West African Lemon Marinated Chicken Recipes

SENEGALESE POULET YASSA

Steps:

• Prepare the marinade by combining the lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, 2 tbsp oil, minced garlic, bouillon powder, minced habanero, ginger powder, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Mix well and set aside.
• Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl, and add the onion slices, bay leaves, and the marinade. Mix well, then cover with a tight-fitting lid or a plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours, preferably overnight.
• When ready to cook, remove chicken pieces from the marinade (save the marinade).
• Add 2-3 tablespoons of oil to a pan, and brown the chicken on both sides for 7-10 minutes on medium heat (don't crowd the pan). Remove from heat and set aside.
• Scoop out the onions from the marinade (don't discard the marinade) and fry the onions until they are well reduced - about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add the browned chicken, remaining marinade, and chicken stock or water to the onion-based cooking pot. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking for 15 to 20 more minutes or until the chicken is tender and the sauce is well reduced to your preference.
• Stir in the olives and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.
• Garnish with parsley if desired and serve over rice or mashed potatoes.

CHICKEN WITH BLACK PEPPER LEMON MARINADE

Steps:

• In a shallow glass baking dish combine fresh lemon juice with olive oil, garlic and crushed peppercorns. Mix together with a fork. Place chicken breasts in baking dish and turn several times to coat with mixture. Let marinate for 30 minutes. Heat an indoor iron grill pan or outdoor grill until very hot. Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until cooked through.

WEST AFRICAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat oil in a heavy pan and fry chicken and onion until golden.
• Add curry powder and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously.
• Add remaining ingredients, bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

PERI PERI AFRICAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the paprika, chili powder, lemon juice, garlic, ginger and salt. Rub chicken with the mixture, place in a dish, and marinate for 3 hours.
• Preheat a grill for medium heat.
• Place chicken onto the grill and discard the marinade. Cook for about 30 minutes, turning occasionally, until the skin is slightly charred and juices run clear.

SESAME-LEMON MARINATED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Wash chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.
• In a gallon-size zip-lock plastic bag, combine the lemon juice with the next seven (7) ingredients. Add the chicken; turn the sealed bag to coat and marinate in the refrigerator for eight (8) hours (best overnight); turn occasionally.
• Remove chicken from the marinade; reserving marinade.
• Pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepot; bring to a boil. Reduce the cooking flame; simmer for two (2) minutes. Set aside.
• Coat the grill rack with cooking spray; place chicken on preheated grill over medium heat. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over chicken.
• Grill chicken until it is fork tender and juices run clear, turning occasionally and brushing frequently with marinade.

WEST AFRICAN LEMON MARINATED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large baking dish, combine the onion, garlic, chile, salt, ginger, and black pepper. Stir in the lemon juice, 1 c water, and 1 tbsp oil. Coat the chicken pieces in marinade and refrigerate at least 4 hours. Turn pieces every half hour or so.
• Remove chicken from marinade, and reserve the marinade. Pat the pieces dry. In a skillet, heat the remaining 4 tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken, a few pieces a t a time, turning frequently to brown evenly. Pour off all but 2 tbsp oil from the skillet and remove it from heat.
• Using the back of a spoon, press the marinade through a fine sieve set over a bowl. Reheat the oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the solids fron the sieve and stir constantly until the onion is transparent.
• Return chicken to skillet and add 1/2 c strained marinade and the remaining 1/4 c water. Bring mixture to a boil. Partly cover pand and reduce heat. Simmer 25 minutes, or until chicken is tender.