Chicken With Pepita Sauce Recipes

CHICKEN PEPITA MOLE

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine cajun spice, finely ground pepitas and cracked black pepper; coat both sides of the chicken tenders "well"; set aside.
• You will need to make sure to "rub" the spice into the chicken.
• Heat pan on medium low; add 4 tablespoons grapeseed oil.
• Add chicken for about 50 second each side; set aside on a paper towel to drain.
• NOTE The coated chicken WILL cook VERY quickly and is best to use caution to lower the heat than to have it burn.
• Lower heat to low; add to oil... chilli, cumin, cinnamon and any leftover combination mixture of cajun spice, ground pepitas and cracked black pepper; stir for about 3 - 4 minutes.
• NOTE The pan does "smoke.
• If you have ANY concerns re your pan "smoking", simply remove pan from the stove top; making sure to keep stirring. When your confidence returns, simply return it to the stove top until you are happy with the coloring.
• If the spices soak up all of the oil, you may need to add more oil.
• You WILL want to "continuously" stir the spices in oil as they DO burn easily. Do not say you have not been warned! lol.
• With heat on low, add dark chocolate and stir; combining it with the spices "well.".
• When the dark chocolate is fully melted, add diced tomatoes; stirring until combined.
• Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
• I like chicken bites, so I cut my chicken before returning it to the pan and simmered for an additional 10 minutes. Olé!

CHICKEN IN GREEN PUMPKIN-SEED SAUCE

Steps:

• For chicken:
• Bring all ingredients to boil in large pot. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered until chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes. Transfer chicken to bowl; cover to keep warm. Reserve chicken broth in pot; spoon off fat from surface.
• Meanwhile, begin sauce:
• Heat heavy large skillet over medium-low heat. Add pepitas; stir frequently until seeds puff and begin to pop, about 15 minutes (do not brown). Transfer to dish; cool. Set aside 2 tablespoons pepitas for garnish. Working in batches, finely grind remaining pepitas with peppercorns in spice mill or coffee grinder.
• Puree tomatillos, next 5 ingredients, and 1/2 cup reserved chicken broth in blender until almost smooth. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add tomatillo mixture and simmer until sauce is thick and reduced to 1 cup, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
• Heat remaining 4 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add ground pepita mixture. Stir constantly until mixture resembles very coarse paste and begins to color in spots, about 9 minutes. Add tomatillo mixture; stir 1 minute. Add 2 cups reserved chicken broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until sauce is thick, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes longer. Season sauce to taste with salt. Spoon some sauce onto platter. Top with chicken. Spoon remaining sauce over. Garnish with reserved 2 tablespoons pepitas.