FIDEO CON POLLO

Steps:

• 1. If you didn't buy it already cut up, cut up chicken and add to pot of water to boil, (skin and all) add 2tsp salt and pepper. will cook for 45-60min until chicken starts to pull away from the bones. remove chicken from water and place on plate. let cool. this last step very important, keeps you from burning your fingers. I usually place the chicken in the freezer while i complete the rest of the prep. you can pour the water into a bowl to save until used later in the dish. (saves on pots)
• 2. dice up the onion, tomato, bell pepper, garlic, chipotle pepper and place them in a bowl. mix in the dry ingredients, cumin, paprika, chili powder. once that's done, take the chicken off the bone and from the skin. you can discard them or used them to make home made chicken stock...
• 3. in the now empty pot (don't clean it in between) break the vermicelli into 1-1 1/2 pieces and place them into the pot over medium-high heat. don't add the water yet. you will stir the pasta until lightly browned. next you add the mixed ingredients and the chicken, stir thoroughly to mix well. add the water from the boiled chicken to just cover the mixture. cover the pot and cook for approx 15 min, stirring occasionally and adding the water as needed to keep from drying. after 15min, you will add the can of tomato sauce, mix well cover and turn down the heat to simmer for the next 10min. ready to serve.
• 4. you can replace all the fresh ingredients with their canned or powdered cousins to decrease your work. highly recommended for my bachelor friends when trying to impress that special someone. Hope you enjoy this mexican meal I grew up eating.... thanks Mom.