Oaxaca's distinctive adobo sauce featuring local chiles, herbs, and spices for marinating meats. This family cooking essential transforms protein-rich chicken and pork into deeply flavored meals.
Toast the ancho, guajillo, and pasilla chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, turning frequently until fragrant. Remove stems and seeds.
Combine toasted chiles with garlic and onion in a saucepan. Add enough water to cover and simmer gently over medium-low heat for 8 minutes until softened.
Drain the chiles mixture. Blend together with apple cider vinegar, oregano, cumin, black pepper, salt, brown sugar, and bay leaf until smooth. If needed, add ¼ cup water for a thick marinade.
Rub the adobo mixture evenly onto chicken thighs and pork shoulder. Place in a shallow dish, cover, and marinate refrigerated for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange marinated meats in a baking dish with any excess adobo. Cover loosely with foil and roast for 75 minutes, baste halfway through, then uncover and roast 15 minutes more for a deep glaze and moist texture.