Charred Tomato and Chicken Tacos

This recipe comes via my dear friend Karen with a couple of my own twists (bell peppers & blackened chicken)  Worth the effort every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

A little nervous about blackening chicken?  Here is a great tutorial: http://www.thecookingdish.com/0312/how-to-blacken-chicken-or-fish/

Charred Tomato and Chicken Tacos

4 plum tomatoes, cored

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed of fat

1 Tbsp butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

2 teaspoons canola oil, divided

1 cup finely chopped white onion

2 clove garlic, minced

½ red bell pepper, chopped

1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced

2 teaspoons lime juice, plus lime wedges for garnish

2 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro

2 scallions, chopped

6 small corn tortillas, heated
Heat a medium skillet (cast iron if you are blackening your chicken) over high heat until very hot. Add tomatoes and cook, turning occasionally with tongs, until charred on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool slightly. Cut the tomatoes in half crosswise; squeeze to discard seeds. Remove cores and chop the remaining pulp and skin.
Cut chicken into 1/2 inch fillet; dredge the chicken in butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Heat pan over high heat until very hot. Add the chicken and cook3 -5  minutes per side and until it is not pink in the middle (it will smoke). Transfer to a plate; squeeze 1/2 lime over the top. Allow to cool 5-10 minutes.  Carefully cut chicken into 1/2 inch pieces.


Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil. Add onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and jalapeño and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add 2 teaspoons lime juice, the chicken and tomatoes. Cook, stirring, until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in cilantro and scallions. Divide the chicken mixture among tortillas. Serve with lime wedges and a generous helping of Cucumber Mango Salsa.
Serves 6



Cucumber Mango Salsa
1 mango, chopped
cucumber, seeded and chopped
Juice of ½ lime
¼ cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 tbsp cilantro
½ tsp salt
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix well. Enjoy!