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Pork (or Chicken) Tacos Cooked in Ancho Chile and Chile de Arbol

August 6, 2013 by Nancy Lopez-McHugh 57 Comments

Pork (or Chicken) Tacos Cooked in Ancho Chile and Chile de Arbol Recipe  by @SpicieFoodie |  #Mexican #pork  #chili #peppers #spicy #dinner

There is nothing quite like a taco to satisfy hunger. Tacos are one of the easiest Mexican foods everyone can prepare, and making an authentic meal from them is just as easy. Basically all one needs is the filling, some corn tortillas, a little chopped cilantro, finely chopped onions, lime or lemon slices, and your favorite salsa to give them an additional boost of flavour and spice. Simple enough, right?

Pork (or Chicken) Tacos Cooked in Ancho Chile and Chile de Arbol Recipe  by @SpicieFoodie |  #Mexican #pork  #chili #peppers #spicy #dinner

Tacos are a meal I love to cook because it takes minimal effort and time to prepare, perfect for the busy days of summer. Another wonderful benefit of taco nights is that leftovers can easily be transformed into an authentic Mexican taco feast. I’ll give you some pointers for turning leftovers into tacos another time, for now we’ll be working with fresh meat.

Pork (or Chicken) Tacos Cooked in Ancho Chile and Chile de Arbol Recipe  by @SpicieFoodie |  #Mexican #pork  #chili #peppers #spicy #dinner

For this taco night I used pork but chicken or turkey may also be used. I was craving tacos al pastor but didn’t have all the peppers and ingredients needed, so instead I created these. Also I was really craving a spicy meal so I opted for the chile de arbol, quite a spicy pepper. To give the meat more flavour I also added a ancho chile which gave a wonderful taste. Overall the tacos weren’t super spicy but spicy enough and quite satisfying.

Here is what the chiles I used look like and also where they can be purchased.

And now for the recipe

4.8 from 5 reviews
Pork (or Chicken) Tacos Cooked in Ancho Chile and Chile de Arbol
 
Print
Prep time
30 mins
Cook time
10 mins
Total time
40 mins
 
Make Taco Tuesdays authentic with this easy to follow taco recipe. Pork is marinaded in a spicy chile sauce for a delicious taco feast!
Author: SpicieFoodie.com & Nancy Lopez-McHugh
Recipe type: Lunch, Dinner, Tacos
Cuisine: Tacos, Mexican
Serves: Makes 12-14 Tacos
Ingredients
Taco Ingredients
  • 700 gms boneless pork cut into bite-size pieces, excess fat removed
  • 1 dried chile Ancho
  • 5 dried chiles de arbol
  • 1 medium tomato
  • 1 medium onion, peeled
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled
  • salt to taste
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, optional
  • olive oil or vegetable oil of choice
  • corn tortillas
Toppings:
  • finely chopped onion
  • chopped cilantro
  • lime or lemon wedges
  • your favorite salsa
Instructions
  1. Place pork pieces in a glass bowl and set aside. Bring a small pot of water to boil, add the dried chiles, tomato, garlic and onion and simmer over low heat. Allow the chiles to rehydrate before removing, the onion and tomato will take longer. After it has softened, remove the skin from the tomato. Place the soften onion, garlic, tomato and chiles in a blender. Add a little salt, the vinegar and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Pour the chile marinade over the pork, stir until well combined and refrigerate overnight or for at least 30 minutes.
  2. While the meat is marinading chop up the toppings. The next day, or after 30 minutes, heat some oil and cook marinated pork until cooked through. Serve with corn tortillas, finely chopped onion and cilantro, lime or lemon wedges and your favorite salsa.
Notes
-- I marinated the pork overnight but you can do a minimum of 30 minutes or longer.

-- Instead of pork, chicken or turkey may be used.

-- Chiles de arbol are very spicy, make milder by cutting down and adding another chile ancho -- which is very mild.

-- The sauce marinade tastes wonderful and it can also be used for other cooking purposes.
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If you’d like to make it a complete feast serve with my Mexican green beans recipe and wash it down with an agua fresca.

Pork (or Chicken) Tacos Cooked in Ancho Chile and Chile de Arbol Recipe  by @SpicieFoodie |  #Mexican #pork  #chili #peppers #spicy #dinner

Delicioso to the last bite!

Yellow Watermelon by @SpicieFoodie | #fruit #watermelon #yellow

For dessert we had this golden watermelon. When I saw it at the green grocers I was so intrigued to see a melon that look exactly like watermelon on the outside, and on the inside it was yellow instead of red. I was pleasantly surprised that it tasted exactly like the red variety.

 

Happy Tuesday amigos, I hope you make it a taco night tonight.

 

 

Yummy Pics: A Food Blogger's Guide to Better Photos, Photography eBook by Spicie Foodie

 

Filed Under: Chicken & Poultry, Mexican, Pork, Tacos

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Comments

  1. Rosa says

    August 6, 2013 at 10:16

    Tacos taste so good and yours look fabulous! A wonderful summer dish.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 00:14

      Thanks so much Rosa!

      Reply
  2. Monique says

    August 6, 2013 at 15:26

    I could pick one right off the screen..Super photos.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 00:14

      Thanks Monique!

      Reply
  3. Arthur in the Garden! says

    August 6, 2013 at 15:54

    OH, that looks wonderful!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 00:15

      Thank you Arthur!

      Reply
  4. Victoria of Flavors of the Sun says

    August 6, 2013 at 16:57

    Is there anything better than a taco–of any type? These look divine!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 00:15

      I think not, but I could be biased. Thanks Victoria:)

      Reply
  5. Ash- foodfashionparty says

    August 6, 2013 at 21:31

    Chicken tacos would be so good, love your clicks.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 00:15

      Thanks Ash, chicken would be a great variation.

      Reply
  6. Ramona says

    August 6, 2013 at 23:02

    All I can think right now is… I want that for dinner now!! You plate tacos beautifully…. I still have trouble making them look pretty on a plate.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 00:16

      I wish I could send you a few for your dinner. Thanks Ramona!:)

      Reply
  7. Monet says

    August 7, 2013 at 01:05

    I couldn’t agree more. I love a good taco and these look and sound HEAVENLY. Now to go to the store so I can create these at home! Thank you for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 02:09

      Glad you agree, Monet. Enjoy your tacos.:)

      Reply
  8. Ann @Foodie in WV says

    August 7, 2013 at 01:43

    Tacos are one of my favorite foods, love them! Your photos look beautiful :)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 02:09

      Glad to hear it, Ann. Thanks so much!:)

      Reply
  9. Joanne T Ferguson says

    August 7, 2013 at 02:37

    G’day and drool-worthy Nancy, true!
    Love Mexican chilis and your photos (as always) are STUNNING too!
    Cheers! Joanne

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 15:23

      Thanks so much Joanne!

      Reply
  10. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    August 7, 2013 at 05:03

    These tacos look mouth-watering, I love the flavors in your marinade!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 15:23

      Thank you Laura!

      Reply
  11. mjskit says

    August 7, 2013 at 05:51

    Oh goodie goodie! Another recipe with chile de arbol! Diaz Farms sent me 8 ounces so I have A LOT! I love the spicy marinade for the pork and all of your toppings, in fact I’m thinking that the paste I posted this week could be used in place of the dried peppers, speeding up the process even more. The flavors in this taco already have my mouth watering. Thanks for these great tacos!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 15:24

      Wow, that’s a lot of chilis! Yes I thin your chili paste would be wonderful for tacos. Enjoy and thanks, MJ!:)

      Reply
  12. Susan (Susonia.com) says

    August 7, 2013 at 07:05

    Funny, I just made braised ancho chicken (intended for tacos, but ended up on top of a salad) today. Your tacos look much better though! :)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 15:24

      Yummy, your salad sounds great. Thanks Susan!:)

      Reply
  13. Kumar's Kitchen says

    August 7, 2013 at 07:24

    spicy tacos with such a punch from the chile…excellent, scrumptious to the core :-)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 15:24

      Thanks so much Kumar!

      Reply
  14. Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says

    August 7, 2013 at 11:29

    Gorgeous tacos! Pinning it to my boards. And what a lovely dessert: golden melon!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 15:25

      Thanks so much Julia, I saw your pin too — much appreciated.:)

      Reply
  15. Deanna Segrave-Daly says

    August 7, 2013 at 12:23

    I love me some tacos and these look so amazingly good!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 15:25

      Glad to hear it Deanna, and thank you:)

      Reply
  16. Bill says

    August 7, 2013 at 13:27

    Hi Nancy, I never get tired of tacos and these look delicious! The chilis provide such great heat and flavor. Great post!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 15:26

      We are the same Bill. Thanks!:)

      Reply
  17. Gina says

    August 7, 2013 at 16:03

    Tacos are one of my favorite foods ever and I love the two types of peppers you used. I always thought your photos were amazing, but that one with you holding the taco, oh yeah. I’m slowly fighting back from my chaotic summer. I’m ready to start spending more time in the kitchen and tacos are up there at the top of the list. Hope you still have good weather there and that you are enjoying your summer.
    Hugs,
    -Gina-
    p.s. Your little star thing wouldn’t let me check five for some reason. This is totally five star.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 16:53

      I think it would be difficult to find someone that doesn’t like tacos. Thanks so much my sweet amiga.:) I’m glad you’re starting to make your way back from the chaos. Sorry about the star thingy, and thanks. Hugs back!:)

      Reply
  18. Amelia says

    August 7, 2013 at 17:16

    Hi Nancy, I love your tacos, it look extremely good. Thank you for sharing your awesome recipe. Excellent pictures. :)

    Have a nice day.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 21:09

      Hi Amelia! Thanks so much and you too have a great day.:)

      Reply
  19. john@kitchenriffs says

    August 7, 2013 at 19:01

    I love tacos! Any filling, hard shell or soft (though given my preference, soft, please). Nice flavor in these (although is it possible to have a taco that doesn’t have nice flavor? But these look exceptional). Good stuff – thanks.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 21:11

      Thanks John, hope you enjoy some tacos soon.

      Reply
  20. The Squishy Monster says

    August 7, 2013 at 21:22

    Dinner to dessert, yours looks like perfection. I’m so very intrigued by the golden watermelon now and I’m loooving your spiced pork, fabulous treatment!!!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 7, 2013 at 23:15

      Thanks, I hope you can find it. Though it tastes the same it was a fun food to eat.

      Reply
  21. Yelena says

    August 7, 2013 at 23:25

    I am so hungry now Nancy-)) Love spicy food! Golden watermelons are the best, I planted them in my garden this year, will see-))

    Hugs,

    Yelena

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 8, 2013 at 00:47

      I’m glad you love spicy food, Yelena. Can’t wait to see your homegrown watermelons. Thanks, hugs back:)

      Reply
  22. yummychunklet says

    August 7, 2013 at 23:28

    I love all the herbage you used!

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 8, 2013 at 00:48

      Thanks!:)

      Reply
  23. Marta @ What Should I eat for breakfast today says

    August 8, 2013 at 02:14

    I know that tacos are a meal but for me they look like a small cute sandwiches :)

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 8, 2013 at 22:39

      They are like sandwiches, thanks Marta.:)

      Reply
  24. My Kitchen Stories says

    August 8, 2013 at 04:09

    Nancy… I love your Mexican recipes. This will definitely be one I want to make . Well golden watermelon thats new to me. It looks like a cross between watermelon and another fruit???. What do you think?

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 8, 2013 at 22:40

      Thanks, Tania and I hope you do try them sometime. The watermelon was also new to me. But I’m not sure if it is a cross, the name at the shop was watermelon and it did taste just like regular red varieties. I’m not sure.

      Reply
  25. cquek says

    August 8, 2013 at 19:49

    It’s a beautiful dish

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 8, 2013 at 22:40

      Thank you!

      Reply
  26. Juliana says

    August 8, 2013 at 23:30

    Nancy, these tacos look delicious! I love the marinade…so flavorful!
    Awesome pictures…
    Hope you are having a fun week :D

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 9, 2013 at 00:04

      Thanks so much, Juliana. Have a great weekend:)

      Reply
  27. Sandra says

    August 8, 2013 at 23:41

    You could put Taco Bell out of business! I’ve had yellow watermelon and it is great.

    Reply
    • Spicie Foodie says

      August 9, 2013 at 00:05

      Lol! It seems to be rare from what I’ve gathered in the comments.

      Reply
  28. Christina @ The Hungry Australian says

    August 10, 2013 at 01:23

    I’ve been really loving Mexican food lately but haven’t cooked it much at home. Thanks for sharing these amazing looking tacos.

    Reply
  29. Theresa says

    August 28, 2013 at 01:46

    My husband sent me a link for these tacos and the are marinating as we speak! The marinade tasted great, can’t wait for him to get home so we can chow down!

    Cheers!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 49 Mexican Recipes For A Mexican Independence Day Fiesta | Spicie Foodie Authentic Mexican Recipes – Spicie Foodie ™ says:
    January 6, 2015 at 23:09

    […] Dishes: Pork (or Chicken) Tacos Cooked in Ancho Chile and Chile de Arbol Enfrijoladas de Pollo or Chicken Enfrijoladas Cochinita Pibil Sandwich Bistec en Salsa Roja (Steak […]

    Reply

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