Roasted Chicken With Pumpkin Seed Salsa Recipes

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH PUMPKIN SEED SALSA

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Combine 2 tablespoons of the oil with the cumin, coriander, 2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spiced oil all over the chicken pieces and place on a foil-lined shallow-rimmed baking sheet. Roast until the chicken is golden brown and crisp and a thermometer inserted into the thickest parts registers 165 degrees F, about 45 minutes.
• 2. Meanwhile, toast the pepitas in a large dry skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Cool and coarsely chop. Transfer to a medium bowl, add the cilantro, lime juice, chiles, onions, remaining 2 tablespoons oil and 3/4 teaspoon salt and toss together.
• 3. Arrange the chicken pieces on a platter and serve with the bowl of salsa on the side, accompanied by Mexican rice and black beans.

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH POMEGRANATE SALSA

Steps:

• Cut off a thin slice from the top and bottom of the orange and place cut-side down on a cutting board. Cut off the rind and any white pith. Working over a small bowl, cut between the membranes to remove the orange segments, letting them fall into the bowl; squeeze the juice from the membranes into the bowl.
• Put the chicken in a large bowl and season all over with salt and pepper. Add 2 tablespoons of the orange juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, the pomegranate molasses, garlic, coriander and red pepper flakes; toss well. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 400˚ F. Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with foil. Place the chicken skin-side up in the dish; scrape the remaining marinade out of the bowl and drizzle around the chicken. Let sit at room temperature while the oven preheats.
• Roast the chicken until the skin is tight and browning in spots, 35 to 40 minutes. Baste the chicken with the pan drippings (add a little water if the pan seems dry) and roast 10 more minutes. Baste again and continue roasting until the chicken is very tender and the skin is browned and glazed, 5 to 10 more minutes.
• Chop the orange segments and return to the bowl. Add the pomegranate seeds, parsley and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil; season with salt and pepper and toss. Transfer the chicken to a platter. Spoon off the fat from the drippings, then drizzle the chicken with the remaining drippings. Top with the pomegranate salsa.

CHICKEN IN PUMPKIN SEED SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the chicken in a pot with just enough water to cover. Sprinkle with salt, and add the peppercorns, bay leaves, quartered onion and herb bundle. Bring to a low boil, and then reduce the heat and poach the chicken until cooked through, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the chicken, straining the stock, and then wipe the pot clean and return to the heat. Peel the skin off the chicken breasts and cover to keep warm until the sauce is ready. Dry toast the pumpkin seeds over medium heat until puffed and toasted, 4 to 5 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup of the toasted seeds for garnish. Puree the remaining seeds in a blender or food processor with 1 cup of the stock, the chopped onion, EVOO, cumin, epazote, if using, cinnamon, tomatillos, lettuce, garlic and chiles. Transfer the pumpkin seed puree to the pot with 2 1/2 to 3 cups of the reserved chicken stock and simmer to develop flavor and thicken, 20 minutes. Adjust the seasonings. Pour the sauce over the chicken and garnishreserved toasted pumpkin seeds. Serve with warm corn tortillas, for wrapping, and minced red onion, for topping. If you would like to serve with a vegetable, steamed or sauteed zucchini is perfect.