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1
To make the filling, put the chicken in a large pot and add water to cover by 3 inches.
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2
Add the quartered onion, celery, and garlic.
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3
Season with salt, and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
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4
Simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes.
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5
Remove the chicken from the pot and let cool slightly.
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6
Discard the skin and bones and shred the meat.
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7
Puree the tomatoes in a blender.
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8
Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
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9
Add the sliced onion and bell pepper, and cook until soft, 3 to 5 minutes.
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10
Add the pureed tomatoes, garlic powder, and cumin.
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11
Season with salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer.
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12
Reduce the heat and simmer gently for about 45 minutes.
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13
Add the chicken and warm through.
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14
To make the tacos, heat 2 inches of oil in a large deep pot to 350F.
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15
Whisk the masa mix and salt together in a large bowl.
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16
Stir in 2 1/4 cups warm water until a smooth dough forms.
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17
Pull off pieces of dough and roll them into 13 or 14 balls, each about the size of a Ping-Pong ball.
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18
Keep them covered with a piece of plastic wrap or a clean dish towel so they dont dry out.
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19
Cut a plastic food storage bag open down both sides, leaving the bottom attached, to form a rectangle.
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20
Lay one side of the plastic over the bottom of a tortilla press.
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21
Place a ball of dough in the center, and fold the other side of the plastic over the dough.
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22
Shut the top of the tortilla press and press down firmly on the dough to shape the tortilla.
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23
Drop the tortilla into the hot oil.
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24
When the tortilla floats to the surface, use a metal spatula to repeatedly douse the top with hot oil until it begins to puff up.
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25
(If the tortilla does not begin to puff, gently pat it with the spatula.)
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26
Flip it over, and using another spatula to support the side, press the first spatula into the center of the tortilla to form a taco shape.
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27
This process takes approximately 60 seconds.
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28
Transfer the taco to paper towels to drain.
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29
Repeat with the remaining dough balls.
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30
Fill each taco with some of the shredded chicken, and add guacamole, cheese, shredded lettuce, and diced tomato as desired.
