Nopales Stuffed Chicken Recipes

POLLO CON NOPALES (CHICKEN AND CACTUS)

Steps:

• Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil. Cook the chicken breasts in the boiling water until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 10 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Drain and set aside to cool. Once cool, shred the chicken into small strands.
• Fill the pot again with water and bring to a boil. Cook the tomatillos, jalapeno peppers, and nopales in the boiling water until the vegetables are all tender, about 5 minutes. Drain.
• Blend the tomatillos and jalapeno peppers in a blender until smooth; pour into the pot with the shredded chicken and place over medium heat. Cut the nopales into small dice and add to the mixture. Allow the mixture to simmer until completely reheated, about 5 minutes.

CHICKEN NOPALES TACOS WITH CHIPOTLE

Steps:

• In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Stir in onion and garlic; cook and stir about 5 minutes or until onion is tender.
• Stir in nopales, chicken, salsa and adobo sauce. Cook and stir about 3 minutes or until mixture is hot. Stir in cilantro.
• Spoon about 1/3 cup chicken mixture onto each tortilla. Roll up tortillas.

CHICKEN, GREEN SALSA AND NOPALES RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat heavy extra-large skillet or Dutch oven on medium heat. Add chicken, in batches; cook 3 min. on each side or until browned on both sides. Remove from skillet; cover to keep warm.
• Add cactus to skillet; cook and stir 3 min. or until crisp-tender. Stir in salsa; bring to boil. Add chicken; simmer on medium-low heat 30 min. or until done (165ºF). Remove from heat; stir in bacon and cilantro.
• Serve topped with sour cream.

CHICKEN MIXIOTES WITH NOPALES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat and cook the tomatillos, onion, garlic.
• Add the chiles and cook a few minutes on low heat, being careful not to burn them.
• Add the spices, pour the orange juice, cook for 2 minutes to soften the peppers, season with salt. Cool slightly.
• Blend the previous preparation until a thick sauce is obtained.
• In a bowl add the chicken pieces, pour the sauce, and mix.
• On a sheet of aluminum foil place an avocado leaf on top, then the piece of chicken, some nopales, and close.
• Place the mixiotes on the steam rack and cook for 90 minutes.

CHEESE STUFFED BREADED FRIED NOPALES (CACTUS PADDLES)

Steps:

• Mix first 3 ingredients and place this mixture betwen two nopal slices. You can also use just one slice, spreading filling on one side, rolling it and securing ends with a toothpick.
• Pass through beaten egg and then through bread crumbs.
• Fry in hot oil and serve.

NOPALES-STUFFED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the stuffing: In a medium saute pan over medium heat, add the olive oil, cactus, onions, garlic and salt and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables sweat, about 5 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring often, until the onions are fully cooked, 5 to 7 minutes longer; set aside.
• For the chicken: Place about 2 tablespoons of the cactus stuffing on one side of each chicken breast. If you have remaining stuffing, reserve it for garnish. Top with the cheese. Using a brush, coat the edges of the chicken breasts with the egg and fold over the chicken to close.
• Heat a saute pan over medium-high heat and add the canola oil. Season the chicken breasts with the salt and pepper. Carefully place each stuffed breast in the hot pan. Cook each side until seared and a nice crust forms, about 3 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a sheet pan and bake until the internal temperature is 165 degrees F, about 25 minutes.
• For the sauce: Reduce the heat to low under the saute pan that was used for the chicken. Add the cumin, coriander and paprika and cook, stirring, until toasted, for a minute or two, taking care not to burn the spices-add a little oil to the pan if it looks dry. Add the lime zest and juice and cook, stirring, until the juice has reduced. Very carefully add the tequila; it may ignite, but not for too long. Stir in the chicken stock, salt and pepper; lower the heat and cook until reduced, about 10 minutes.
• Place the chicken in a serving dish, cover with the sauce and garnish with any reserved cactus stuffing and chopped fresh parsley.