Chicken tacoswith sauteed chayote - Extra large standard

Chicken Tacos with Sautéed Chayote

Zesty Radish Pico de Gallo & Seasoned Crema

660 cals

40 mins

Description

There’s a new vegetable that’s trending this season: chayote squash (pronounced “chah-yo-tay” or “chocho” for fun). This pear-shaped gourd makes a worthy complement to our spiced chicken tacos, offering a festive side! Crunchy and mild like an unripe pear, when cooked with garlic and zesty citrus, this squash has a mild, almost cucumber-like flavour. Add a pop of pink with a perky pico de gallo featuring tomato, radish and scallion and a dollop of zesty crema with pepitas to complete this tasty taco plate.

Contains:

Milk, Wheat

Ingredients

for 2 servings

(Double for 4 portions)

4 Chicken thighs (or 2 chicken breasts; or 4 bone-in chicken thighs; or 2 bone-in chicken legs; or 6 chicken drumsticks)
60g Radishes
1 Garlic clove
2 Scallions
1 Lime (or lemon)
1 Tomato
1 Chayote
25g Roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
60ml Crema
6 Wheat flour tortillas
8g Smoky Mexican Moment spice blend (smoked paprika, paprika, coriander, cumin, garlic flakes, oregano, black peppercorns, cloves, allspice, cinnamon)

Nutrition

Total fat	32g
Saturated Fat	10g
Sodium	670mg
Total carbs	51g
Sugar	8g
Protein	48g
Fibres	9g

Recipe Instructions

Step 1: Cook the chicken

In a large pan, heat a drizzle of oil on medium-high. Pat the chicken dry with paper towel; season with ½ the spice blend and S&P. Add the chicken thighs* to the pan and cook, partially covered, 4 to 6 minutes per side, until cooked through (if you received a different cut of chicken, find your alternate cooking method at www.makegoodfood.ca/chicken). Transfer to a cutting board, leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan. Reserve the pan. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before thinly slicing it against the grain.

Step 2: Mise en place

Preheat the oven to 450°F. While the chicken cooks, zest the lime. Juice ½ and quarter the remaining ½. Slice the radishes into rounds; place in a bowl of water. Small-dice the tomato. Peel and julienne the chayote; toss in a small bowl with a splash of the lime juice to prevent browning. Cut off and discard the root ends of the scallions; thinly slice, separating the white bottoms and green tops. Mince the garlic.

Step 3: Sauté the chayote

In the reserved pan of fond, heat a drizzle of oil on medium. Add the garlic and white bottoms of the scallions. Cook, stirring occasionally, 30 seconds to 1 minute, until fragrant. Add the chayote and ½ cup water (double for 4 portions); season with the remaining spice blend and S&P. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, 10 to 12 minutes, until tender. Transfer to a medium bowl and toss with as much of the lime zest as you’d like.

Step 4: Warm the tortillas

While the chayote cooks, stack the tortillas on a large piece of foil; tightly wrap the foil around the tortillas. Carefully place directly on the oven rack and bake, 6 to 8 minutes, until heated through. Keep wrapped until ready to serve.

Step 5: Make the pico de gallo & seasoned crema

While the tortillas warm, in a medium bowl, make the pico de gallo by combining the tomato, radishes (drain before adding), up to ½ the green tops of the scallions (to taste) and up to ½ the lime juice (to taste); season with S&P to taste. In a small bowl, combine the crema and as much of the remaining lime juice as you’d like; season with S&P to taste.

Step 6: Plate your dish

Divide the tortillas between your plates. Add the sliced chicken and sautéed chayote. Top with the pico de gallo. Garnish with the pepitas and as many remaining green tops of the scallions as you’d like. Serve the seasoned crema and lime wedges on the side. Bon appétit!