Go Back

Citrusy Cuban Shredded Chicken (Vaca Frita de Pollo)

A classic Cuban chicken dish with shredded chicken, onions, and lime.
Total Time45 minutes
Course: dinner, lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Cuban, Latin, Latin American
Keyword: chicken, Cuban, Latin, shredded chicken
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs chicken breast
  • 4 tbsp complete seasoning (sazón completa or sazonador total)
  • 1/2 large white onion
  • 4 limes
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup water

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add 1.5 lbs chicken breast and boil for 30 minutes until cooked through.
  • While the chicken boils, thinly slice 1/2 large white onion.
  • Add the onions to a bowl and season with 1 tbsp of complete seasoning (sazón completa or sazonador total).
  • Add the juice of 1 lime to the sliced onion and allow to marinate for at least 10 minutes.
  • When the chicken is fully cooked, transfer it to a cutting board and shred it using two forks.
  • Season your shredded chicken with the remaining 3 tbsp of complete seasoning (sazón completa or sazonador total) and add the juice of two limes.
  • Add 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil to a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add the marinated onions and cook for about 4 minutes until they begin to soften.
  • Add the shredded chicken and cook for about five minutes until golden. You’ll want to keep the chicken moist by adding juice of additional lime to the pan as the chicken cooks.
  • Add 1/4 cup water at a time to deglaze the pan and scrape up the delicious brown bits. After deglazing the pan, mix the chicken to soak up all the flavor.
  • Serve with rice, beans, or tostones and enjoy.