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Chicken Al Pastor
This chicken al pastor features almost-charred pineapple and toasty spicy chicken that is incredibly tender and juicy! Serve with of white onion and fresh cilantro.
INGREDIENTS
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4 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
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2 tablespoons achiote paste
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6 large cloves garlic, peeled
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1 (7 ounce) can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, drained
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1 ⅓ cups finely chopped onion, divided
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⅔ cup orange juice
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3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
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3 tablespoons olive oil
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1 tablespoon ground cumin
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1 tablespoon light brown sugar
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1 teaspoon kosher salt
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3 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut in half
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8 (12-inch) jumbo wooden skewers
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1 large fresh pineapple - peeled, cored, and sliced
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20 (6 inch) corn tortillas
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¼ cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add dried chiles; cook, turning occasionally, until toasted and blistered in spots, 3 to 5 minutes. Add 1 cup water to just cover the chiles, and bring to a simmer over medium-high. Cover and cook, undisturbed, until softened, about 5 minutes. Drain well.
- Combine chiles, achiote, garlic, chipotles, 2/3 cup onion, orange juice, vinegar, oil, cumin, brown sugar, and salt in a blender; process until smooth, about 30 seconds. Reserve 1/2 cup marinade, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Place remaining marinade in a shallow dish or large resealable plastic bag, add chicken; toss to evenly coat. Cover chicken with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.
- Place wooden skewers in a shallow dish; cover with water by 1 inch. Let stand at room temperature while chicken marinates.
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Position oven rack 8 inches away from heating element. Line a small roasting pan or 13- x 9-inch baking dish with aluminum foil.
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Thread 1 pineapple slice onto 2 skewers, being sure to pierce through the center core, (skewers will be about 1 inch apart), leaving a 1 1/2-inch space from end of skewer. Thread 5 to 6 pieces of marinated chicken, stacking on top of pineapple; thread 1 pineapple slice. Repeat process, ending with pineapple slice, until all chicken pieces and pineapple slices are used, making 4 stacks total. Brush with any remaining marinade from chicken.
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Place stacked skewers in the prepared pan, resting skewer ends on edge of pan so that the chicken doesn't touch the bottom of the pan.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Flip skewers over, brush with reserved 1/2 cup marinade. Bake until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 30 minutes longer. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). Increase oven temperature to broil; broil until browned and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Flip, and broil until browned and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes.
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Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over high heat. Working two at a time, add tortillas; cook, turning once, until heated and browning in some spots, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
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Remove chicken and pineapple from skewers, place on cutting board, roughly chop.
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Divide chicken and pineapple between heated tortillas; top with remaining onion and cilantro.
