Chef Paul Prudhomme Chicken Recipes

CHICKEN AND SAUSAGE GUMBO

Steps:

• Put chicken pieces in a bowl. Blend salt, peppers, mustard, cayenne pepper, paprika, granulated garlic and file powder. Rub four teaspoons of the mixture over the chicken. Set rest of spice mixture aside.
• Put the flour in a bowl and add two teaspoons of the reserved spice mixture. Blend well.
• Heat a 10-inch skillet and add the oil. Dredge the chicken pieces in the flour mixture to coat well, shaking off excess. Reserve the leftover flour.
• When the oil is hot and almost smoking, add the chicken pieces skin side down. Cook about two minutes on one side until golden brown. Turn and cook about three minutes on the second side until nicely browned. Do this in batches so as to not crowd the pan. Drain thoroughly on paper towels.
• Pour off all but one cup of fat from the skillet. Heat this oil over high heat until it is almost smoking and add the reserved seasoned flour. Stir rapidly and constantly with a wire whisk until the mixture is golden brown. Do not burn. This is a roux.
• Add the chopped onion, celery and green pepper to the roux and stir to blend well. Remove from the heat.
• Meanwhile, bring the broth to a boil in a large saucepan.
• Add about half a cup of the roux mixture to the broth, stirring rapidly with the whisk. Continue adding the roux mixture, half a cup at a time, always stirring rapidly and constantly.
• Add the smoked sausage and stir. Cook over high heat, stirring often from the bottom, about 15 minutes.
• Add the chicken pieces, bay leaf and finely minced fresh garlic. Cook about 40 minutes, on medium-low, stirring occasionally.
• Remove the chicken pieces. Cut the meat from the bones and discard the bones. Cut the chicken into cubes or shred it and add it back to the pot. Serve with white rice or potato salad (or both) spooned into the gumbo.

PAUL PRUDHOMME'S CHICKEN DIANE

Steps:

• Cook pasta and set aside.
• Mash 1/3 of the butter or margarine and combine with seasoning and chicken.
• Heat a skillet over a high fire until it's hot (about 4 minutes).
• Add chicken pieces and brown them about 2 minutes on the first side and about 1 minute on the other.
• Add mushrooms and cook 2 minutes.
• Add green onions, parsley, garlic and stock.
• Cook 2 more minutes or until the sauce is at a rolling boil.
• Add remaining butter or margarine (cut into pats), stirring and shaking the pan to incorporate.
• Cook for 3 minutes and add the cooked pasta.
• Stir and shake the pan to mix well.
• Serve immediately.

PAUL PRUDHOMME'S BRONZED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Heat a heavy skillet to 350 degrees (preferably using a grill thermometer; or leave it over a medium flame for 8 to 10 minutes or until 1/2 teaspoon of water bursts into droplets that chase each other around the pan).
• Blend the seasonings and sprinkle the chicken pieces evenly with them.
• Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, turn and cook 2 to 3 minutes more, or until desired degree of doneness

MAMA PRUDHOMME'S STICKY ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine all spices and rub inside and outside of hen, making sure spices are evenly and deeply distributed.
• Place into sturdy plastic bag and refrigerate 2 days or more.
• On the day of the meal, remove hen from refrigerator and bring to room temperature.
• Turn on oven to 250 degrees,.
• Add a bit of oil to a frying pan and gently fry onions until softened.
• Stuff hen with the warm onions and bake for 4 hours or until done.
• Remove hen to cutting board, add broth to baking pan, scraping up bits and thickening with flour or corn starch to your preferred thickness.