Chipotle Chicken
Ingredients:
• 1 ½ pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon adobo sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder and oregano.
3. Season chicken breasts with the spice mixture.
4. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Add chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together adobo sauce, tomato paste, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper.
7. Once chicken is cooked, transfer to a baking dish and pour the adobo sauce mixture over the chicken.
8. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.
9. Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro.
10. Serve warm. Enjoy!
Chipotle chicken is a popular dish that combines the flavors of the American Southwest with smoky and spicy Mexican-style chipotle peppers. The dish was first created in the late 1980s by Rick Bayless, the renowned Chicago-based chef and restaurateur, who was seeking to capture the flavors of Mexico in an easy-to-make dish suitable for home cooking.
Chipotle chicken typically consists of chicken thighs that have been sautéed in olive oil along with red onions, garlic, and chipotle peppers. The chicken is then simmered in a mixture of beer, chicken broth, tomatoes, oregano, cumin, and cilantro. The final result is a spicy, smoky, and flavorful dish that can be served with rice and beans, as part of tacos or burritos, or as an entree.
Tips for creating chipotle chicken:
1. Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for the best flavor and texture.
2. If you’re using canned chipotle peppers, be sure to reduce the liquid in the pan, as the peppers add a lot of moisture.
3. Simmer the chicken for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to fully develop.
4. If you want to intensify the smoky and spicy flavors of the dish, add a few tablespoons of chipotle pepper sauce or adobo sauce.
5. If the dish is too spicy, serve it with sour cream, guacamole, or other mild toppings.
Techniques for creating chipotle chicken:
1. Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add the onions and garlic and cook until the onions are softened.
3. Add the chipotle peppers and cook for 1-2 minutes.
4. Add the chicken thighs and cook until they are lightly browned.
5. Pour in the chicken broth, beer, diced tomatoes, oregano, cumin, and cilantro, and bring to a boil.
6. Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes.
7. Serve the chipotle chicken with rice, beans, tacos, burritos, or other accompaniments.