Chicken al Pastor Skewers — Culinary Seasons

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Chicken al Pastor Skewers or Alambres de Pollo al Pastor is a classic street food of Mexico. This skewered variation has been add to the Skewered Street Food series.

Make this quick and easy marinade and marinate overnight for best flavor. Slice the meat off the skewers, as they would off the vertical rotisserie. Place it is some warm tortillas and enjoy as tacos.

Vertical Rotisserie Arrives from the Middle East

In 1930s Lebanese immigrants migrated into Puebla, Mexico bringing with them the vertical rotisserie and lamb shawarma. The lebanese spit roasted lamb over a fire. The meat is then sliced from the skewers and placed into pita, in the style of shawarma.

‘Al Pastor’ meaning ‘shepard style’ was adopted by Mexican ranchers or shepards. The availability of pork became the meat of choice instead of lamb. Thus becoming becoming the Pork al Pastor Tacos as we know today.

Pork al Pastor has become a street vendor staple on the streets of Mexico. Around almost every corner there are variations interpretations of al pastor. Where exactly the pineapple came from on the tacos is a mystery.

On street a vendor’s rotisserie, a pineapple is placed at the top of the vertical rotisserie. It is sliced along with the meat is filled in the tortilla. Traditionally served with chopped cilantro and onions.

Flavors of al Pastor

The flavors that make up the al pastor marinade are dried chiles, achiote paste, garlic, cumin, a vinegar, cinnamon, Mexican oregano, coriander & pineapple juice. Some recipes may add other ingredients.

In this recipe, I wanted to simplify the ingredients. To allow the user to easily recreate the flavors without having to work with dried chiles. Quickly assembling the marinade in the blender.

I know what some of you are saying, “this isn’t authentic”. I am aware it is not authentic. The chipotle peppers impart the heat of a dried chile. The adobo sauce in the can of chiles act as the achiote paste that would be in a traditional recipe. The spices and acid remain similar to impart the acidic nature to the skewers.

To add some spice and flavor to your tacos, check out these salsas and crema to liven it up!

Take a look at Taco Party Featured Recipes

Servings: 4 people

Author: Chef Tony Zentgraf

Continuing the Skewered Street Food Around the World this al Pastor skewer is a quick and easy to make skewer. Cook over charcoal to get the maximum flavor. Enjoy as tacos or whatever way you like. Print Recipe