Chicken Pastor Tacos

History & Origin

The al pastor taco is one of the most recognisable icons of Mexico City, and its history is one of the most fascinating in modern Mexican gastronomy. Al pastor is the direct descendant of the Arab shawarma, brought by Lebanese immigrants who arrived in Mexico in the early twentieth century, particularly in Puebla. The vertical spit-roasting of lamb was transformed into marinated pork cooked with Mexican chillies and pineapple, creating one of the great examples of culinary fusion in the Americas. The chicken version emerged as a more affordable and lighter alternative in the second half of the twentieth century, adopting the same marinade of guajillo, ancho and chipotle chillies with achiote, bitter orange and pineapple that characterises the original al pastor. In many taco stands in Mexico City, the chicken al pastor taco has earned its own devotees, appreciated for being milder in flavour than pork yet equally aromatic and colourful. The achiote gives that characteristic orange-red hue and a slightly earthy flavour that perfectly complements the acidity of the pineapple and the heat of the chillies. It is the perfect taco for those who want to enjoy the flavours of pastor with a different protein option.