Poultry Essentials Spicy Adobo Chicken Recipes

ADOBO CHICKEN

Steps:

• For the chicken: Preheat 2 cast-iron grill pans over medium heat.
• Whisk together the ancho chile powder, New Mexican chile powder, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, orange juice, lime juice and season with salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add the canola oil and whisk. Put the chicken in the marinade, turning the chicken to coat both sides.
• Grill the chicken until golden brown and slightly charred on one side, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until the chicken is cooked through, about 4 more minutes; the juices should run clear and the meat thermometer should read 165 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, for the salad: Put the avocado, onions, cilantro, salt, pepper, lime juice and olive oil in a medium bowl. Fold the ingredients with a rubber spatula, gently breaking up the avocado in the process.
• To serve: Grill the tortillas on both sides until lightly marked and warmed through, about 10 seconds per side. Then fold in half and place on the side of a serving dish.
• Place the chicken in the center of the serving dish and top with a scoop of the salad. Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice and garnish with a sprig of cilantro.

POULTRY ESSENTIALS: SPICY ADOBO CHICKEN

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. If you have a cast-iron skillet it would be ideal for this recipe. If not, a good heavy-bottomed pan will do nicely.
• 3. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 4. Add the sauce ingredients to a blender, and blend until smooth.
• 5. You could also use a food processor, fitted with an S-blade, or an immersion blender.
• 6. Add the chicken to a large bowl, or Ziploc bag, and pour in the sauce.
• 7. Stick in the fridge for 4 - 6 hours. This will give the ingredients a chance to know each other.
• 8. Remove from the fridge and shake off a bit of the marinade.
• 9. Add the oil to a skillet over medium heat.
• 10. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the chicken.
• 11. Cook, occasionally stirring until the chicken loses it pink, about 3 - 4 minutes.
• 12. Increase heat to medium high and cook until the chicken begins to brown in spots.
• 13. There is a trick to this. You want to use a stir/stop method. You stir the chicken and then let it sit and remain in contact with the bottom of the hot pan until it begins to brown... then stir. Stir/Stop, Stir/Stop, until the chicken is cooked through and has yummy crispy bits, about 4 - 5 minutes.
• 14. You want to give the chicken plenty of room so that it browns and does not just sit there and steam. So, if you have a small skillet, you may have to do it in batches.
• 15. PLATE/PRESENT
• 16. Serve it up over rice, or as a taco filling; even a casserole. Enjoy.
• 17. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

POULTRY ESSENTIALS: SPICY GARLIC CHICKEN

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. If you have a skillet that is large enough to hold all the ingredients, you can cook it up a single pan.
• 3. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 4. Cut the chicken into strips or cubes, and sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper.
• 5. Add the butter to a skillet over medium heat.
• 6. When the butter has melted, toss in the chicken.
• 7. Turn once or twice until cooked, and starting to brown, about 4 - 5 minutes.
• 8. Remove the chicken and reserve.
• 9. Toss in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• 10. Add the red pepper, paprika, and hot sauce, then cook for an additional 30 seconds.
• 11. Add the chicken stock and scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to blend the fonds in with the sauce.
• 12. Bring up to a simmer. When the sauce begins to reduce, about 2 - 3 minutes, return the chicken to the pan, and toss to coat the chicken with the sauce.
• 13. Do a final tasting for proper seasoning.
• 14. PLATE/PRESENT
• 15. Serve up with a nice side, like mac & cheese, or maybe over some steamed rice. Enjoy.
• 16. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

POULTRY ESSENTIALS: SPICY BAKED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• PREP/PREPARE
• For this recipe, you will need a rimmed baking sheet, lined with parchment paper, and a wire rack. The rack is optional; however, it gives the chicken a crisper crust on the bottom.
• Brining the Chicken: There are times when brining is not necessary, and other times when it is advisable. When I oven back chicken, I usually brine. A standard brine for boneless, skinless chicken breast would be about 2.5 tablespoons of salt dissolved into a quart of cold water, then immerse the breast for about 45 minutes, but no more. FYI: I you do choose to brine the chicken, then do not add the salt to the spice rub.
• Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• Add all of the ingredients together for the spice rub, and reserve.
• Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 425f (220c).
• Cut the chicken in half, lengthwise.
• Coat with the grapeseed oil, and sprinkle the spice rub on both sides of the chicken.
• Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, fitted with a wire rack (if using).
• Place into the preheated oven, and bake until cooked through, and the spices are nice and brown, about 18 - 22 minutes.
• PLATE/PRESENT
• Rest the chicken for about 5 minutes, then slice and serve. Enjoy.
• Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

POULTRY ESSENTIALS: SPICY CHICKEN FRY

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. THE SAUCE
• 3. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 4. Place all the ingredients for the sauce in a small pan over medium heat.
• 5. Bring up to a light simmer, allow to cook for 5 minutes, then cover and reserve.
• 6. Chef's Note: Lower the heat just enough to keep it warm, but there should be no movement in the pan.
• 7. Chef's Note: You could make this sauce a day or two in advance, and then warm it up when it's needed.
• 8. THE CHICKEN
• 9. Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
• 10. Combine the cornstarch (or arrowroot powder), with the salt & pepper in a small bowl, and reserve.
• 11. Cut the chicken into small bite-sized pieces, and pat dry.
• 12. Toss the chicken with the coating.
• 13. Add the grapeseed oil to a large skillet over medium heat.
• 14. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the coated chicken.
• 15. Chef's Note: We don't want to crowd the chicken, so if you have a smaller pan, cook the chicken in two batches.
• 16. Gently cook the chicken, turning occasionally, until cooked, and the pieces begin to turn a golden brown, about 6 - 8 minutes.
• 17. PLATE/PRESENT
• 18. Add the chicken to a plate of rice, and then drizzle some of that yummy sauce over the top. Enjoy.
• 19. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

POULTRY ESSENTIALS: SPICY CHICKEN DUST

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. Storage of homemade condiments and spices Because homemade spices and condiments do not contain any preservatives, it is important to store them properly. Non-reactive (glass) containers with tight-fitting lids are a must. If I am making a dry spice, I love to use old spice bottles that I have run through the dishwasher. If I am doing homemade sauces, I love using Weck jars. They are all glass, come in all sizes and shapes, and have excellent leakproof lids. If you shop online, you can go to Amazon, and type in "Weck Jars" and you will find a ton of them. Dry spices should be kept in a cool space, away from sunlight (spice cabinet), and sauces, in most cases, should be stored in the fridge. If properly stored, this saucspicee should last 6 - 8 months.
• 3. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 4. Add all the spices together in a non-reactive jar, and store in a cool/dry space (spice cabinet) until needed.
• 5. PLATE/PRESENT
• 6. Sprinkle on chicken before baking or pan frying... and even have some at the table when eating. Enjoy.
• 7. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

POULTRY ESSENTIALS: SPICY, SASSY CHICKEN SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. PREP/PREPARE
• 2. You will need a medium saucepan to make this recipe, or a slow cooker.
• 3. Storage of homemade condiments and spices Because homemade spices and condiments do not contain any preservatives, it is important to store them properly. Non-reactive (glass) containers with tight-fitting lids are a must. If I am making a dry spice, I love to use old spice bottles that I have run through the dishwasher. If I am doing homemade sauces, I love using Weck jars. They are all glass, come in all sizes and shapes, and have excellent leakproof lids. If you shop online, you can go to Amazon, and type in "Weck Jars" and you will find a ton of them. Dry spices should be kept in a cool space, away from sunlight (spice cabinet), and sauces, in most cases, should be stored in the fridge. If properly stored, this sauce should keep 2 - 3 months. Assuming it lasts that long.
• 4. Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• 5. COOKING ON THE STOVETOP
• 6. Add the ingredients to a saucepan over medium heat.
• 7. Stir until the mixture comes to a simmer, about 5 minutes.
• 8. Continue to simmer until it slightly reduces and begins to thicken, about an additional 8 - 10 minutes.
• 9. COOKING IN A SLOW COOKER/INSTANT POT (MY CHOICE)
• 10. Add all of the ingredients to your slow cooker/instant pot. Seal the lid and cook on low for 4 - 6 hours.
• 11. Whatever method chosen, properly store in the fridge until needed.
• 12. PLATE/PRESENT
• 13. Serve as a dipping sauce for things like chicken tenders or dunk the cooked tenders into the sauce and serve them sticky. Enjoy.
• 14. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.