Basque Chicken Yassa 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.

BASQUE CHICKEN YASSA

Steps:

• Mix the lemon juice, the vinegar, half the oil, the onions and pour on
• the chicken pieces in a bowl. Marinate overnight, or longer.
• Remove the chicken and the onions from the marinade. Brown the chicken on both sides. Remove and set aside.
• Fry the onions in the remaining oil for a few minutes.
• Add the marinade, thyme, hot pepper, water and bay leaves. Simmer on medium heat for about 10 minutes. Return the chicken to the sauce and cook until done, about 30 minutes.

CHICKEN YASSA

Steps:

• In a large nonreactive bowl, prepare a marinade by mixing the lemon juice, onions, salt, pepper, minced chile, and 4 tbsp of the peanut oil.
• Place the chicken pieces in the marinade, making sure that they are all well covered. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the chicken to marinate for at least 3 hours in the refrigerator.
• Preheat the broiler.
• Remove the chicken pieces, reserving the marinade and onions, and place the chicken in a shallow pan. Broil the chicken until it is lightly browned on both sides.
• Remove the onions from the marinade.
• Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a 5 quart pot or dutch oven and cook the onions slowly until tender and translucent.
• Add the reserved marinade. When liquid is thoroughly heated, add the chicken pieces, pricked chile, olives, carrots, mustard, and water.
• When the dish has reached the desired degree of hotness, remove the chile and reserve (it can be served separately to the chile heads).
• Stir to mix well, then bring the yassa slowly to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
• Serve hot over white rice.