegetarian versions, maintaining the authentic al pastor marinade profile while accommodating different dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg