Cajun Cornmeal Crusted Chicken Recipes

CORNMEAL BAKED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine cornmeal, bread crumbs, cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a freezer ziplock bag (you can use a large bowl and dredge the chicken if you don't have a bag). Pour buttermilk in a shallow bowl to dip chicken in. Dip chicken in buttermilk and then add it to the bag. I did about a pound of chicken at a time. Shake well to make sure the entire piece of chicken is covered. Remove from bag and lay in a greased 9X13 pan. Continue this step until all chicken is coated.
• Bake for 10 minutes, remove and pour melted butter over chicken. Bake for 20-25 more minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. You will have to adjust your cooking time if you use breast or a larger piece of chicken.
• You can also broil this chicken for about 2 minutes at the end of baking to crisp it up, if you like.
• You can easily add smoked paprika, basil, ranch seasoning, to the bag to change the taste of the chicken. This is a great base recipe to begin with and make your own.

CAJUN CORNMEAL CRUSTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, whisk 1/2 cup of the flour with the cornmeal, cajun spice and 1/2 tsp salt.
• Put the remaining 1 cup flour, buttermilk, and the cornmeal mixture respectively in 3 shallow dishes.
• Season the buttermilk with hot sauce, to taste.
• Pound each breast to equal thickness with flat side of cook's knife or other flat surface.
• Pat the chicken breasts dry and season with salt.
• Lightly coat each breast in flour and shake off any excess.
• Dip each breast into buttermilk to coat and remove, shaking so excess buttermilk drips back into the bowl.
• Dredge the chicken in the cornmeal mixture, shaking off any excess coating.
• Lay the chicken on a piece of wax paper.
• Heat a large cast iron skillet (12 inches in diameter) over medium heat with about 1/2 inch of oil.
• Lay 2 chicken breasts smooth side down in the pan and cook, until golden brown.
• Turn over and cook until opposite side is equally browned.
• Repeat with remaining chicken.
• Place all chicken breasts on a rack over a baking pan and bake until firm to the touch, about 6-8 minutes.
• Season with salt to taste.

CORNMEAL-CRUSTED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 cup yellow cornmeal, 2 tablespoons minced parsley, 2 tablespoons minced thyme, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in large bowl. Whisk 1/2 cup Dijon mustard and 2 eggs in medium bowl to blend.
• Using mallet or rolling pin, pound each chicken breast half between sheets of plastic wrap to 1/2- to 1/3-inch thickness. Dip pounded chicken first into mustard mixture and coat well, then into breadcrumb mixture and coat well; shake off excess breadcrumbs.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter with 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of chicken to skillet; cook until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Repeat with remaining butter, oil and chicken.
• Bake chicken until cooked through, about 8 minutes. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve.

CORNMEAL-CRUSTED CHICKEN WITH HORSERADISH SAUCE AND PEARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Top a baking sheet with a wire rack or line it with paper towels.
• In a large bowl, combine the leeks, pears, olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, 1 tablespoon vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Toss to combine and place on a baking sheet. Roast, tossing the leeks and pears about every 10 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pat the chicken breasts dry. Using a sharp knife, split each chicken breast in two horizontally, so you have 4 cutlets. Gently pound each breast with a mallet or bottom of a small heavy saucepan so it's thinner and even in thickness. Sprinkle the cutlets on both sides with salt and black pepper.
• Whisk the eggs, 1 tablespoon of the prepared horseradish and 2 tablespoons water together in a shallow bowl or pie plate. Combine the cornmeal and Parmesan in a second shallow bowl or pie plate. Dip a chicken cutlet in the cornmeal mixture, then in the eggs, and then back into the cornmeal. Place on a plate or small baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining cutlets.
• Pour about 1 inch of the frying oil into a large skillet with high sides and place over medium-high heat. When the oil is very hot, working in two batches, fry the chicken until golden on the outside and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Set aside on the prepared baking sheet. Immediately sprinkle with kosher salt.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, remaining 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish, remaining 1 tablespoon honey, remaining 1 tablespoon hot sauce and remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar. Whisk in half of the chopped chives. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
• Spoon sauce onto the bottom of each serving plate. Top each with a chicken cutlet and roasted leeks and pears and sprinkle with chives. Enjoy!