Chicken wrapped in maguey membrane and steamed with guajillo chiles and Mexican herbs. This healthy, high protein chicken dish delivers tender, deeply seasoned results for family gatherings.
Remove stems and seeds from guajillo chiles. Toast the chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1 minute per side, until aromatic but not burnt.
Add toasted chiles, tomato, onion, and garlic to a saucepan with 1 cup water. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes until softened, then blend until smooth.
Combine the chile sauce with cumin, oregano, epazote, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Mix well, then toss chicken thighs thoroughly in the marinade. Marinate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight in the refrigerator.
Lay out squares of parchment paper or, for authenticity, hydrated maguey leaves. Place each chicken thigh in the center, top with cooked nopales and a bay leaf, and spoon extra marinade over each portion.
Wrap the parcels securely, folding edges to seal in moisture. Steam the wrapped chicken over gently simmering water for 80–90 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure water doesn't run dry. Serve hot, unwrap at the table for best aroma and presentation.