Chicken Carnitas
Chicken Carnitas are a flavorful Mexican dish that embodies the essence of comfort food. Tender, juicy chicken is slow-cooked with a blend of aromatic spices and citrus, resulting in a deliciously savory meal that’s perfect for tacos, burritos, or simply served with rice. This recipe guarantees restaurant-quality results at home, making it an ideal choice for weeknight dinners or festive gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Slow-cooking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 large sweet onion, chopped
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
Instructions
- 1. Prep ingredients: Mince the garlic and chop the onion.
- 2. Sear chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken until golden brown on both sides (about 5 minutes each).
- 3. Add aromatics: Stir in chopped onion and garlic; cook until fragrant (about 2 minutes).
- 4. Combine flavors: Pour in orange juice, lime juice, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper; stir well.
- 5. Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-40 minutes until chicken is tender.
- 6. Shred & serve: Remove chicken from heat and shred using two forks right in the skillet; mix well before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: For extra flavor, try adding a dash of smoked paprika or fresh cilantro. You can use pork or beef instead of chicken if you prefer. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to four days and reheated over low heat.