Best Mexican Smothered Chicken Thighs Recipes

MEXICAN-SPICED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• Lay out the chicken thighs in the prepared pan, skin-side up. Squeeze the lime juice all over the meat.
• Combine all the spices in a small bowl. Sprinkle generously over the meat.
• Divide the butter up into 8 little clumps. Place 1 clump on top of each chicken thigh.
• Bake for about 45 minutes.

MEXICAN PULLED (SHREDDED) CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix the olive oil (2 tablespoons), smoked paprika (1 tablespoon), ground coriander (1 teaspoon), ground cumin (1 teaspoon), garlic powder (1 teaspoon), kosher salt (1 teaspoon), black pepper (1/2 teaspoon), and lime juice and zest (from one lime) in a small bowl or glass measuring cup.
• Place the chicken thighs in a container, bowl, or large plastic bag. Pour the marinade on top (it will be thick) and or stir to coat each piece of chicken evenly (if in a bag, just smoosh it around until everything is evenly coated). Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, or as long as 24 hours.
• Heat a large (12-inch) non-stick skillet over medium high heat (see notes for other skillets). Add marinated chicken; sear without moving on one side for 5-7 minutes (check that it's not burning after 2-3 minutes- you may want to turn the heat down to medium if you have very hot burners or flip it earlier if it's cooking fast).
• Once the seared side is browned and looking crispy, flip to other side and sear, until chicken is cooked through to 165 degrees F or meat is no longer pink (another 5-10 minutes, depending on thickness and size of chicken. Turn the heat down to medium or medium-low if both sides are seared but inside is not yet cooked the whole way). If you have a lid to your skillet, you can cover it to speed up the cooking time a bit.
• Remove chicken from skillet to a cutting board. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then shred with two forks. Optional: for an extra punch of flavor, you can return the shredded chicken to the skillet to coat in the cooking juices.
• Serve with a squeeze of fresh lime juice garnished with fresh cilantro, if desired. Use in enchiladas, on tacos or burritos, in bowls, or on its own as a main course.

FIESTA SMOTHERED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder; add the chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat; set aside., In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, saute the mushrooms, onion and jalapeno in 2 teaspoons butter until tender. Remove and keep warm., Drain and discard marinade. In the same skillet, cook chicken in remaining butter over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 170°. Spoon vegetable mixture over each chicken breast; sprinkle with cheeses. Cover and cook for 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted.

TEXICAN SMOTHERED CHICKEN

Steps:

• 1. Cut pablano and jalapeno peppers, tomatillos and onion in half. Place on a baking sheet and place under a low broiler for about 7-10 just to char slightly.
• 2. Place charred veggies in a food processor and pulse just a few times. You want chopped veggies, not pureed.
• 3. Season chicken on both sides with your favorite seasonings, I like to use granulated garlic and onion powder and black pepper. Lightly brown on both sides in about 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
• 4. Pour charred veggies over chicken.
• 5. To you skillet add canned tomatoes, 1/2 c. of water or chicken stock, chili powder, cumin, paprika, granulated garlic, Worcestershire and lemon juice and mix well.
• 6. Simmer uncovered for about 30 min.
• 7. Serve over spanish rice, top with a Mexican crumbling cheese.
• 8. NOTE: This can also be cooked in a slow cooker and the chicken shredded, add uncooked instant rice, or pre-cooked long grain rice to pot once chicken is done.

VERSATILE MEXICAN CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Mix the garlic, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper on a wide plate or baking dish. Put chicken thighs on top, then turn them over to coat with the seasoning mix.
• Put the olive oil in a wide skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the chicken thighs and cook 7-8 minutes. Turn the thighs over and cook 7-8 minutes longer or until thighs are cooked through.