After seeing BJ's enLIGHTened menu, and questioning what exactly barbacoa was (turns out it is a style of Mexican cooking that slow cooks with certain seasonings), I thought it sounded delicious, ordered it on whim, and instantly fell in love. Me being a bit of a health nut could not believe all this flavor was packed and paired into a healthy plate! I thought this was a great way to incorporate a big change of taste to my meal prepping and instantly did all I could to figure out this recipe as it seems hidden on the internet. After many useless google search results of every combination of words with barbacoa chicken and BJ's I decided I would just have to make my own recipe using a combination of different techniques I researched. And I DO NOT regret it! You will love this amazing flavorful zesty chicken, it will fool your taste buds into thinking that it is not healthy. I followed suit of BJ's and served mine with black beans and brown rice, but feel free to substitute some veggies, if you would prefer less carbs!
Let's get started!
BJ's Copycat Barbacoa Chicken
Servings: 6 Calories: 457 Fat: 14.9 Carbs: 32.8 Protein: 46.5
Barbacoa seasoning:
Now, I did later find that you can buy Barbacoa seasoning (I saw one online for brand Frontera), However, I did not see this in stores, so if you stumble upon it and try it please let me know how it works out! I decided to attempt a 'home made' version of the seasoning as follows:
The ingredients:
-5 minced garlic cloves
-1/2 tsp Cumin
-2 tsp Oregano
-1/2 tsp Pepper
-1/2 TBS coriander
-3/4 TSP Cinnamon
-1/2 tsp Salt
-1 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
-2-3 TBS Lime Juice
1.) To make this seasoning, add it all in a bowl and get mixing! I used jarred minced Garlic which has a bit of a liquid component to it as well, but if you cut your garlic fresh, you may need to add a little extra lime juice to make sure it isn't too pasty!
I always make this seasoning first to let it sit and season itself while I prepare everything else!
Main Ingredients:
-6 Chicken breasts (about 7 oz each breast)
-3 TBS Olive Oil
-2 15oz cans Great Value Organic Black Beans
-3 cups of Great Value Instant Natural Whole Grain Rice
-12 TBS Great Value Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with seasonings
-6 TBS Cacique Crema Table Cream (optional)
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
This recipe's main ingredient is chicken, so obviously, you don't want to mess that up. In order to make sure I get the best flavors and the juicest non-dry chicken, follow ALL these steps! They make a HUGE difference and are super easy! I have tried so many variations of baked chicken, but trust me this works best time in and time out!
***Prestep: Set your oven to 450 degrees***
1.) Fill a big bowl with warm (not TOO hot) water
2.) Add a few tablespoons of salt and stir to dissolve (if it doesn't dissolve all the way, that's ok!)
3.) Add chicken breasts!
4.) Let chicken soak for about 15 minutes (the salt water helps the flavors we're about to put on absorb more)
5.) Drain the water & pat the chicken breasts dry with a cloth
6.) For even cooking, pound the chicken breasts until they are thin and even and place them on a lightly greased baking pan
Voila! your chicken is prepared, and ready for some tasty seasoning! (I promise, don't skip any of those steps, the best things always come with a little time)
STEP 2: Add some seasoning & Bake
7.) Coat each chicken breast with 1/2 TBS of Olive Oil
8.) Spoon Barbacoa seasoning evenly spread on top of all 6 chicken breasts
9.) Place chicken in oven for about 10 minutes
STEP 3: Prepare Rice & Beans
10.) In the meantime, pour the black beans into a pot, and continuously stir and bring to a simmer
11.) Follow directions on the rice box to start cooking your rice (in the microwave or on the stove)
STEP 4: Finish Baking
12.) At the 10 minute mark pull the chicken out of the oven, the seasonings should have begun baking in, now add 2 TBS of the fire roasted diced tomatoes to each chicken breast
13.) Pop the chicken back in the over for 5-8 minutes until internal chicken temperature read about 165 degrees, or until all pink is gone
14.) Once your chicken is cooked in order for the juices of the chicken to really come forward let the chicken rest before you cut into them, It simmers in all the juices and flavors while it finishes cooking! ( I usually loosely cover the chicken with tin foil
15.) While your chicken is resting you can start preparing your plate!
1 serving is:
1/2 Cup of Black Beans
1/2 Cup of Brown Rice
~7oz. of chicken
16.) Lastly, after preparing your plate feel free to drizzle 1 TBS of crema over each dish, the cream adds a nice light cool and smooth taste to the chicken, but it is optional!
Bon Appetit! Enjoy your amazing, mouth watering, juicy, savory copy cat Chicken Barbacoa!
I used this recipe to meal, prep and it held well for the entire week without losing flavor and the chicken reheats very well after being baked!
Let me know what you guys think and if you found any fun or delicious improvisations to add to the recipe!
BJ's Brewhouse Version Fire Roasted Barbacoa Chicken from their new enLIGHTened menu
Approximate Nutrition Facts for this meal!
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