Tinga Poblana with Chicken

Last night I tried a new recipe.. I love Mexican food and this one was great and easy to make.  You can make it ahead of time and assemble and heat.  It is great for leftovers and I think it will probably freeze well.  Had a bit in my eggs this am.. yummy.

Tinga Poblana with Chicken

8 chicken thighs

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper
4 cloves garlic, 2 cloves slightly smashed and 2 cloves finely chopped
8 ripe, whole Roma tomatoes or 2 cans (141/2 oz chopped & drained)
4 cups chicken stock
4 chipotle chiles + 2 Tablespoons sauce
1/2 - 1 pound good-quality chorizo
1 white onion (1/2 cut in chunks and 1/2 finely chopped)
6 red potatoes, diced
2 Bay leaves

1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon Mexican oregano (not Greek)
1 large avocado, peeled, pitted and thinly sliced
1 cup crumbled Mexican queso fresco or feta cheese

Place chicken in a stockpot and add water to cover. Add salt, pepper  onion chunks and smashed garlic . Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook for about 20 minutes. If possible, let the chicken cool in the water.

When chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the skin and coarsely shred the meat. Set aside.

Heat a saute pan over high heat and add the tomatoes (no oil). Blister and char the tomatoes all sides. Turn off heat and add chicken stock and chipotles. Allow to cool. Pour into a blender and puree until smooth. Set aside.

Place the chorizo and onions in a stockpot and cook over medium heat. When the chorizo has released some oil, add the diced potatoes.

Reduce heat to low and cook until the potatoes have browned and gotten a little tender. Add cumin, pepper, oregano,bay leaves the shredded chicken and the pureed tomato mixture. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add salt to taste.

To serve, scoop into deep bowls and top with avocado diced onion and cheese. Serve with corn tortillas and Mexican beer.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Approximate values per serving: 557 calories, 35 g fat, 125 mg cholesterol, 35 g protein, 26 g carbohydrates, 5 g fiber, 1,351 mg sodium, 56 percent calories from fat.