Chicken Tinga Tacos – Peapod Meal Kits

It seems that everyone is in the meal kit business. Honestly, it’s smart to be in it, but the real question is, are they worth the money spent, and if they are, should you invest in the delivery in the first place? If you remember earlier this year, I wrote about my first Peapod Experience, and how much I appreciated their service. With their summer special of delivery with only a $30 purchase, now would be a great time to give them a try, and see if we agree. Given that I didn’t have to register for a kit to be delivered weekly, and could control the serving size that I needed, I was looking forward to seeing what I got with one of the Peapod Meal Kits. 

I was able to order from them, thanks to a gift card I received from an “in real life” event they hosted last month. The event was to showcase their newer meal kits that were joining the already established ones from Wildfire Grill which is well known here in the Chicago area. Two chefs were showcasing their contributions to the Peapod Meal Kit family, and we sampled pasta and the chicken tinga tacos that I made for this particular post. Chef Jonathan Zaragoza shared stories about how when he smelled the start of this meal in his house (made by caramelizing onions) he knew that his belly would be happy. 

If you’re not familiar with Peapod, you can check out my initial review of them here, and get that awesome trifle recipe that I shared, and order for yourself. Currently, they are available in several markets around the US. You just need to put your zip code in their location finder, and you can go from there. And trust me, there’s hope. Several years ago, Peapod didn’t step foot in the neighborhood I live in now, or the one I lived in 5 years ago, so the demand is there. 

I put in an order for the Chicken Tinga Tacos on a Monday afternoon and scheduled for an early morning delivery because my kids needed lunches for a camp field trip. They delivered 15 minutes before the window of time they gave me – in a broader time frame by the way – so that made me happy.

Peapod Meal Kits – What’s In It?

That evening, I got down to business with the ingredients and we happily ate tacos for dinner. We had a TON of meat filling left over and not enough tortillas, so the next time I order it, I will make sure to tack another pack of tortillas on top of the kit. The kit runs $23.99 and states that it will feed a family of 6 comfortably. That’s allotting 2 tacos per person, and comes out to $2 per taco. No sides though. So that’s something to think about.

I also want to take this time to let people know that if you are a COOK, you do not have to follow recipes to the ‘t.’ For example, this recipe calls for the use of that entire tub of pureed chipotle peppers. My insides wouldn’t be able to take that, let alone the second time around, and my kids – while well versed in various heat levels – would have hog-tied me if I dumped that entire thing in the chicken filling. Season as you see fit, and taste as you go. That way you can end with a product that you love instead of leaving 1-star reviews because the food was too spicy. Usually, I understand reviews of restaurant food like this, but when you’re the person controlling the amount of spice, and seasons going into your food, I tend to raise my eyebrows. Taste the seasonings, make sure you know what’s going in where and why. It helps. I know that kits are supposed to be quick – and this one is, but just tasting a bit will save you from hurt feelings during dinner. 

We dressed the tacos the way that was suggested, and I even ignored the kids’ pleas for cheese on these. Mostly because I want them to appreciate a variety of ways to eat tacos, and I mean, tacos. 

We ended with this gorgeousness 

Apparently, you don’t get my point, here, take a closer look. 

You can order your own Peapod Meal Kits and check for meals that serve 2, 4, or 6 people. While you’re there, pick up the rest of your groceries and enjoy not having to get in your car on a Saturday morning with all the other folks who would rather be at home watching reruns of SVU.