Chicken Green Chile Tacos

Ingredients

serves Serves 4 to 6, active time 30 minutes, total time 1 1/2 hours

• 2 green chiles, preferably Hatch or Anaheim (see note above)
• 2 medium tomatillos, husks removed, split in half
• 1 small yellow onion, peeled and split in half
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 limes
• 2 pounds chicken thighs (bone in and skin on)
• 1 small white onion, minced
• 16 to 24 warm corn tortillas
• 1 batch pickled red onions
• 1/2 cup grated queso cotija or jack cheese
• 1 avocado, sliced

Procedures

1. Preheat broiler to high and adjust broiler rack to 5 - 6 inches below heating element. Toss peppers, tomatillos, yellow onion, and garlic in a medium bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Place on a foil lined rimmed baking sheet and broil until vegetables are completely tender and charred on all sides, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes total. Peel peppers and remove stems and seeds when cool enough to handle. Transfer vegetables to a food processor or blender with half of the cilantro and process on high speed until smooth. Add 2 tablespoons lime juice from about 2 of the limes, season to taste with salt, and set aside.
   
2. While vegetables broil, heat remaining oil in a Dutch oven over high heat until shimmering. Add chicken pieces skin side-down and cook without moving until well browned, about 6 minutes. Flip and brown second side, about 3 minutes longer. Remove to a plate and set aside. Pour off excess fat and deglaze dutch oven with 1 cup water, scraping up browned bits from bottom.
   
3. When vegetable puree has been made, transfer to the Dutch oven and stir with the water to combine. Nestle the chicken pieces into it. Bring to a boil, reduce to a bare simmer, cover, and cook until chicken is completely tender, about 30 minutes. Remove chicken from sauce and place on a plate to cool.
   
4. When chicken is cool enough to handle, discard skin and bones and shred meat into bite-sized pieces. Return meat to sauce and bring to a simmer. Cook until thick and saucy, then season to taste with salt and pepper if desired.
   
5. Combine white onion and remaining cilantro in a bowl. Serve chicken wit warm tortillas, onion and cilantro mixture, pickled onions, cheese, and avocado.