Yucatán's pickled chicken or turkey with onions and spices in a tangy vinegar sauce. This healthy, protein-rich chicken dish offers fresh, bright flavors unique to the peninsula's family cooking.
Pat chicken thighs dry and season with half the salt. In a large Dutch oven, sear the chicken on medium-high heat until lightly golden on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
Reduce heat to medium. Add sliced onions to the same pot and sauté until soft and beginning to caramelize, around 8 minutes.
Add garlic cloves, bay leaves, allspice berries, black peppercorns, and oregano. Stir for 1 minute to bloom the spices and release their aroma.
Return chicken to the pot. Pour in orange juice, apple cider vinegar, and water. Ensure chicken is just covered. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Cover the pot partially and braise at low heat for 35–40 minutes, or until chicken is tender and begins to pull easily from the bone. Monitor liquid so it doesn’t evaporate too quickly.
Remove the chicken and shred or leave whole. Simmer the sauce uncovered on medium-high for 5 minutes to slightly reduce, then adjust seasoning with remaining salt if needed.
Serve chicken with plenty of onions and pickling sauce. Enjoy hot, or chill and serve cold for intensified tangy flavors.