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Healthy Chicken Carnitas Recipe

Every crispy bit of this healthy chicken carnitas recipe is worth devouring. It's effortless to throw things together, and perfect to add a bit of variety to your regular weeknight meals.
  • cook TIME 35 mins
  • prep TIME 10 mins
  • total TIME 1 hr 20 mins
  • INACTIVE TIME 35 mins
Course: Main CourseCuisine: Mexican
Keyword: carnitas chicken, chicken carnitas, chicken carnitas recipe
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 494 kcal

Ingredients (17)

  • 16 oz skinless boneless chicken thigh
  • 4 oz sweet corn
  • 4 oz canned black beans
  • 4 oz baby tomatoes chopped in half
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 oz jalapeno chopped
  • 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil divided
  • 3 cup cooked medium-grain rice equals to 1 cup uncooked
  • 1/4 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp white wine vinegar
  • Side together with guacamole in one plate.

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep

1

Marinate 16 oz chicken thighs with 1/4 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp cumin, 1 tsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp ground black pepper, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp white wine vinegar, and 1 tbsp of olive oil. Toss to combine.

chicken thighs and seasoning on a plate
2

Let the chicken sit for 30 minutes.

marinate chicken thighs on a plate

Cook

1

On a cast-iron skillet, heat 1 1/2 tbsp of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken thighs in.

2

Fry the first side of the chicken for 10 minutes, and the second side for 8 minutes. Remove from heat.

cooking chicken thighs in a skillet
3

Transfer the fried chicken thighs onto a cutting board, let them cool down for 5 minutes.

4

Slice the fried chicken meat in thick strips.

slices chicken thigh on a cutting board
5

Assemble the chicken strips on a large plate (can also put them on a shallow skillet if you don’t have any plate large enough) together with 3 cups hot cooked rice, 4 oz black beans, 4 oz sweet corn, 4 oz baby tomatoes, and 1/2 cup Greek yogurt.

corn, dressing, half tomatoes and cooked chicken
6

Add guacamole together onto the plate to side along.

7

Sprinkle 1 oz chopped jalapeno on top. Serve immediately.

a plate of cooked chicken carnitas, half tomatoes, slices jalapeno, corn and dressing on a plate

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 494 kcal | Fat 16 g | Saturated Fat 3 g | Trans Fat 1 g | Polyunsaturated Fat 2 g | Monounsaturated Fat 9 g | Cholesterol 111 mg | Sodium 472 mg | Potassium 616 mg | Carbohydrate 55 g | Fiber 4 g | Sugar 4 g | Protein 32 g | Vitamin A 657 IU | Vitamin C 16 mg | Calcium 63 mg | Iron 4 mg