Mastering the #ChoppedAtHome Challenge: My Flavorful Fork & Knife Chicken Tacos with Sargento Cheese
As an avid fan of The Food Network’s exciting show Chopped, I’ve always admired the contestants’ ability to conjure up creative and delicious recipes under pressure, utilizing a basket of mystery ingredients. The culinary journey they embark on in such a short timeframe is truly inspiring! Imagine my excitement when I was presented with my very own #ChoppedAtHome Challenge by the wonderful folks at Sargento®! This wasn’t just any cooking task; it was an opportunity to channel my inner chef and transform everyday ingredients into something extraordinary.
My Chopped At Home Challenge Basket: Core Ingredients
For this challenge, I was given four essential ingredients that had to be incorporated into my dish. These were my “mystery basket” items, setting the stage for a culinary adventure right in my own kitchen. The goal was to craft a quick and easy recipe that showcased these key components:
- Sargento® Off the Block 4 Cheese Mexican
- Boneless chicken tenders
- Couscous
- Salsa
While these four ingredients were non-negotiable, I had the freedom to complement them with other pantry staples and fresh produce to bring my vision to life. The true test was to marry these distinct flavors and textures into a harmonious and delectable meal.
The Inspiration Behind the Dish: A San Diego Memory
Just a few months prior to this challenge, I had the pleasure of visiting San Diego. During my trip, my best friend of over 30 years treated me to lunch at the iconic Hotel Del Coronado. It was a beautiful, sunshiny day in February, and the ocean breeze added to the enchanting atmosphere. There, we both indulged in a memorable dish: “Fork and Knife Fish Tacos.”
This elegant take on a beloved classic immediately captivated me. Instead of the usual handheld experience, these tacos were designed for a more refined dining style, allowing you to savor each component with a fork and knife. The flavors, the presentation, and the wonderful company created a lasting impression. When faced with the Chopped At Home Challenge, that delightful experience instantly came to mind, becoming the direct inspiration for these Fork & Knife Chicken Tacos. I wanted to recreate that elevated taco experience, but with a unique spin using my challenge ingredients.
Highlighting the Star Ingredients: Sargento Cheese and More
Sargento® Fine Cut Shredded 4 Cheese Mexican: The Flavor Foundation
I couldn’t wait to start cooking! Mexican food has always been my absolute FAVORITE cuisine, and I’m particularly fond of Sargento products. The Sargento® Fine Cut Shredded 4 Cheese Mexican blend is a staple in our refrigerator, and for good reason. It’s not just cheese; it’s a meticulously crafted blend that elevates any dish.
This quick-melting blend offers a truly delicious Mexican flavor profile. It combines Monterey Jack, Mild Cheddar, Queso Quesadilla, and Asadero cheeses, resulting in a creamy, smooth texture and rich taste. This blend is perfect for enhancing everything from nachos and quesadillas to the intricate flavors of these Fork & Knife Chicken Tacos. Its consistent quality and exceptional flavor make it my go-to choice for authentic Mexican-inspired meals.
Transforming Couscous into a Flavorful Base
The inclusion of couscous in the mystery basket was a delightful twist. While often associated with Mediterranean or North African cuisine, couscous is incredibly versatile and serves as a fantastic, light base for tacos. To make it fit seamlessly into our Mexican theme, I decided to infuse it with vibrant spices and a touch of tomato paste. This transformation turns simple couscous into a “Mexican style” grain, adding a unique texture and flavor dimension that perfectly complements the grilled chicken and creamy cheese. The pearled couscous holds up well, absorbing the savory notes of cumin and onion powder, making each bite an experience.
Perfectly Grilled Chicken Tenders
Boneless chicken tenders were another key ingredient, offering a lean and quick-cooking protein option. Grilling the chicken tenders not only adds a lovely smoky char but also keeps them tender and juicy. Once grilled and thinly sliced, they become the hearty centerpiece of our tacos, soaking up the accompanying flavors beautifully. This preparation method is simple yet yields maximum flavor, crucial for a speedy “Chopped-style” recipe.
The Art of Presentation: Elegant Plating
One of the things I love most about fancy restaurants and cooking shows is the attention to presentation, particularly the artful “smear” on the plate. This technique instantly elevates a dish, turning it from a simple meal into a work of art. I knew I had to incorporate this into my Fork & Knife Chicken Tacos to give them that gourmet touch.
For my presentation, I created a dynamic backdrop on the plate. One direction featured a generous smear of creamy refried beans, providing a comforting and rich base. Overlapping this, going in the opposite direction, was a vibrant smear of my favorite restaurant-style salsa, adding a burst of fresh, zesty flavor and a beautiful splash of color. This dual-smear technique immediately makes the plate look sophisticated and inviting. With this artistic canvas set, I then began to meticulously plate the various components of my Fork & Knife Chicken Tacos.
This method allows for a beautiful deconstructed presentation, where each ingredient can be appreciated individually before being combined in a bite. It also gives diners the freedom to customize their taco experience, mixing and matching flavors as they go.
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Print Recipe
Fork & Knife Chicken Tacos – #ChoppedAtHome Challenge
Ingredients
- 14 ounces boneless chicken breast tenders grilled and sliced into thin strips
- FOR THE MEXICAN-STYLE COUSCOUS:
- 1 cup pearled couscous
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/3 cup sliced green onions
- 8 – 4 ” flour tortillas can substitute corn tortillas for gluten-free option
- restaurant-style salsa for serving and plating
- 1 can refried beans warmed, for plating
- 1 ripe avocado sliced or diced
- small leaves of romaine lettuce for freshness and crunch
- 1 package Sargento® Fine Cut Shredded 4 Cheese Mexican Cheese for generous topping
Instructions
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First, prepare the Mexican-style couscous. Bring 1 cup of water to a rolling boil in a microwave-safe dish with a tight-fitting lid. Carefully add the couscous to the boiling water, cover the dish, and let it sit undisturbed for approximately 10 minutes. This allows the couscous to absorb the water and become tender. After 10 minutes, microwave for an additional 1 minute to ensure it’s fully cooked and fluffy. Stir in the tomato paste, salt, ground cumin, and onion powder until well combined and the couscous takes on a reddish hue and aromatic spice. Gently fold in the sliced green onions. Set the flavorful couscous aside.
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While the couscous is resting, grill the boneless chicken breast tenders until fully cooked through and slightly charred for added flavor. Once cooked, let them rest for a few minutes before slicing them into small, bite-sized strips, ideal for taco fillings.
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Prepare your tortillas. In a frying pan, lightly sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray, quickly “brown” each 4-inch flour tortilla on both sides for about 15-30 seconds per side. This warms them up and gives them a slightly crispy edge, enhancing their texture without making them hard.
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Begin plating for a restaurant-style presentation. On each serving plate, smear about 1/4 cup of warm refried beans in one direction, creating an appealing base. Overlap this with a vibrant smear of your favorite restaurant-style salsa, going in the opposite direction for a contrasting visual effect. Place a couple of small romaine lettuce leaves neatly at the side of the bean and salsa smears, adding a fresh, crisp element.
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Layer the main components. Neatly arrange two of the warmed 4-inch flour tortillas on top of the smears. Distribute the sliced grilled chicken and fresh avocado slices evenly over the tortillas.
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Using a scoop (an ice cream scoop works perfectly for consistent portions), place two generous helpings of the Mexican-style couscous onto each set of tacos, positioning it artfully amongst the chicken and avocado.
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Finish with the star cheese. Sprinkle generously with Sargento® Fine Cut Shredded 4 Cheese Mexican Cheese over the entire taco assembly. The warmth of the other ingredients will slightly melt the cheese, creating a gooey, irresistible topping.
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Serve immediately with a fork and knife, allowing your guests to enjoy every carefully curated layer of flavor and texture. Enjoy your elevated taco experience!
Nutrition
Join the #ChoppedAtHome Challenge!
The #ChoppedAtHome Challenge is a fantastic way to unleash your creativity in the kitchen and see what amazing dishes you can come up with. If you’re inspired by the ingenuity on the Food Network show, I highly encourage you to explore the challenge details here.
Think about it: what delicious and innovative recipe would *you* submit to the Chopped at Home Challenge, especially if you had to incorporate Sargento Cheese? The possibilities are endless!
Sargento Shredded Cheese truly is a chef’s best friend, offering incredible versatility in the kitchen. Available in over 30 varieties, unique blends, and distinct cuts, Sargento Shredded Cheese is always cut from blocks of 100% real, natural cheese, ensuring superior taste and melt. For even more culinary inspiration, be sure to check out the Sargento Pinterest page at Pinterest.com/sargentocheese/ or visit Sargento.com for comprehensive information and a plethora of recipes. The Chopped at Home Challenge is an exciting opportunity for home cooks to showcase their skills, creating their best recipe using selected basket ingredients, including Sargento Shredded Cheese, for a chance to win a grand prize of $10,000!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Sargento. The opinions and text are all mine.
This recipe offers a fresh perspective on chicken tacos, turning a casual meal into an elegant dining experience. It’s perfect for entertaining or simply treating yourself to something special on a weeknight. With minimal prep time and maximum flavor, these Fork & Knife Chicken Tacos are sure to become a new favorite.
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