Grilled Chicken Tostadas

By sheilaolim

This dish gives a Southwestern accent to the American summertime classic, grilled chicken. For more intensity, pickle the onions overnight. Achiote paste is made in part from ground annatto seed. It is a deep red, mildly spicy seasoning; you can find it at large supermarkets or Latin grocery stores.

Nutritional Information
Calories:314 (24% from fat)
Fat:8.3g (sat 2.5g,mono 3.2g,poly 1.3g)
Protein:33g
Carbohydrate:27g
Fiber:3.7g
Cholesterol:76mg
Iron:1.6mg
Sodium:213mg
Calcium:141mg

Ingredients

• Pickled Onions:
• 4 cups thinly sliced red onion (about 1 large)
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 medium orange)
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• Chicken:
• 2 garlic cloves, unpeeled
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 medium orange)
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons achiote paste, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• Remaining ingredients:
• Cooking spray
• 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• 2 cups shredded leaf lettuce
• 3/4 cup chopped peeled avocado
• 3/4 cup crumbled queso fresco cheese
• Pickled jalapeño pepper slices (optional)
• Reduced-fat sour cream (optional)
• Cilantro leaves (optional)

Details

Servings 6

Preparation

Step 1

1. To prepare pickled onions, combine onion and 2 cups boiling water in a large bowl. Cover and let stand 15 minutes; drain. Add 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/2 cup vinegar, and 1/8 teaspoon salt to onions. Cover and chill at least 2 hours.

2. To prepare chicken, heat a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic to pan; cook 7 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Remove garlic from pan; peel and mash. Combine garlic, 1/2 cup orange juice, and the next 7 ingredients (through pepper) in a large zip-top plastic bag. Seal bag, and shake vigorously to dissolve achiote paste. Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap, and pound to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or small heavy skillet. Add chicken to bag, and seal and marinate in refrigerator for 30 minutes, turning bag occasionally.

3. Prepare grill.

4. Remove chicken from bag; discard marinade. Place chicken on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 5 minutes on each side or until done. Let stand 15 minutes. Shred with 2 forks.

5. Lightly coat tortillas on each side with cooking spray. Place tortillas on grill rack; grill 2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned.

6. Arrange 2 tortillas, overlapping halfway, on each of 6 plates. Top each serving with about 1/2 cup chicken mixture and about 1/2 cup pickled onions. Drizzle evenly with vinegar mixture. Top each serving with 1/3 cup lettuce, 2 tablespoons avocado, and 2 tablespoons cheese. Garnish with jalapeños, sour cream, and cilantro, if desired.