Game Day Menu brings you a new item for your tailgate party. This week we have California Chicken Tacos and also Cali-Slaw as a side dish. Being who we are, we are of course grilling the chicken breasts. The grilled flavor brings so much more to the dish and will be noticed by your guests. We also are grilling pineapple to go with the California Chicken Tacos and in the Cali-Slaw too. To get more incredible flavor we will be marinating the pineapple in tequila. This brings two things to the grill party, incredibly delicious pineapple and a tequila marinade you can use in your margaritas that day.
California Chicken Tacos And Cali-Slaw
California Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- Lawry’s Seasoning Salt, black pepper, cumin, chili powder
- One red onion chopped
- 1-2 tomatoes chopped
- 2 avocadoes sliced
- Shredded lettuce
- Grilled pineapple chopped
- 8-12 flour tortillas
- Cilantro chopped
- Ranch dressing or your favorite hot sauce (optional)
Grill Time
Place 20-25 charcoal briquettes in a pyramid in the center of your grill. Season your chicken breasts liberally with the spices after lighting your grill. Once the coals are ready, place the seasoned chicken breasts to the outside of the coals. This is also when you want to place your marinated pineapple on the grill. (those instructions below) Allow the chicken breasts to grill for ten minutes, and then turn them over. Continue to do this for another two to three turns. You do not want to overcook the chicken so keep a close eye on it. You can use a meat thermometer if you want to verify the required 180 degrees Fahrenheit internal temperature. The pineapple can be turned every four to six minutes.
Once your chicken is up to temperature, remove it from the grill and allow it to rest for seven to ten minutes. The pineapple slices only need to get that delicious char look to be finished. When they have that look, remove them from the grill.
Slice the resting chicken breasts into either thin slices or cubes. Slice the pineapple into small cubes also but reserve a cup for your Cali-Slaw. Plate your chicken breasts and toppings and allow your guests to create their own California Chicken Tacos.
Grilled Pineapple
Ingredients
- 1 Large Pineapple
- 8 Ounces Of Your Favorite Tequila
Cut the top and bottom off of the pineapple. Trim the exterior of the pineapple away until only the pineapple flesh remains. Take your knife and slice top to bottom of the pineapple carving out large slices away from the core. Take the large slices and place them into a gallon-size Ziploc bag. Add in your favorite tequila and marinate the slices for several hours. Remove the pineapple and then grill it directly on your charcoal or gas grill. It should only take four to six minutes on each side to get them finished.
Once finished, allow to cool for 3-5 minutes then cut into small cubes. Be sure to reserve a cup of chopped pineapple for your Cali-Slaw. Add the rest to the toppings plate for building the chicken tacos.
As for the remaining tequila in the baggie, use that as an add-in for your margaritas or as a straight shot for your guests to enjoy. They will thank you for it!
Cali-Slaw
Ingredients
- Creamy or vinegar coleslaw
- Grilled pineapple cubes
- Raisins (optional)
For this dish, we are recommending you use one of two shortcuts. One involves you buying the pre-shredded coleslaw mix in a bag and making your own coleslaw. The other is simply buying any pre-made coleslaws readily available at your local grocery store. Either way, you are going to be doctoring up the coleslaw to create your Cali-Slaw.
If you want to create your own coleslaw using a pre-made shredded coleslaw bag follow the directions for this creamy coleslaw found at allrecipes.com. They give you all of the ingredients as well as for instructions on the dressing too. Once you are done creating your coleslaw add in the cubes of pineapple and raisins. Stir well so everything is blended and serve with your California Tacos platter.
If you choose to simply buy pre-made coleslaw from the store, you only have to add in the pineapple cubes and raisins to make the Cali-Slaw for your guests. Serve the Cali-Slaw alongside your California Chicken Tacos when ready. Then sit back and watch your guests enjoy an unusually refreshing meal during your tailgate party.
Game Day Menu Wrap Up
This week we brought you a new dish to serve your tailgate guests. You may get a few odd looks as the guests dig into your meal. Remind your guests that you are always evolving as a Grill Master and will continue to bring nothing but the best for their enjoyment! Now get grilling!