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Chicken Birria Tacos with crispy pan-fried corn tortillas stuffed with shredded birria chicken, topped with pico de gallo and cilantro, served with dipping consomé and lime wedges.

Chicken Birria Tacos Recipe


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  • Author: Aneta
  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 8 tacos (about 4 servings) 1x

Description

These Chicken Birria Tacos are crispy, saucy, and packed with smoky chile flavor—served with a rich, savory broth for dipping and all the fresh toppings.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken Birria

  • 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 dried guajillo chiles, seeds removed
  • 2 dried ancho chiles, seeds removed
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Adobo Sauce

  • Reserved chile soaking water (about 1/2 cup, plus more as needed)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

For Serving

  • Small corn tortillas
  • Chopped fresh cilantro
  • Diced red onions
  • Lime wedges

Instructions

  1. Toast the chiles: Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat. Toast guajillo and ancho chiles for 20–30 seconds per side until fragrant (don’t burn).
  2. Soak the chiles: Place chiles in a bowl and cover with hot water. Soak 15–20 minutes until softened. Reserve the soaking water.
  3. Blend the adobo: In a blender, combine softened chiles, garlic, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt, pepper, and about 1/2 cup reserved soaking water. Blend until smooth.
  4. Sauté aromatics: In a large pot, heat a little oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté until translucent.
  5. Season & sear chicken: Season chicken with cumin, oregano, cloves, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Add to the pot and sear until browned on all sides.
  6. Simmer: Pour in the adobo sauce and chicken broth. Stir well. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 30–40 minutes until chicken is tender and cooked through.
  7. Shred chicken: Remove chicken, shred with two forks, then return to the pot. Simmer 10–15 minutes to meld flavors.
  8. Assemble tacos: Warm corn tortillas until pliable. Fill with chicken birria, top with cilantro and diced onions, and serve with lime wedges.

Notes

  • Don’t over-toast the chiles—burnt chiles can taste bitter.
  • If the sauce is too thick to blend, add a little more reserved soaking water.
  • For extra-crispy tacos, warm tortillas in a skillet with a small drizzle of oil before filling.
  • Store leftovers with the broth so the chicken stays juicy.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop (Simmer + Sear)
  • Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 Chicken Birria Tacos (about 1/4 of recipe)
  • Calories: 520 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 820 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 40 g
  • Cholesterol: 165 mg