Pomegranate Glazed Chicken Thighs With Barley Risotto Recipes

POMEGRANATE-GLAZED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Bring pomegranate juice and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan over high, and cook, whisking occasionally, until reduced by half, about 16 minutes. Whisk together 2 tablespoons water and cornstarch in a small bowl; add to pomegranate mixture. Boil, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 1 minute. Remove from heat; whisk in mustard and butter until smooth.
• Meanwhile, heat a grill pan over medium-high. Season chicken with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Brush 1 tablespoon oil on pan. Cook chicken until browned, about 6 minutes. Turn and cook until a thermometer inserted in thickest portion registers 165°F, about 6 minutes, turning if necessary to prevent burning. Remove from pan; cover to keep warm.
• Place quinoa, pistachios, pomegranate arils, chopped mint, remaining 1 tablespoon oil, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl; stir until combined. Divide quinoa mixture and chicken among 4 plates. Spoon 2 tablespoons pomegranate sauce over each serving; garnish with mint leaves.

POMEGRANATE GLAZED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH BARLEY RISOTTO

Steps:

• Chicken Thighs Heat an oven ready skillet to medium high heat. Add oil and sauté until chicken until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side. Mix together juice, honey, vinegar, ginger, salt and pepper in a small saucepan. Reduce sauce, about 8-10 minutes. Pour sauce over chicken, turning to coat. Bake 350 degrees for 10 minutes (internal temperature 165° F). Place risotto on serving platter topped with chicken and garnished with pomegranate seeds. Risotto Bring the water and vegetable stock to a low boil in a saucepan and remove from heat. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat and cook onions and garlic until the onion is tender about 2 minutes. Stir in the barley and cook 1 minute until lightly toasted. Add wine and cook until absorbed. Stir in 1 cup of the boiling vegetable broth; continue stirring until the barley has absorbed the liquid. Repeat this process until all broth has been used. When finished, the barley should be tender, yet slightly firm, about 45 minutes. Stir in the cream, butter and Parmesan cheese and mix until butter melts. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

TEA-SMOKED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH POMEGRANATE GLAZE

Steps:

• Zest one orange and peel other; set zest and peels aside. Cut oranges in half and squeeze juice through wire mesh strainer into a bowl. Reserve juice.
• Scatter orange peels, tea, star anise and cinnamon around center of bottom of smoker. Cover with drip tray and wire rack. Arrange thighs on rack and season generously with pepper and salt. Place on stove over medium heat and after first wisp of smoke appears, cover tightly with lid. Smoke for 20 to 25 minutes. Shut off heat and rest for 5 minutes with lid on.
• While chicken is smoking, combine zest, hoisin, pomegranate molasses and sriracha in a small bowl. Add about half reserved juice, more if sauce is too thick. Set glaze aside.
• Pour oil in a nonstick or well-seasoned cast-iron pan over medium high heat. When hot, add chicken, and cook about three minutes per side. Reduce heat to medium low, brush both sides of chicken with glaze, and cook for another few minutes until crisp. Serve immediately, with extra sauce on the side.