Chicken Tomatillo Tostadas

Marthastewart.com

Ingredients

1 cup vegetable oil, for frying
6 to 12 small corn tortillas
Tomatillo Chicken*
Cabbage-Pepper Slaw**
Refried Black Beans***
Sour cream, for serving
Cilantro leaves, for serving
Cherry tomatoes, quartered, for serving
Grated queso fresco, for serving
Grated Monterey Jack cheese, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving

Directions

Heat vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer. Add tortillas to skillet, one at a time, and fry, turning once, until golden and crisp, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.

To serve, layer tostadas with chicken, slaw, and black beans. Garnish with sour cream, cilantro, tomatoes, queso fresco, and cheese. Serve with lime wedges.

*Tomatillo Chicken

ngredients

4 bone-in skin-on chicken breast halves
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 pounds tomatillos
2 serrano chiles
1/2 head garlic, unpeeled, cloves separated
1 large onion, quartered
2 small poblano peppers
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Juice of 2 limes, plus more if desired
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place chicken breast, skin side up, on a rimmed baking sheet; drizzle with olive oil and generously season with salt and pepper. Transfer to oven and bake for 40 minutes. (Chicken may not be cooked through.)

Remove from oven and let stand until cool enough to handle. Using your fingers or a fork, remove meat from bones and shred into large pieces; set meat aside, discarding bones.

Preheat broiler. Place tomatillos on a rimmed baking sheet. Place chiles, garlic, onion, and poblano peppers on another rimmed baking sheet. Transfer both baking sheets (one at a time, if necessary) to broiler and broil, turning once, until vegetables are charred and softened, about 10 minutes.

Transfer poblanos to a small bowl and cover with plastic wrap; let steam for 10 to 15 minutes. Let remaining vegetables cool slightly and peel garlic. Uncover poblanos and, using a paper towel, remove skins. Remove seeds and stems and coarsely chop. Transfer chopped poblanos to the jar of a blender along with tomatillos, chiles, garlic, onion, cilantro, cumin, and lime juice; blend until slightly smooth but a few chunks remain and season with salt and pepper.

Transfer pureed tomatillo mixture to a large saucepan and add reserved chicken; place over medium heat and simmer until chicken is no longer pink and completely warmed through. Season with salt and pepper and add more lime juice, if desired. Keep warm until ready to use.

**Cabbage Pepper Slaw

Ingredients

2 oranges
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 head red cabbage, thinly sliced on a mandoline
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, ribs removed, and julienned
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

Slice the top and bottom of both oranges with a paring knife. Set one of the flat sides on your work surface. From top to bottom, following the curve of the fruit, cut away peel and white pith. Trim off any remaining pith. Holding the orange over a bowl, cut along both sides of each segment, staying close to the membrane, to release. Repeat process with remaining orange; set segments aside.

In a large bowl whisk together vinegar and sugar until well combined. Slowly whisk in vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper. Add cabbage, pepper, orange segments, and cilantro; toss to coat. Keep slaw refrigerated until ready to use, up to 2 hours.

***Refried Black Beans

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 small onions, very finely chopped
1 dried bay leaf
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon chili powder
3 cans black beans, drained and rinsed

Directions

In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and bay leaf; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until onion is translucent, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and chili powder; cook, stirring, until garlic is softened and mixture is fragrant, about 3 minutes.

Remove bay leaf and discard. Add 2/3 of the black beans and stir to coat. Add 2/3 cup water and mash mixture using a potato masher. Add remaining black beans and stir to combine; add water, if necessary to thin. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm until ready to use.