
Ancho Orange Chicken Tacos with Epazote Pinto Beans and Crunchy Jicama Cucumber Slaw
Original Mexican-style tacos featuring chicken marinated with ancho chile and orange, served on corn tortillas with epazote-simmered pinto beans and a fresh jicama, cucumber, and lime slaw. A vibrant recipe with smoky, citrusy, and crisp contrasts.
Ingredients
- 500 g chicken breast, cut into strips (skinless ni hueso)
- 20 g dried ancho chile (without semillas)
- 120 ml orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 12 g garlic (2 cloves for the adobo and 1 for the frijoles)
- 2 g ground cumin (divided)
- 1 g dried oregano
- 8 g salt (divided or to taste)
- 1 g black pepper
- 30 ml vegetable oil (divided)
- 400 g cooked pinto beans (with a poco of su líquido)
- 5 g fresh epazote (chopped)
- 120 g white onion (finely chopped, divided)
- 180 g jicama (en juliana fina)
- 150 g cucumber (en juliana fina)
- 15 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 45 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 10 g honey
- 12 pieces corn tortillas (tamaño taco)
- 60 g crumbled queso fresco (for servir)
- 80 g radishes (sliced finas, for servir)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Heat a small skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes. Toast the ancho chiles for 10 to 15 seconds per side, making sure they do not burn. Transfer them to a bowl, cover with hot water, and let them soak for 10 minutes.
- 2
2. Blend the soaked chiles with the orange juice, 2 garlic cloves, half of the white onion, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, the cumin, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- 3
3. Place the chicken in a bowl and coat it with the marinade. Let it rest for 10 minutes while you prepare the remaining components.
- 4
4. For the beans, heat 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté the remaining garlic and the remaining white onion for 3 minutes. Add the cooked pinto beans, epazote, 60 ml (1/4 cup) water, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook for 8 minutes, lightly mashing some of the beans so they become creamy.
- 5
5. In a separate bowl, combine the jicama, cucumber, cilantro, lime juice, honey, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Toss well and set the crunchy slaw aside.
- 6
6. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil and cook the marinated chicken for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often, until fully cooked and lightly caramelized.
- 7
7. Warm the corn tortillas on the griddle for 30 seconds per side until pliable and hot. If desired, keep them wrapped in a clean towel.
- 8
8. To serve, spread a spoonful of epazote beans on each tortilla, add the ancho orange chicken, then finish with the jicama cucumber slaw, queso fresco, and radishes. Serve immediately.
Chef tips
For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken for 30 minutes in the refrigerator. For extra heat, add 1 dried árbol chile to the marinade.
Substitutions
You can substitute the chicken breast with boneless chicken thighs. Queso fresco can be replaced with mild cotija, or omitted for a dairy-free version. If you cannot find epazote, use a small amount of extra cilantro in the beans.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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