Chicken Tacos with Rotisserie Chicken -- Bad Idea?

[Oliverstreet]

I'm hosting a taco party and want a quick, easy, chicken option. I was contemplating shredding a rotisserie chicken and serviing it with the other toppings (onions, queso fresco, peppers, etc). Will store-bought (Whole Foods) rotisserie chicken just be too flavorless? Or is there another easy make-ahead chicken taco method someone can suggest?

[rcallner]

Just made chicken/mushroom enchiladas for 8 last night that were very well-received. For such types of chicken meat filler, I prefer chicken thighs, which I place in a large saucepan and poach in chicken broth. Add herbs if you like, but the more flavorful thigh meat, enhanced by the broth, gives you an intense chicken base with very little effort. I strain the broth when it cools, (saving the enhanced broth for another use), don my trusty surgical gloves, and pull the meat apart, trying to practice discipline and avoid snacking on so much of the meat the dish is left short.

Works with skinless/boneless or, bone-in skin-on - the latter extraneous bits are easily pulled away when it's cooked and cooled.

[foxy fairy]

This chile sauce will transform your tacos into showstoppers. Really, it's delightful.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/rec...

[Amanita]

Sounds fine to me. In fact, you've just given me a meal idea. But I have plenty of time, so I'll buy a whole chick and cook it till it's falling off the bones. I like the dark meat, too. The small pieces of brown meat on the back of the chicken carcass are called "sot l'y laisse" in French: "a fool leaves them there" (on the carcass). Now where am I going to find tortillas in Paris? Easily?

[Amanita]

Ended up with Turkish flatbread. Corn hard to come by here.

[donali]

Not exactly a gourmet recipe, but easy and flavorful. Place boneless, skinless chicken breast (and/or thighs) in a slow cooker with a jar of salsa verde overnight (or a long time) on low until the chicken shreds into the sauce.

[chelleyd01]

The heat index is over 100 degrees in most of the US. Rock out the rotisseries. Add some extra chipotles, cilantro, cumin, or even a spicy taco packet. Hit it with some garlic and a nice squeeze of lime. If your really desperate, add a can of original Rotel tomatoes.

Pico, cojita cheese, guac, crema, roasted fresh summer tomatoes, maybe even some grilled peppers and onions to add a fajita touch. Don't forget a vat of margarita!

[Veggo]

Nice selections - your attitude is even better!

[bigjeff]

what happened to good ol' adobo? a little bit of the magic orange powder goes a long way towards color and taste, esp. with what you're preparing here.

[wayne keyser]

Yeah, you could.

But just as easy (yes you cook but no you don't have to de-bone rotisserie chickens) would be to cut bomeless breast halves in 1/4 (approx) lengthwise, quick cook in hot skillet, and when half done (or so) add a splash of bottled Goya marinade ("Mojo Criollo" or, for hot-spicy, "Mojo Chipotle" - there are other brands), cover a couple of minutes, trhen uncover and reduce.

Let cool a bit, then slice or shed as desired.

If you're in the Hispanic section, look in the cooler for selections of white cheese and Hispanic-style sour cream ("crema"), both of which taste better on a taco than the cheddar and sour cream that we associate with "Taco Bell"-style tacos.

[Jennalynn]

For my fabulous (if I do say so myself) Tarragon Chicken Salad, I buy the frozen boneless skinless breasts and poach them. I add garlic/tarragon to the poaching liquid and it tastes great. And it's FAST. You don't even have to thaw them first.

No reason you couldn't poach using any spices you want.

Also because you're controlling the cook time, you can be assured they won't be dried out.

I sometimes find the rotisserie chicken is great for dark meat, but the breast is dry dry dry.

[foxy fairy]

I bake boneless skinless breasts in cream or milk/cream for about 30 mins at 350. This suggestion changed my chicken-cooking life, courtesy of a hound who had spotted it in The New Basics. Chicken is moist, just divine every time.

I also like grilled chicken for tacos. Yum.

[BellaDonna]

What I don't understand is why take the easy way out. You are having a taco tasting party...not a quick cook party. The rotisserie chicken will be fine; however, if you want to ooh and aah your guests...spend a few extra minutes and do it right.

[CRHtoo]

Totally a smart time saving idea. However, I do not share Gail's notion that you should limit yourself to chicken breasts. Whole Foods rotisserie chicken is great--pull it off the bones with your hands, mixing the dark and light meat! Of course you'll be using fresh, hot (steamed) corn tortillas, won't you?

[Gail]

crhtoo, I was focused on the OP's "quick and easy". It takes time to defat, deskin and go through all the small bones, etc. Usually I prefer dark meat because it's less dry, but with the salsas, etc that is not an issue.

[mojoeater]

I like the rotisserie idea. Definitely have a variety of sauces - hot, mild, green, red, etc.

[ricepad]

Go ahead and get the chicken. Taste it, and if it's too bland, you can simply saute the shredded meat with some additional seasonings...cumin, garlic, chile powder....until it tastes the way you like it.

[Gail]

If possible, I would buy pre cooked chick breasts to make it easier. I shred them, and since they are cooked, I add Lawrys Taco seasoning with a bit of broth or water and heat slowly until liquid has nearly disappeared. You could do a taco bar and let people make their own by setting out all sort of filling options. I would buy several salsas and pico de gallo...you know the rest.

[oakjoan]

I wouldn't re-cook the already cooked chicken. It somehow always tastes worse. Just toss it with some seasonings and serve with lots of good stuff - guac., shredded lettuce, cilantro, chopped onions, salsa, beans, cheese, blablahblahblah.