Chicken Chimehuin Recipes

THE BEST CHICKEN PARMESAN

Steps:

• Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Line another rimmed baking sheet with foil. Cut two 12-inch sheets of plastic wrap.
• Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise, making 4 roughly equal pieces; they should look like large chicken tenders. Place one sheet of plastic on a clean cutting board. Put one chicken piece in the center of the plastic and top with the other sheet of plastic. Pound the chicken with the flat side of a meat mallet, starting in the center and working your way to the edges, until the chicken is 1/4-inch thick. Transfer to the wire rack. Repeat with the remaining chicken, one piece at a time. Liberally sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Put the flour in a pie plate and dredge the chicken 1 piece at a time, turning to coat and packing the flour into the crevices. Shake to remove any excess and return to the rack. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
• Whisk the breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Whisk the milk and egg in a medium bowl until combined. Dip the dredged chicken into the milk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Then pack the seasoned breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken. Very gently
• shake off any excess and return to the rack. Refrigerate uncovered at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat 1/3 cup of the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, oregano and red pepper flakes and cook until very fragrant but not brown, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, basil and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the tomatoes are very tender and the liquid has reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Smash the tomatoes with a potato masher until almost smooth; it's ok if it's a little chunky. Season with salt.
• Heat the remaining 1/2 cup oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 cutlets and cook until the coating is golden brown, about 1 minute per side; the chicken will not be cooked through. Transfer to the foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer 3 inches apart. Repeat with the remaining cutlets.
• Arrange an oven rack directly under the broiler and preheat to high. Arrange the chicken in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, spaced 3 inches apart. Top each cutlet with 2/3 cup of the sauce and spread evenly to coat. Sprinkle each cutlet with 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan and 1/2 cup mozzarella. Broil until the cheese melts and starts to brown in spots, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the spaghetti, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain and transfer to the remaining sauce. Gently stir until the sauce coats the pasta. Transfer the spaghetti to a serving dish and top with the chicken. Sprinkle with more Parmesan and serve with torn basil.

CHICKEN CHIMEHUIN

Steps:

• Using kitchen shears, split the chicken down the breastbone and open it out flat. Pat it dry with paper towels.
• Season the chicken with salt, the lemon juice, and the rosemary. Be sure to push some of the rosemary under the skin.
• Crush the garlic cloves into a coarse paste, using a mortar and pestle or a heavy knife; OR, grate the cloves with a microplane grater (which is what we do). Rub the garlic all over the bone side of the chicken, and push some under the skin. Set the bird aside while you prepare the fire. You can prepare the chicken up to this step and leave it, covered, in the fridge for as long as overnight.
• Prepare the grill coals for a medium fire. Or, heat a large, deep-ridged cast iron grill pan on the stove over medium heat, then brush the pan's ridges well with olive oil.
• Place the chicken, skin side up, on the heated grill or the grill pan and cook until it browns and crisps nicely on the first side, about 15 minutes. Turn the chicken and grill the other side until the skin is crisp and brown and the chicken is cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes longer.
• After the bird rests a few minutes, cut it into serving pieces, then sprinkle with the minced lemon confit, and serve with the parsley sauce.
• Helpful hint: To peel a whole head of garlic easily, place the separated cloves, skin on, in a large jar. Screw on the lid and shake the jar vigorously until all skins have separated from the cloves.You can also do this much more noisily by shaking the garlic in a pair of stainless steel bowls.