Better Than Fried Southwestern Chicken Recipes

EASY SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine cumin, salt, dried chipotle pepper, and paprika in a large, resealable plastic bag. Seal bag and shake to mix. Measure 2 teaspoons of the seasoning into a large bowl; add diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, black beans, and corn to the bowl and stir.
• Put chicken in the bag with the remaining seasoning; shake to coat.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Turn seasoned chicken out into the skillet, add red onion, and saute in the hot oil until the chicken is browned, about 5 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium-high. Stir tomato mixture with the chicken; bring to a boil, add rice, and stir.
• Reduce heat to low. Sprinkle Cheddar cheese over the chicken mixture. Place a cover on the skillet and simmer until the rice is tender and the chicken no longer pink in the middle, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

SOUTHWEST PAN FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together all of the spices. Pour the oil into a large stainless or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Generously sprinkle the chicken all over with the spices. Use your hands to rub it into the skin. Place the chicken in the hot skillet, skin side down. Cook uncovered* for about 20-25 minutes. Let the pieces cook until the fat has rendered and the skin is deep golden brown and crisp; this could take as long as 30 minutes. Reduce the heat as needed if the skin starts to burn before it is evenly golden brown.
• (If you are cooking drumsticks, I like to cook them for 15-20 minutes, then turn a third of the way over and cook another 15 minutes and then turn the final third of the way over and let them finish cooking for about 15 minutes more.) When the meat closest to the bone is cooked through, the chicken is done. Enjoy!

BETTER THAN BEST FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a shallow dish or bowl combine the soup, egg and seasoning salt (be careful, as soup is already salted); mix together. Dip chicken in mixture and turn to coat completely. Set aside.
• In a resealable plastic bag mix together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. One at a time, place chicken pieces in bag, seal and shake to coat. Add more flour and/or cornstarch as necessary, but add them in equal parts (there should be an equal amount of each in the mixture).
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Be sure to use enough oil to cover chicken pieces.
• Place coated chicken on a platter and allow to sit until it becomes doughy (this is critical, to ensure crispiness when fried). Once chicken is doughy, test oil by dropping a piece of the "dough" into it; the oil is ready when it starts to fry immediately.
• Fry chicken pieces in oil for about 7 to 10 minutes each, or until cooked through and juices run clear. Drain on paper towels and serve.

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, chili powder, salt and paprika. Rub over both sides of chicken. In a large skillet coated with cooking spray, brown chicken on both sides; drizzle with lime juice. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Coat a large nonstick frypan with cooking spray, and place over high heat until hot.
• Add chicken, stir fry 3 minutes.
• Stir in chili powder and cumin.
• Remove chicken from frypan, set aside.
• Add oil to frypan, and heat over medium high heat.
• Add green pepper strips and onion, stir fry 3 minutes.
• Return chicken to frypan and stir in corn and salsa.
• Stir fry 2 minutes more or until thoroughly heated (Alternately, thinly sliced into strips, turkey, beef or pork may be used).

SOUTHWESTERN OVEN FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine the first 7 ingredients in a small bowl; blend well. Rub the chicken pieces with 3 tablespoons of the spice mix and set aside the remaining mix.
• Place the chicken in a 9x 13 dish and let stand 10 minutes. Pour the buttermilk over the chicken, turning to coat. Cover and marinate 2 hours in the refrigerator, turning occasionally. Remove the chicken from the dish and discard the buttermilk.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Combine the remaining spice mixture, breadcrumbs, and cornmeal in a a dish and stir well. Dredge each chicken piece in the cornmeal mixture. Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.
• Bake 20 minutes 40 minutes (do not turn) or until juices run clear.