Crispy Cheesy Tacos (Printable Recipe Version)
Make crispy chicken tacos with tender shredded meat, seasoned adobo sauce, crunchy tortillas, and gooey melted Oaxaca cheese.
# Ingredients You’ll Need:
01 -
3 lbs chicken thighs with bones.
02 -
1 tsp fine salt.
03 -
1/2 tsp ground black pepper.
04 -
2 tbsp olive oil.
05 -
1 tbsp black peppercorns.
06 -
1 tbsp cumin seeds.
07 -
1 tbsp whole coriander seeds.
08 -
6 whole cloves.
09 -
1/2 stick cinnamon, broken into bits.
10 -
1 yellow onion, diced.
11 -
8 garlic cloves, finely chopped.
12 -
6 guajillo chilies, deseeded.
13 -
4 ancho chilies, deseeded.
14 -
1 arbol chili, deseeded.
15 -
4 ripe tomatoes, chopped up.
16 -
2 tbsp cider vinegar.
17 -
1 tbsp oregano, dried.
18 -
1 tsp smoked paprika.
19 -
1 tsp thyme, dried.
20 -
1/2 tsp salt.
21 -
4 bay leaves.
22 -
3 cups broth (chicken).
23 -
12-14 tortillas (corn).
24 -
12 oz mozzarella or Oaxaca cheese.
25 -
1/2 white onion, diced small.
26 -
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped.
27 -
1-2 tbsp fresh lime juice.
28 -
A small pinch of salt.
# Steps to Make It:
01 -
Heat the whole spices in a large pot until you smell 'em.
02 -
Toast the dried chilies in a dry pan, then set aside for later.
03 -
Sprinkle the chicken all over with salt and pepper.
04 -
Heat oil and brown your chicken in the pot until golden.
05 -
Cook diced onions in the same pot until they soften up.
06 -
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for just 1 minute.
07 -
Dump in all the sauce ingredients. Let it simmer 10-15 minutes.
08 -
Carefully blend the sauce until silky and smooth.
09 -
Place the chicken back in the pot with the sauce and bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes.
10 -
Pull apart chicken into shreds, saving a little sauce for dipping.
11 -
Coat tortillas in sauce, fry each one till slightly crisp.
12 -
Pile on the cheese and let it melt under a lid.
13 -
Fill one side with chicken, fold tortillas, and cook till they're nice and crisp.
14 -
Top with onion-cilantro mix and serve with dipping sauce.
# Extra Information:
01 -
Prepare the sauce beforehand to cut down cooking time.
02 -
Corn tortillas that are high quality won't fall apart.
03 -
Keep tacos warm in the oven at 250°F.
04 -
You can make this in a slow cooker (6-7 hrs on low) or Instant Pot (15 min).