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
- 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).
- Soak the chiles: Place chiles in a bowl and cover with hot water. Soak 15–20 minutes until softened. Reserve the soaking water.
- 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.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large pot, heat a little oil over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté until translucent.
- Season & sear chicken: Season chicken with cumin, oregano, cloves, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Add to the pot and sear until browned on all sides.
- 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.
- Shred chicken: Remove chicken, shred with two forks, then return to the pot. Simmer 10–15 minutes to meld flavors.
- 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