Best Chicken Carnitas Restaurant Style Easy Recipes

CHICKEN CARNITAS RECIPE

Steps:

• Oven Method:Preheat your oven to 325"F.
• In a large cast iron dutch oven add 2 tbsp of olive oil and layer the chicken thighs on top. Sprinkle with the chicken carnitas seasoning: sea salt, garlic and onion powder, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes and chili powder. Add the garlic cloves and orange peels.
• Pour the orange and lime juice over the top and give everything a good toss to coat. Cover with a tight lid and transfer to the preheated oven for 1 1/2 hours until the chicken i tender and falls apart when stabbed with a fork.
• Use two forks to shred the chicken in the same pot you cooked it in then transfer it to a broiler proof baking sheet or dish. Drizzle the carnitas with the honey all over the top and broil for a few minutes until caramelized at the edges. Make sure to keep a close eye on the carnitas so they don't burn.
• To cook the acorn squash, preheat oven to 400"F.
• Cut the acorn squash in half and scoop out the seeds. Cut a thin slice off of the bottom of each acorn squash half so it sits flat during baking.
• Rub the inside of each acorn squash with a little olive oil and sprinkle generously all over with sea salt, red pepper flakes, freshly cracked black pepper and cumin. Roast for 50 minutes to 1 hour until tender and caramelized around the edges.
• Serve the carnitas inside the roasted acorn squash bowls, sprinkled with the pepitas and garnish with the cilantro and edible flowers if available. Serve with lime wedges, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and sour cream.

INSTANT POT® CRISPY CHICKEN CARNITAS

Steps:

• Combine cumin, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Sprinkle over chicken breasts on both sides.
• Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and sear chicken breasts, 1 to 2 minutes per side, working in batches so chicken sears rather than steams. Transfer chicken to a plate.
• Add garlic and onion to the hot cooker; cook and stir until browned evenly on all sides, about 2 minutes. Return chicken to the pressure cooker along with lime juice, chicken broth, cilantro, chipotle pepper with 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, orange zest and juice, and bay leaf. Close and lock the lid. Set timer for 8 to 10 minutes, depending on size of chicken breasts.
• Meanwhile, combine mayonnaise, milk, chipotle pepper and 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, salt, and garlic powder to an electric blender. Blend chipotle sauce until smooth.
• Release pressure from the cooker using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, 10 to 40 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.
• Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Transfer chicken breasts to a clean surface and reserve cooking liquid. Shred chicken meat using 2 forks. Place in a large bowl and drizzle 1/4 cup cooking liquid over chicken; toss to coat. Drizzle 1 tablespoon oil over the surface of a baking sheet. Add chicken to the sheet and drizzle remaining 1 tablespoon oil on top. Stir to coat evenly.
• Broil chicken in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. Toss chicken with 1 to 2 tablespoons reserved cooking liquid and rotate the pan for even broiling. Continue broiling until crispy, 5 to 7 minutes more. Serve with chipotle sauce.

CHICKEN CARNITAS-RESTAURANT STYLE-EASY!

Steps:

• After prepping the food heat a large heavy skillet over med-hi to high heat and add the butter and olive oil and allow them to bubble and get sizzling. Add the chicken and spread evenly into pan. Watch the heat and adjust the temp as needed! You need the skillet to be hot yet you dont want to scorch the chicken or oil.
• Stir fry chicken for about 4 mins and then add the onion and peppers. You may need to increase the heat for a bit if the skillet cools down too much-remember we want the chicken and veggies to carmelize a bit. If needed add a bit more butter or olive oil.
• Let veggies and chicken cook at least 4 more minutes and then sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper. 1/2 tsp is about what I use but it's just an estimate-please go heavy or light depending on your preference.
• At this point if you can tell the chicken is done(test a piece if needed) then stir in the A-1 sauce and let the chicken and veggies cook about 1 minute or so.
• Serve with the flour tortillas and top with shredded lettuce, chopped cilantro, and guacamole. A squeeze of lime is also good. I love to serve with pot scrubbers mexican rice and mashed pinto beans.