Name: Easy Flavorful Chicken Birria Tacos
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Total time: 3 h
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) chicken thighs, skin removed; 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil; 3 dried guajillo chilies, stems removed; 2 dried ancho chilies, stems removed; 1 dried pasilla chile, stem removed; 4 cloves garlic, peeled; 1 medium white onion, quartered; 1 tsp (5 g) ground cumin; 1 tsp (5 g) Mexican oregano; 1 tsp (5 g) smoked paprika; 0.5 tsp (2.5 g) ground cinnamon; 1 tsp (6 g) kosher salt, plus to taste; 0.5 tsp (2.5 g) black pepper; 1 cup (240 ml) water; 2 tbsp (30 ml) tomato paste; 12 small corn tortillas (≈6 cm / 2-inch diameter); 150 g (5.3 oz) mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese; 0.5 cup (75 g) white onion, diced; 0.5 cup (12 g) cilantro, chopped; 2 limes, cut into wedges; 1 avocado, sliced (optional); 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable shortening or oil for frying; 0.5 cup (120 ml) low-sodium chicken broth; 1 tbsp (15 ml) lime juice; Pinch of cayenne pepper

Description

These Easy Flavorful Chicken Birria Tacos deliver authentic Mexican flavors with tender, slow-cooked chicken in crispy tortillas, served with a flavorful consommé for dipping. This recipe is surprisingly easy to make and sure to impress!

Ingredients

1.2 kg (2.6 lb) chicken thighs, skin removed
2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
3 dried guajillo chilies, stems removed
2 dried ancho chilies, stems removed
1 dried pasilla chile, stem removed
4 cloves garlic, peeled
1 medium white onion, quartered
1 tsp (5 g) ground cumin
1 tsp (5 g) Mexican oregano
1 tsp (5 g) smoked paprika
0.5 tsp (2.5 g) ground cinnamon
1 tsp (6 g) kosher salt, plus to taste
0.5 tsp (2.5 g) black pepper
1 cup (240 ml) water
2 tbsp (30 ml) tomato paste
12 small corn tortillas (≈6 cm / 2-inch diameter)
150 g (5.3 oz) mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese
0.5 cup (75 g) white onion, diced
0.5 cup (12 g) cilantro, chopped
2 limes, cut into wedges
1 avocado, sliced (optional)
2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable shortening or oil for frying
0.5 cup (120 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
1 tbsp (15 ml) lime juice
Pinch of cayenne pepper

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Instructions

Sear Chicken: Brown chicken thighs in oil for flavor.
Rehydrate Chiles: Soak dried chilies in hot water to soften.
Blend Sauce: Combine chilies, garlic, onion, spices, water, and tomato paste.
Simmer Chicken: Cook chicken in sauce for 2 hours until tender.
Fry Tortillas: Briefly fry tortillas for pliability.
Assemble Tacos: Fill tortillas with chicken, cheese, onion, and cilantro.
Make Consommé: Simmer broth, add lime juice and cayenne.

Notes

For best results, use bone-in, skin-removed chicken thighs and maintain a gentle simmer during cooking. Allowing the chicken to rest after cooking enhances tenderness.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 150 minutes
Category: Mexican
Method: Stew
Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

Serving Size: 3 tacos
Calories: 450 kcal
Sugar: 10 g
Sodium: 800 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 5 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 150 mg