Cocoa Chili Rubbed Chicken Recipes

CHICKEN WITH COCOA RUB

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Place a heavy-bottom, ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Combine rub ingredients, brown sugar through olive oil, in a food processor until smooth, about 1 minute.
• Spray chicken with cooking spray and place in skillet (with the side that has the skin removed facing down). Cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and flip chicken and coat the browned side with cocoa mixture. Place skillet in oven and cook until chicken is cooked through, about 15-20 more minutes.

COCOA RUB

Steps:

• Stir the salt, cocoa powder, white sugar, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, and black pepper in a small bowl until combined. Store in an airtight container.
• To use, rub 2 to 3 teaspoons of the spice mixture onto a serving of meat, and let stand at least 10 minutes before cooking.

RING OF FIRE GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Put the chicken pieces in a 1-gallon zip-top bag with the water, honey, and salt. Seal the bag and move around vigorously for 1 to 2 minutes to distribute the honey and dissolve the salt. Set the bag in a leakproof container and refrigerate for 1 1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, combine the curry powder, chili powder, cocoa powder, adobo powder, cumin, and hot smoked paprika in another 1-gallon zip-top bag.
• Thoroughly drain the chicken, and pat very dry with paper towels. Do not rinse.
• Put the chicken in the bag with the spice mixture and shake to thoroughly coat the chicken. Lay the pieces on a wire rack set inside a half sheet pan. Rest for 30 minutes.
• Spritz 2 pieces of newspaper lightly with vegetable oil and put in the bottom of a charcoal chimney starter. Fill the chimney starter with natural chunk charcoal, 2 to 3 pounds, and set on the bottom grate of a kettle grill. Light the paper and heat until the coals are hot and ashy, 15 to 20 minutes. Prepare a ring of heavy-duty aluminum foil with the center 9 inches in diameter. Put this ring over the chimney starter and lay on the charcoal grate.
• Carefully and evenly distribute the hot charcoal outside the ring. Set an aluminum pie pan in the center of the ring to catch any drippings. Set the cooking grate in place and heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Lightly oil the cooking grate. Arrange the chicken pieces, skin side down, on the grate over the hot coals. Turn the legs a quarter turn every 3 to 4 minutes. Turn the thighs, wings, and breasts after 4 to 5 minutes. Skin should blister and darken in color. Adjust intensity of heat by turning the grill grate to expose chicken pieces to cooler or hotter coals as needed and to avoid flare-ups.
• After 9 to 10 minutes total cook time, move the breast to the center of the grill and cover with a second aluminum pie pan. After 1 more minute, put the wings on top of the pie pan. Lean the thighs and legs against the side of the aluminum pie pan away from the direct heat of the coals. Turn every 2 minutes. Put any pieces that finish cooking on top of the pan. After 18 to 20 minutes total cook time, check the temperature with an instant-read thermometer inserted in the deepest part of each piece. The pieces should reach 155ºF.
• Remove the chicken to a clean bowl. Cover with a tea towel and rest 5 minutes.
• To serve, place the breast on a cutting board with the narrow end facing you and slice, leaving a small piece of meat connected at the wing end so that the meat can be fanned on the plate. Or, simply pick it up with your fingers and dig in.

FRIED CHILI CHICKEN

Steps:

• Cut the chicken into serving pieces. The breast pieces should be cut in half. Place the chicken in a bowl and cover with the buttermilk overnight.
• In a medium size bowl, combine the flour, paprika, cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
• Heat enough oil to a depth of about 3/4-inch in a large heavy skillet. When the oil is medium hot dip the chicken pieces in the flour mixture and fry, without crowding the chicken. If necessary, use 2 skillets or fry in batches.
• Reduce the heat to medium and fry until the coating becomes a deep golden brown, turning the chicken as needed. The white meat should be done in 20 to 25 minutes, dark meat in about 35 minutes. Juices should run clear when the chicken is pricked with a fork. Squeeze lime juice over the chicken 10 minutes before it is done. Drain chicken on paper towels.

CHILI RUBBED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Wash and pat dry chicken and refrigerate. In a food processor, blend the chipotles, cilantro, olive oil, garlic, onion, jalapeno, salt, and pepper. Rub the chili mixture all over the chicken, inside and out. Season with salt and pepper, inside and out. Roast for about 35 to 45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear. Allow the chicken to rest 15 minutes before cutting.

CHILI-RUBBED PAN-ROASTED CHICKEN WITH FRESH TOMATO SALSA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and heat until shimmering. Season the chicken with chili powder and salt, to taste. Lay the chicken in the skillet skin side down and cook until brown, about 4 minutes. Turn the chicken, transfer the pan to the oven, and cook until firm, basting occasionally with the pan drippings, 15 to 20 minutes.
• While the chicken cooks, make the fresh tomato salsa: Toss the tomatoes with the jalapeno, onion, and the 1/2 teaspoon salt. Smash the garlic clove, sprinkle with the remaining salt, and, with the flat side of a large knife, mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste. Stir the paste into the salsa with the olive oil and 1/4 cup of cilantro.
• When chicken is cooked through, transfer the pieces to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm. In the meantime, add the lime juice to the pan. After 1 minute, add the honey along with the chicken stock to heat through. Remove pan from heat and stir in reserved 1/4 cup cilantro and butter.
• To serve, divide the chicken among 4 plates, drizzle with pan sauce, and spoon some salsa over and around.

CHILI-RUBBED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, and paprika, plus salt and pepper to taste. Rub chicken all over with the chili mix.
• Add olive oil to a large cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet, and swirl to cover bottom. Add onion rounds in a single layer, then thyme. Add chicken, skin side up. Transfer to oven, and bake until the chicken has cooked through, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Let chicken cool slightly. Using your fingers, remove the bones. Slice each breast, crosswise, into four or five pieces. Serve with the roasted onion rounds and thyme.

COCOA CHILI RUB

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a covered jar or ziploc bag and shake to evenly blend.
• Rub on pork chops, pork tenderloin, or chicken legs or thighs. I find this a little too rich for beef but if you feel adventurous, go for it!
• This recipe makes enough for two small whole pork tenderloins or 6-8 chops.
• Rub meat with blended spices and allow at least two hours to marinate before grilling or broiling.

DOLLY PARTON'S COCOA RUB

Steps:

• Mix together and use prior to grilling chicken and steaks.
• Store the spice mixture in an airtight container; can be stored for up to 1 month.
• Also is good stirred into chili and thick soups!

CHILI-RUBBED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Mix salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder, cayenne cumin, and coriander.
• Rinse chicken; pat dry with paper towels, rub spice mixture on all sides of chicken pieces.
• Let stand 1 to 2 hours.
• Grill chicken over low to medium fire, turning often, 35 to 45 minutes, until chicken tests done.