Chicken Carnitas AKA Carnitas de Pollo

Just the title will get some people going. After all carnitas are pieces of fatty pork cooked in more fat...right? But to me carnitas are "little Mexican spiced up pieces of meat" so it fits... for me. With an infusion of great citrus flavor, you'll love this healthier version of carnitas.


Based on my own Healthier Pork Carnitas with Pork Tenderloin  , you can have a great Mexican meal on the table in less than an hour.

Rating:

This may be a little generous but I loved the citrus taste and the fall apart chicken. I did put it in my top picks.

Notes: It is not only the chicken that makes this a 5 but the veggies. Cooked in the same pan, you get all the great spices and citrus taste in you meal.

 Heat 1 T of oil in a large pan over medium high heat.

Trim and cut about 2 pounds of skinless boneless chicken breast (or thighs) into 1 to `1 1/2 inch cubes.

 Mix the chicken with 1 t kosher salt, 1 t paprika, 1 t cumin and 1/2 t pepper. Stir well to coat.

Add the chicken to the hot oil and stir occasionally until browning well. About 7 minutes. You do not need to cook completely just brown.

 While chicken is cooking, mince one jalapeno and two cloves of garlic.

After chicken is browned well (about 7 minutes) add the jalapeno and garlic and cook 2 more minutes.

 Add 1 - 14 oz can chicken broth and the juice of one orange and one lime.

Adjust the temperature to get a firm boil. Do not cover and do not stir. Just let it reduce to almost nothing. About 20 minutes. Your house will smell wonderful.

While the chicken is reducing, clean and slice one red pepper, one green pepper and a large onion.

When the pan is almost dry, move the chicken to a plate and cover with foil.

Add the veggies to the pan over medium high heat and cook until tender (about 7-8 minutes). Stir frequently and scrap some of the fond off the bottom of the pan. If needed add a couple of tablespoons of chicken broth for moisture.

Lots of great flavor here.

Chicken Carnitas AKA Carnitas de Pollo
By Dan Mikesell
October 19, 2013

Healthier version of carnitas infused with great citrus taste in less than one hour.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of skinless boneless chicken breast (or thighs)
• 1 t paprika
• 1 t cumin
• 1/2 t pepper
• 1 jalapeno
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 - 14 oz can chicken broth
• juice of one orange
• juice of one lime
• 1 green pepper
• 1 red pepper
• 1 large onion

Instructions

1. Heat 1 T of oil in a large pan over medium high heat.
2. Trim and cut about 2 pounds of skinless boneless chicken breast (or thighs) into 1 to `1 1/2 inch cubes.
3. Mix the chicken with 1 t kosher salt, 1 t paprika, 1 t cumin and 1/2 t pepper. Stir well to coat.
4. Add the chicken to the hot oil and stir occasionally until browning well. About 7 minutes. You do not need to cook completely just brown.
5. While chicken is cooking, mince one jalapeno and two cloves of garlic.
6. After chicken is browned well (about 7 minutes) add the jalapeno and garlic and cook 2 more minutes
7. Add 1 - 14 oz can chicken broth and the juice of one orange and one lime.
8. Adjust the temperature to get a firm boil. Do not cover and do not stir. Just let it reduce to almost nothing. About 20 minutes. Your house will smell wonderful.
9. While the chicken is reducing, clean and slice one red pepper, one green pepper and a large onion.
10. When the pan is almost dry, move the chicken to a plate and cover with foil.
11. Add the veggies to the pan over medium high heat and cook until tender (about 7-8 minutes). Stir frequently and scrap some of the fond off the bottom of the pan. If needed add a couple of tablespoons of chicken broth for moisture.

Yield:6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Updated
October 31 2013