Quick Mexican Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe With Only 6 Powerful Ingredients

Last Updated on January 23, 2022 by

This Mexican Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe is easy to follow and great for beginner cooks learning how to make authentic Mexican food. Chicken thighs are quick-cooking meat that works great in many dishes! It is hard to go wrong when making chicken, especially because of how versatile it is.

Listed below is a recipe that you can also modify to create chipotle chicken things. It serves approximately six people, but you can always double the amount of ingredients to have enough for large groups of people.

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What Is Mexican Braised Chicken Thighs?

Mexican Braised Chicken thighs are chicken thighs cooked in a thick mixture that hold a lot of flavors. While it is common to see chicken thighs shredded for tacos and enchiladas, there are various dishes that use whole chicken thighs.

Chicken thighs are thick and dark meat. The biggest difference between this Mexican recipe and other Chicken thigh recipes is the method of cooking. This type of chicken thigh is cooked using powerful, but minimal ingredients.  Braising meat is a long process but is worth it. During this process, you cook the meat on low heat in a tight container or pot. It is a slow burn which allows the flavors and seasonings to penetrate the meat fully.

How Do You Eat Spicy Braised Chicken Thighs?

The possibilities are endless when it comes to eating braised chicken thighs! The most common way to eat braised chicken thighs though is by shredding the meat. After you shred the meat, you can then eat the meat with white or corn flour tortillas.

Although the chicken thigh is delicious alone, you can also add toppings and sides. This type of meat is a delicious addition next to yellow Mexican rice and authentic refried pinto beans. You can mix all the foods together on one plate, or keep them separate. For toppings, cheese, salsas, and vegetables are great on top of the chickens’ thighs. In this Mexican Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe, there will be an optional ingredients section for toppings.

What You Will Need To Cook This Mexican Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe

Ingredients

• 2lbs of Chicken Thighs
• 1 1/2 Cup of Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp. of Vegetable Oil
• 1 Yellow Onion. While yellow onions are common in this dish, you can substitute for red onions to bring a savory flavor and a pop of color. Some yellow onions are sweet.

• 2 Garlic Cloves
• 1 tbsp. of Chili Pepper Flakes
• 2 Tomatoes- diced. Although fresh tomatoes have a fresher and natural flavor, you can substitute fresh tomatoes with diced tomatoes in a can. You can use two cans of 8 ounces of diced tomatoes in this Mexican Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe. While there are whole tomatoes in a can, they are harder to cut. The flavor though should be the same.

• 1 Can of Chili Peppers
• 1 tsp. of Cumin

Equipment

• Large Skillet
• Cutting Board
• Knife
• Oven
• Stovetop. Although the oven does a wonderful job of cooking this recipe, you can also use a crockpot or pressure cooker! This way, you won’t have to constantly stir and watch as the recipe cooks. However, not everyone has access to a pressure cooker or crockpot.

• Ziploc Bag
• Stirring Spoon
• Glass baking pan

Optional Toppings

• Salsa Verde
• Salsa Roja
• Pico De Gallo
• Queso Crema
• Shredded Mexican Cheese
• Lime Green Salsa

Step by Step Instructions On How To Make A Delicious Mexican Chipotle Chicken Thighs Recipe

Step 1: Cut and Marinate the Chicken Overnight

To get the best flavors, I recommend marinating the chicken overnight. During this first step, you can cut the chicken into your preferred sections. You can cut the chicken so it is great for stews and larger meals. It is also possible to shred the meat for tacos and enchiladas.

In a Ziploc bag, add the powder ingredients and one tomato diced. Place this bag in the fridge overnight or for a minimum of two hours before you begin cooking. This will ensure that the flavors will mix and work their way into all the chicken. It creates a uniform taste.

Step 2: Cut the Vegetables and Simmer in Oil

Cut the remainder of the vegetables and simmer it in the skillet with half of the olive oil. The onions and garlic should brown before you move on to the next step. Move it around with the cooking spoon.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken Thighs in the Skillet

In the third step of this Mexican Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe, you should cook the chicken thighs for approximately 15-20 minutes on the stovetop. The only way to check for sure that the chicken is done is to use a thermometer to read the temperature.

Step 4: Bake the Chicken Thighs

Our Mexican Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe calls for baking the Chicken thighs with the rest of the ingredients. Bake the ingredients in stone glassware for approximately 1 hour at 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Add any sauces and toppings you would like as it bakes. Slightly cool before serving.

Tips and Tricks on Cooking Chicken Thighs

This Mexican Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe is relatively easy to follow, however, there are a few tips and tricks you can try to make the process smoother. For instance, chicken thigh meat can be dry, to replenish moisture, marinate in a thick and liquid mixture in the fridge. When making the marinade, you can also add cut-up fresh vegetables like garlic and onion for more flavor.

You can also use a crockpot instead of an oven for this Mexican Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe. The crockpot requires less mess and energy. However,  it does take longer as the meat cooks and braises for hours.

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Servings and Preparation Time

All in all, this Mexican Braised Chicken Thighs Recipe is a treat for lovers of authentic Mexican food. The chicken thigh meat is versatile and you can eat it with just about any side you cook! What do you think of this recipe? Let us know in the comment section below and feel free to share this recipe with loved ones!

Casia Valdés

Casia is a passionate home cook who loves to share her love of Mexican food with the world. She has been cooking since she was a child, helping her grandmother in the kitchen and learning the traditional techniques used to create delicious Mexican dishes. Casia loves to experiment with new ingredients and flavors, always looking for ways to make her dishes even more flavorful. She is also passionate about teaching others about Mexican cuisine and its rich history. When she is not in the kitchen, Casia enjoys exploring new cultures, traveling, and spending time with her family.