Ancho Grilled Chicken Breasts With Roasted Poblano Salsa Recipes

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH CREAMY POBLANO SAUCE

Steps:

• Light your charcoal or gas grill and prepare it for direct grilling over medium-high heat.
• Once the grill is nice and hot, place the poblano peppers over the hottest part of the grill. We want to blister the skin all over. This part is impossible to screw up and I find it strangely therapeutic.
• Once the peppers are blistered all over, transfer them to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap or a towel for about 10 minutes. The steam will continue to work on the skins and make the pepper nice and tender.
• After 10 minutes covered, scrape away the blackened skin and discard.
• Remove the tops and seeds from the roasted poblano peppers and then slice the peppers into 1/4 inch slices.
• Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a pan and heat to medium.
• Cook the onions for around 8 minutes, until soft, then add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.
• Add the dried oregano, pepper slices and whipping cream, reducing the heat to medium-low.
• Stir constantly and cook until the whipping cream thickens, around 8 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and carefully transfer the poblano sauce to a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth.
• Now that the roasted poblano cream sauce is done, brush the chicken breasts with a little olive oil and then season with salt and pepper.
• Grill the chicken breasts over medium-high heat until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees at the thickest point of the breast.
• Serve the chicken with the poblano cream sauce and watch everyone lick the plates.

ANCHO CHICKEN BREAST WITH BLACK BEANS, BELL PEPPERS & SCALLIONS

Steps:

• To prepare beans: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cumin seeds; cook, stirring, until fragrant and starting to brown, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Stir in beans, lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook until hot, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and mash with a potato masher until mostly smooth. Refrigerate 1/2 cup of the mashed beans for another use (see Tips, below). Cover the remaining beans to keep warm.
• To prepare chicken & vegetables: Position rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler to high. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil.
• Toss scallions and bell peppers in a large bowl with 1 1/2 tablespoons oil and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Broil, stirring twice, until the vegetables are charred, 8 to 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place chicken between 2 large pieces of plastic wrap. Pound with the smooth side of a meat mallet or a heavy saucepan to an even 1/2-inch thickness. Combine chile powder, cinnamon, cocoa, brown sugar and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Brush both sides of the chicken with the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and coat both sides with the spice mixture.
• Coat a large grill pan or skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and add half the chicken. Cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 165 degrees F, 2 to 4 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining chicken, reducing the heat if necessary.
• Place about 2/3 cup of the beans on each of 4 dinner plates and top each portion with scallions, bell peppers and chicken.

POBLANO AND PEPPER JACK-STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH ANCHO CHILE CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• For the poblano and pepper jack-stuffed chicken breasts: Roast the poblano peppers over an open flame until completely charred, transfer to a plastic bag and seal for 10 minutes. Peel the charred skin, remove all the seeds and cut each pepper in half.
• Meanwhile, put chicken breasts on a cutting board and pound with a meat mallet to 1/4-inch thickness. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the oil, heat, then add the chicken and cook until the first side is golden-brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip and cook until the second side is golden-brown, another 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast until just cooked through, about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the ancho chile cream sauce: Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan and cook until reduced by 1/3. Add the Cajun spice and ancho chile powder and simmer for another minute or so. Keep warm.
• When the chicken is done, cut each piece into 2 equal halves. Lay one piece in the centers of 2 dinner plates and top each with 2 poblano halves, 1 piece of pepper jack, and another piece of chicken. Pour half of the Ancho Chile Cream Sauce over the tops and serve immediately.

SEARED CHICKEN WITH APRICOT SAUCE

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. Pound with a rolling pin, meat mallet or heavy skillet until flattened to an even thickness, about 1/2 inch. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Place flour in a shallow dish. Dredge the chicken in the flour, shaking off excess. (Discard any leftover flour.)
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and no longer pink in the center, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate, cover and keep warm. (If necessary, cook the chicken in two batches with an additional 1 tablespoon oil.)
• Off the heat, add wine and shallot to the pan. Return to medium heat and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until slightly reduced, about 3 minutes. Add apricots and cook until the fruit begins to break down, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in preserves, tarragon and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Return the chicken to the pan and cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve the chicken with the sauce.

SPICE-RUBBED CHICKEN BREAST TACOS WITH GRILLED POBLANOS, BBQ ONIONS AND COLESLAW

Steps:

• Heat the grill to high.
• Brush the poblanos with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the chiles on the grill and cook until charred on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove from the grill, place in a bowl and cover with plastic for 10 minutes. Remove the skin, seeds and stem and cut into thin slices.
• Brush the onions with oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on the grill and cook until lightly golden brown and just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Brush with some of the bbq sauce during the last few minutes. Most of the skin should come off on the grill, but if not, take it off when the onions come off the grill.;
• Whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, celery salt, celery seed, vinegar and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add the cabbage, carrot, onion and scallion and stir to combine, season with more salt and pepper, if needed. Let slaw sit at least 15 minutes before serving.
• Heat the grill to high.
• Whisk together the ancho, cinnamon, cumin, brown sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and black pepper in a small bowl.
• Season top side of the breasts with the rub mixture, turn over and season the back with the remaining salt. Drizzle with some of the oil and place on the grill, rub side down and grill until lightly golden brown and a crust has formed, about 3 minutes. Turn the chicken over, close the lid and continue cooking until just cooked through, about 6 minutes longer. Remove from the grill and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.
• Grill the flour tortillas briefly, just to mark and heat. To build the tacos, fold each tortilla around some of the chicken, poblanos, onions, coleslaw and guacamole.
• Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper.

CHICKEN WITH POBLANO PEPPERS AND CREAM

Steps:

• Peppers: Roast the poblano peppers until all sides are blackened. If you have a gas stove, place them right on the burner over medium-low heat, turning and re-positioning until the are blistered and black on all sides. If not, place directly under a broiler or on a grill. Put into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap so they can steam for 5-10 minutes before peeling. Cut and proceed with the recipe or refrigerate until needed.
• Chicken: Let the chicken come to temperature on the counter for about 20 minutes. Place a stainless steal or non-stick skillet and 2 teaspoons of the oil over medium high heat (NOT A CAST IRON SKILLET.) Blot the chicken dry, massage with the remaining teaspoon of oil and season with salt and pepper. When pan is hot, cook the chicken 4-6 minutes per side or until an instant read thermometer registers 160. Remove the chicken to a plate and tent with foil.
• Sauce: Turn the heat down to medium and saute the onions and garlic for about 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and add the wine. Place the pan back over the heat and cook until most of the wine has evaporated, scraping up any browned bits left from the chicken. Add the cream, poblano peppers and cumin. Cook until the cream has thickened to your liking keeping in mind that it will become even thicker as it cools. Taste the sauce and adjust salt and pepper as necessary. Serve over the chicken.
• Variation: If you'd like, add the cooked onion and garlic, poblano peppers and cream to a blender and blend until smooth. Return to the pan, add the cumin and cook until thickened. If it becomes too thick, add a little chicken broth. Salt and pepper to taste.

ANCHO GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH ROASTED POBLANO SALSA

Steps:

• Bone and skin the chicken breasts.
• Combine the chile powder, salt, and oregano and sprinkle all over the chicken.
• Drizzle with the olive oil and set aside to marinate for 30 min or up to 2 hours.
• Prepare a moderately hot fire in a gas or charcoal grill.
• Roast the fresh chiles ove the hottest part of the fire until the skins are throughly blistered.
• Remove to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
• Let steam for 15 min or so; this will loosen the skin.
• Roast the tomatoes and green onions on a cooler part of the grill until the tomato skins begin to brown and burst.
• Chop the tomatoes and onions, and combine in a bowl.
• When the chiles are cool enough to handle, remove the skins.
• Split the chiles open and remove the seeds.
• Taste a bit of chile, including the ribs (which is the hottest part of the chile), and decide how much of the ribs you want to include in the salsa.
• Dice the chiles and add them to the tomatoes.
• Season well with salt and citrus juice to taste.
• Grill the chicken breasts over a moderately hot fire until springy to the touch and juices run clear when pierced, about 15-20 minute.
• To check for doneness, remove to a cutting board, let stand a minute or two, then split lengthwise. If halves need a little more cooking, grill with the cut side down.
• Arrange on plates and garnish with the salsa.

GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH ANCHO CHILE SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the chile sauce and reserve. Then, make a hot fire in an outdoor grill or, alternatively, preheat an oven broiler or stovetop grill pan. 2. Lay the chicken breasts on a platter. In a small bowl, mash the garlic, salt, oil, and pepper together to make a paste. Rub the mixture all over the chicken. 3. When the outdoor grill fire, broiler, or grill pan is hot, grill the chicken, turning once or twice, about 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until well marked from the grill and no longer pink inside at the thickest part. To serve, reheat the sauce, spoon over the grilled chicken, and sprinkle with the chopped cilantro.From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.