Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor Recipe
Calling all burrito bowl builders and guac guzzlers! Brace yourselves for an epic culinary adventure: we're diving deep into the world of Chipotle Chicken al Pastor, that smoky, spicy, oh-so-satisfying secret menu item that's taken the internet by storm.
Ingredients
- 450 grams 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 guajillo peppers stemmed and seeded (about 50 grams)
- ½ cup 60 grams chopped onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon 7 grams achiote paste
- 1 cup 240 ml pineapple juice
- ¼ chile morita stemmed and seeded (about 5 grams)
- 1 cup 240 ml canned pineapple chunks
- 1 lime juiced
- ¼ cup 15 grams chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon 15 grams kosher salt
Achiote paste:
- ¼ cup 25 grams annatto seeds
- ¼ cup 60 ml vinegar
- 1 garlic clove
- 3 whole cloves
- 20 whole black peppercorns
- ¼ teaspoon 1 gram ground cumin
Instructions
- Make the achiote paste: Blend all the achiote paste ingredients in a blender or food processor until you have a thick paste.
- Prepare the guajillo peppers: Clean the guajillo peppers by removing the stems and seeds. Then, place them in a pot and cover them with boiling water. Let them sit for about 15 minutes, or until they are softened.
- Blend the marinade: Drain the softened guajillo peppers and transfer them to a blender along with ¼ of the chile Morita, the rest of the marinade ingredients (except the chicken), and some of the cooking liquid from the pot. Blend everything until you have a smooth marinade.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or baking dish and pour the marinade over them. Cover the dish and refrigerate the chicken for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours.
- Cook the chicken: Preheat your oven or air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Arrange the marinated chicken breasts in a baking dish or air fryer basket. Bake or air fry the chicken for 20-25 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
- Serve: Slice the cooked chicken and serve it with the pineapple chunks, chopped onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
- Enjoy this delicious and flavorful Chipotle Chicken Al Pastor recipe!