Shredded Chicken Tacos

When cooking, any home chef should be able to make last-minute adjustments to his/her menu. This weekend I had planned to make pork carnitas. I had bought a nice chunk of pork shoulder on Thursday along with all the accouterments. When I took out the pork from the fridge yesterday to let it get to room temp before cooking, I noticed something funny. Rather, I smelled something funny. My beautiful cut of pork smelled...well, funky. Perhaps I was too optimistic in thinking that I could keep the meat refrigerated for four days without it going bad. Was I crazy to think this?

Having to scrap my idea of making carnitas, along with my beautiful pork shoulder (the marbling was superb), I had to think of a plan B. I still wanted to keep with the Mexican theme so I took out some chicken breasts from the freezer to defrost and went searching for a chicken taco recipe that would use ingredients I already had at home (it was a lazy weekend. Didn't even feel like leaving my cozy apartment). 

I came across this recipe that fit the bill. I made one big adjustment to it though. Instead of frying the chicken breasts, I decided to poach them using this as a guide. As a result, I did not use one drop of oil in the entire recipe. The only fat came from the avocado and the tortilla. Even though this was a very low fat meal, it was full of flavor. I am definitely going to make this recipe again.

Happy cooking! 

Comments

[Steve]

Bummer about the pork shoulder. It should hold well in your fridge as long as it's cold enough ( should be around 38 degrees, might want to check with a thermometer), perhaps it was a bit old when you bought it. Anyway, nice pivot with the chicken!

[Dalal]

Oh, my, sounds delicious. My mouth is watering.

[Richard]

These look great! Buzzed!

[steph]

To bad about the pork, but it looks like you came up with some incredible chicken tacos!

[Jen at The Three Little Piglets]

I always hate it when I get distracted and let meat go bad - especially if it's one I was really looking forward to! At least your plan B turned out great!

[elizabeth]

Maybe the pork shoulder was on the older side? That really stinks--but it always serves as a good lesson in being adaptable.

Your last-minute switch certainly looks delicious!

[[email protected]]

Been there done that with the meat. I have a bad habit of thinking I'll get to something then when I do, it's too late. So I feel for you there. but you obviously did a wonderful job of mid game change of plans! These look yummy!

[Susie]

This looks delicious.... I love the large slices of avocado. Nice improv with the chicken. I double check dates on all meat I buy as I have been burned a few times by not checking. If I'm buying a big piece of meat I usually go to the butcher and get it the day before just to be safe.

[Emily @ Life on Food]

I have left meat in the fridge probably a day to long a few times and it is always so sad.

[Peggy]

It's always a bummer when we have to scrap a meal for a mishap - but these chicken tacos sound even better!

[Hillary]

Hi, Alina
I wonder why I could never succeed making this shredded chicken tacos.
How did you do it? I'll try again for sure and this time I'll refer to your recipe as my guide :)
Thanks also for the tempting food photos. Looks like they were made by professional. Have you ever heard about food photography site called http://www.foodporn.net ?
Your pics should be on the Food Porn home page, that's for sure!

[Lisa @ Snappy Gourmet]

Just stumbled upon your blog and ironically I bought a large pork shoulder a few weeks ago and same thing happened! Took it out and it smelled horrible! When I looked at the tag on the meat, turns out the store sold it past the date. Ugh! But your chicken tacos look delish!