Taco Tuesday

It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Today's diabetic-friendly tacos include Pork & Pineapple Tacos and Zesty Ranch Chicken Tacos. Enjoy!

EASY GREEN CHILE CHICKEN TACOS

This taco recipe is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, who not only posts recipes on VeryWell Fit, but has her own food site, called Lively Table.

For this recipe, Kaleigh wrote, “Instead of making the same old tacos this week, why not change things up with delicious and healthy green chile chicken tacos?

“This chicken taco recipe is super easy to make. Just boil the chicken in a bit of broth, shred, and add diced green chiles. It's a simple nutritious meal that the whole family will love.

“Corn tortillas are naturally whole grain, so they make a great choice for these tacos. Top with a bit of shredded red cabbage, creamy avocado, and fresh cilantro to make a weeknight meal.”

Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 5 minutes; CookTime: 30 minutes; Servings: 4 (2 tacos each)

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast

2 cloves garlic

1 fresh jalapeno

1 cup low sodium chicken broth

Water

1 can (7-ounce) diced green chiles

8 warm corn tortillas

1 small avocado, sliced

1 cup red cabbage, shredded

Fresh cilantro, to taste

Preparation

In a medium saucepan, add chicken, garlic, jalapeno, and broth. Add water to cover the chicken. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove chicken and shred using two forks. Discard garlic and jalapeno, reserving cooking liquid.

In a skillet, add green chiles and shredded chicken. Cook over low heat, stirring until warmed through and sauce is thickened. Add reserved cooking liquid as needed to keep the chicken moist.

Serve with warmed corn tortillas, avocado, cabbage, and cilantro.

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

Use any type of tortilla that you like. Look for whole grain options, if possible.

You can also leave out the tortillas and serve the chicken on top of lettuce to make a taco salad or with brown rice and beans to make taco bowls.

Canned green chiles are usually found in the Mexican food aisle at the grocery store. They come in two varieties, spicy and mild. Choose the kind that best suits your taste.

Cooking and Serving Tips

Serve tacos with a side of low-sodium canned black beans for a quick and easy meal.

Add any toppings you like, such as your favorite salsa, tomatoes, or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.

TACOS CON PUERCO

Recipe Yield: Yield: Serves 4

Source: NPB

Recipe and image appear courtesy of the National Pork Board

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/tacos-con-puerco.

Ingredients

1 pound Ground Pork

1 (14-1/2 oz) can tomatoes, diced, fire-roasted

1/4 cup chopped onion



1 tablespoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

salt, to taste

black pepper, to taste

8 taco shells

2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded

2 tomatoes, cut in wedges

1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions

In heavy skillet, brown ground pork; stir in undrained canned tomatoes, onion, chili powder and garlic powder.

Bring to boiling; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until most liquid evaporates, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Heat taco shells and portion filling into shells; top with tomatoes and lettuce.

Notes:

Set up the table for everyone to be able to assemble their own tacos. Remember to have salsa, sour cream, hot sauce, guacamole and other taco favorites for condiments.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 285; Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 4 g; Sodium: 238 mg; Cholesterol: 57 mg; Protein: 25 g; Carbohydrates: 21 g

FISH TACOS WITH AVOCADO SALSA

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings.Serving size: 2 tacos

Source: The Heart-Smart Diabetes Kitchen: Fresh, Fast and Flavorful Recipes Made with Canola Oil from the American Diabetes Association

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/fish-tacos-with-avocado-salsa.

Ingredients

1/4 cup all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled

1/4 cup cornmeal

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp chili powder

4 fish fillets (1 lb), such as tilapia or cod, rinsed, patted dry, and cut into 8 strips total

2 Tbsp canola oil



1/4 tsp salt

8 corn tortillas, warmed

1/2 medium avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced

1/2 cup fresh pico de gallo, salsa verde, or picante sauce

1 medium lime, cut into 8 wedges

Directions

Combine flour, cornmeal, onion powder, and chili powder in a shallow dish, such as a pie pan. Coat fish with mixture.

Heat canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add fish; cook 3 minutes on each side or until browned and fish flakes with a fork. Place on a serving platter and sprinkle evenly with salt.

Place fish in warmed tortillas, and top with equal amounts of avocado and pico de gallo. Squeeze a lime wedge over each tortilla.

Notes:

Experts recommend eating seafood at least twice a week, so take a break from the standby beef taco and go with fish.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 375; Fat: 14 g; Saturated Fat: 2.2 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 335 mg; Cholesterol: 75 mg; Protein: 27 g; Carbohydrates: 37 g

ZESTY RANCH CHICKEN TACOS

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Chicken tacos are jazzed up with a creamy, Old El Paso™ Zesty Ranch sauce coleslaw topping. Topped with fresh avocado and cilantro, these tacos are hard to beat!"

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Makes 5 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/zesty-ranch-chicken-tacos.

Ingredients

Coleslaw

2 cups coleslaw mix

1/3 cup chopped red onion

1/3 cup Old El Paso™ Zesty Ranch sauce

Chicken

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 package (16 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips

1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ Chicken Taco Seasoning Mix

1/4 cup water

Tacos

1 package (10 count) Old El Paso™ Stand ‘N Stuff™ Taco Shells, heated as directed on package

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled, diced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

In medium bowl, mix Coleslaw ingredients; cover and refrigerate.

In 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips; cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until no longer pink in center. Add taco seasoning mix and water; reduce heat, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.

Divide chicken among warm taco shells. Top evenly with cheese and coleslaw; top with avocado and cilantro.

Expert Tips

Garnish tacos with sliced jalapeños for a bit of spicy heat.

If desired, serve drizzled with additional sauce.

To easily assemble tacos, line heated shells in baking pan, and use tongs to add chicken and coleslaw to the shells. Continue with the remaining toppings, and they’ll all be ready to serve.

Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch; 1/2 Vegetable; 2 Very Lean Meat; 1 High-Fat Meat; 3 Fat

Carbohydrate Choice: 2

BARBECUE CHICKEN RANCH TACOS

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "These Barbecue Chicken Ranch Tacos come together in a flash—and will disappear from your table even faster. They have the perfect tang of barbecue to complement the zestiness of Old El Paso™ Zesty Ranch Sauce. Best of all, the sky is the limit when it comes to choosing fresh toppings for these easy BBQ chicken tacos. Your family will have a blast loading up their Old El Paso™ Soft Tortilla Bowls with sweet BBQ chicken and all their favorite fixings!"

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/barbecue-chicken-ranch-tacos.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch strips

1/3 cup water

1 package (1 oz) Old El Paso™ Original Taco Seasoning Mix

1/2 cup barbecue sauce

1 package (8 count) Old El Paso™ Soft Tortilla Bowls, heated as directed on package

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)

1 1/2 cups shredded romaine lettuce

1/2 cup chopped tomatoes

1/4 cup sliced green onions

1/2 cup Old El Paso™ Zesty Ranch Sauce

Lime wedges, if desired

Preparation

In 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, just until no longer pink in center. Stir in water and taco seasoning mix; heat to boiling.

Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened. Stir in barbecue sauce. Cook until heated.

Divide warmed chicken mixture among heated tortilla bowls. Top with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and green onions. Drizzle with ranch sauce. Serve with lime wedges.

Expert Tips

For best results, pat chicken slices dry before adding to hot skillet.

Swap out lettuce for shredded green cabbage to give your BBQ chicken tacos a delightful crunch.

Get creative with your barbecue chicken tacos. Other varieties of Old El Paso™ Taco Seasoning Mix, such as Hot & Spicy, can add a flavorful kick that's perfect for spice lovers.

Exchanges: 1/2 Starch; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 2 Very Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Fat

Carbohydrate Choice: 1 1/2

PORK & PINEAPPLE TACOS

This is from Eating Well. It begins, "Plan ahead so you can use your slow cooker to prepare the pulled pork for these tacos. This recipe is a better-for-you twist on the classic tacos al pastor. Pork loin is a lean cut that's a healthier option than traditional pork shoulder, which has more fat."

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Additional Time: 7 hours; Total Time: 7 hours 30 minutes; Servings: 6; Yield: 12 tacos

To view this online, go to https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/280196/pork-pineapple-tacos/.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon chili powder

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon packed light brown sugar

3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

1 (2 pound) pork loin roast, trimmed

1/3 cup apple juice

1/2 cup lime juice

2 cups finely diced fresh pineapple (about 1/2 small pineapple)

1 cup finely diced seeded cucumber

1/4 cup finely diced red onion

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

12 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed

2 cups shredded red cabbage

Directions

Combine chili powder, paprika, brown sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt, garlic powder, and pepper in a small bowl.

Place pork in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Rub the spice mixture all over the pork. Pour apple juice around the pork. Cover and cook on Low until the pork is fork-tender, 6 to 7 hours.

Meanwhile, combine lime juice and the remaining 1/4 tsp. salt in a medium bowl. Add pineapple, cucumber, and onion; toss to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Skim off visible fat from the juices in the slow cooker. Using two forks, shred the meat. Stir in vinegar.

To assemble tacos: Place a generous 1/4 cup pulled pork on each tortilla and add a drizzle of the cooking liquid. Top with about 2 1/2 Tbsp. shredded cabbage and about 3 Tbsp. of the pineapple salsa.

Tips

Equipment: 5- to 6-qt. slow cooker

To make ahead: Prepare spice rub (Step 1) up to 24 hours ahead. Refrigerate salsa (Step 3) for up to 1 day.