Guatamalan Pollo en Peppian Tacos (Chicken Tacos with Pumpkin Seed Sauce)


Makes 20 tacos

INGREDIENTS

2 cups water
1 chicken breast, skinless
2 chicken thighs, skinless
2 chicken legs, skinless
½ large white onion (half reserved), chopped
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup green pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
2 whole allspice berries
3 cloves
2 black peppercorns
1 pound tomatillos, cut in quarters
3 fresh serrano chilies, chopped
3 cloves garlic
1 poblano pepper, chopped
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 cups chicken stock, reserved from poaching chicken
Tortillas, for serving

DIRECTIONS

In a medium saucepan over medium high heat, add water, chicken, half the white onion, black pepper and allspice and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 20 minutes. Transfer chicken to a bowl and reserve liquid. After chicken has cooled, shred chicken with a fork removing from the bone and set aside. Preheat oven to broil. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, place the pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, cumin seeds, allspice berries, cloves, peppercorns, tomatillos, serrano chilies, garlic, and poblano peppers, and broil, about 3-4 minutes or until the pumpkin seeds start to char. Remove from oven and place in a blender with the cilantro leaves and chicken stock, blend until smooth. Mix in with chicken and serve with warm tortillas.