Garnachas Veracruzanas (Fried Masa Cups with Shredded Chicken)
Little fried masa discs with a pinched rim, filled with chicken in red salsa and scattered with pickled onion and cheese.
- Time1 hr 10
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £1.88 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
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Method
- 1
Put the chicken in a pan with the water and a pinch of salt. Bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 20 minutes until cooked through. Lift out, cool slightly and shred. Keep 100 ml of the cooking water.
20 min - 2
Meanwhile, cover the dried chillies with boiling water and soak for 15 minutes until soft. Blend with the tomatoes, garlic, white onion and the reserved cooking water until smooth.
- 3
Fry the sauce in 1 tbsp of the oil for 8 minutes, stirring often, until thick and deep red. Stir in the shredded chicken and season. Keep warm.
8 min - 4
Pickle the red onion by mixing it with the lime juice and a pinch of salt. Leave it to turn bright pink.
- 5
Mix the masa harina, salt and warm water into a soft dough that does not stick to your hands. Make eight balls and press each into a 9 cm disc on a sheet of baking paper.
- 6
Heat a dry frying pan over a medium heat and cook each disc for 1 minute per side. While still warm, pinch up an edge all the way round to make a shallow cup.
- 7
Heat the remaining oil in the pan and fry the cups for 2 minutes per side, until crisp and golden at the edges. Fill with the chicken, then top with pickled onion and feta. Serve hot.
4 min
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.