Chicken Grits Recipes

FRIED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CHEESY GRITS

Steps:

• Chicken:
• Combine buttermilk, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and paprika in a large bowl or large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken thighs, cover bowl or seal bag, and toss to coat. Chill at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours.
• Grits:
• Bring 4 cups salted water to a boil and gradually add grits, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking occasionally, until grits are very tender and creamy, 25-30 minutes. Add cream cheese and Parmesan; whisk until melted and incorporated; season with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm until ready to serve.
• Frying and assembly:
• Whisk flour, cayenne, garlic powder, paprika, and 2 tsp. salt in a medium bowl.
• Remove chicken thighs from brine, letting excess drip off. Working in batches, dredge chicken in flour mixture, occasionally dipping your fingers in brine as you pack on flour to help create moistened, shaggy bits (the makings of a super-crisp crust); transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.
• Fit a large cast-iron skillet with thermometer and heat oil until thermometer registers 350°F. Working in batches and returning oil to 350°F between batches, fry chicken thighs, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and coating is deep golden brown and crisp, 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack set inside a baking sheet and let sit while you cook the kale.
• Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add kale in large handfuls, letting it cook down slightly before adding more and tossing to coat. Season with salt and pepper and cook, tossing occasionally, until wilted and bright green, about 2 minutes. Add vinegar and 1 Tbsp. pepper jelly and toss to coat.
• Divide grits evenly among bowls and top with kale, fried chicken, and more pepper jelly.

SHREDDED BARBECUE CHICKEN OVER GRITS

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken with pepper; place in a large nonstick skillet., In a large bowl, combine 1 cup broth, barbecue sauce, molasses, chili pepper and cinnamon; pour over chicken. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165°. Shred meat with 2 forks and return to the skillet., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, bring water and remaining broth to a boil. Slowly stir in grits and pumpkin. Reduce heat; cook and stir for 5-7 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cheese until melted., Divide grits among 6 serving bowls; top each with 1/2 cup chicken mixture. Serve with tomato, sour cream, green onions and cilantro.

DEEP-FRIED CHICKEN WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• For the chicken: Fill a large heavy-bottomed high-sided skillet with enough oil to come 1/3 of the way up the sides. Place over medium heat.
• Set up a breading station by whisking together the eggs, buttermilk and hot sauce in 1 pie plate or baking dish, and stirring together the fish fry mix and Cajun seasoning in another. Dip each chicken breast in the egg mixture, and then press into the fish fry mixture, making sure it gets completely coated. Set aside while the oil is heating.
• When the oil reaches about 365 degrees F, carefully place the chicken into the oil. Fry in 2 batches so that the pot does not get overcrowded. Fry until just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oil and drain on a tray lined with paper towels.
• For the grits: In medium pot, heat the milk to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the butter. Whisk in the grits and continue to whisk until thickened. Mix in 1/2 cup cheese and continue to stir until the cheese is melted and incorporated. Remove from the heat, sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon of the remaining cheese and serve along with the fried chicken.

SPICY OVEN-FRIED CHICKEN WITH CHEESE GRITS AND CHORIZO REDUCTION

Steps:

• Pour buttermilk and hot sauce into a large bowl or zip-top bag; mix well. Add chicken and marinate for 4 hours to overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray.
• Combine bread crumbs, flour, paprika, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and chili powder in a bowl. Remove chicken from marinade and dredge in crumb mixture. Place coated chicken onto the prepared wire rack.
• Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the centers and juices run clear, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add milk, water, salt, and pepper to a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and add grits. Cook, covered, for 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent clumping. Remove from heat and add Mexican cheese and butter; stir until well incorporated and creamy.
• While chicken and grits are cooking, cook chorizo, onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno in a large skillet over medium-high heat until meat is browned and vegetables are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain grease from the skillet. Stir in garlic and continue to cook over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Stir cherry tomatoes, vegetable broth, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce into the skillet, reduce heat to low, and let simmer until reduced, stirring as needed, about 15 minutes. Add heavy cream; let simmer and continue to reduce until sauce coats a spoon, about 5 minutes more.
• Place grits into a bowl, top with chorizo reduction sauce, and top with spicy fried chicken. Garnish with Cotija cheese.

CAJUN CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CHEESY GRITS

Steps:

• Place the chicken thighs on a plate and use a fork to poke several holes in both sides of the chicken. Sprinkle with the salt on both sides. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
• To make the Cajun seasoning, stir together all ingredients in a small bowl with a lid (you will not need all of the seasoning).
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
• Puree the corn with 1/4 cup of the water in a blender or food processor until smooth. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter. Saute the green onions until soft, then add the remaining water, milk, hot sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.
• Slowly whisk the grits into the saucepan until there are no lumps. Add the pureed corn then reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, until thickened. This took about 25 minutes for me, but it may take less so pay attention.
• While the grits are cooking, preheat the olive oil in a 10-inch skillet (I used cast iron) over medium-high heat until shimmering. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and sprinkle both sides with Cajun seasoning. Don't overdo it, as this will make the chicken too salty; a fine, even layer should be plenty.
• Saute the chicken for 2-3 minutes on both sides until golden. Place the skillet in the oven and cook for 15 minutes.
• Stir the cheeses into the grits and adjust seasonings. Ladle the grits into a bowl. Slice the chicken and place on top of the grits. Serve immediately. If there are any grits left, they make a great breakfast.

CHICKEN WITH GRITS

Steps:

• Bring water and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan; stir in grits and cook according to package directions.
• Spoon grits into a greased 9-inch square baking pan; cover and chill until firm.
• Rub chicken breasts with the ground cumin.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add chicken and cook, turning, for about 12 minutes, or until brown and fork tender.
• Remove chicken from skillet and drain on paper towels; cover and keep warm.
• Invert baking pan to remove grits. Cut into 4 squares, then cut each square diagonally into 2 triangles.
• In same skillet, heat pan drippings to medium temperature.
• Add grits and sauté, turning once, about 5 minutes or until lightly brown.
• To serve:.
• Cut each chicken breast into slices.
• Place chicken slices from one breast half on each serving plate with 2 grits cakes on the side.
• Spoon Spicy Southern Salsa over the grits cakes.
• Spicy Southern Salsa.
• 1 cup corn kernels, cooked and drained.
• 1 cup black-eyed peas, cooked and drained.
• 1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped.
• 1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded, diced.
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions.
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil.
• 1 small jalapeno, seeded and finely minced.
• 1 clove garlic, minced.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

CHICKEN WITH PARMESAN GRITS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat a medium skillet over medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to skillet, skin side down, and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 15 minutes (reduce heat if chicken browns too quickly). Transfer to a plate and tent with foil. In skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium and add tomatoes, onion, and garlic. Cook until tomatoes are softened and onion is tender, 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small pot, bring 1 cup water to boil. Stir in grits and pinch of salt; cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until water is absorbed, about 7 minutes. Stir in Parmesan and 1/2 teaspoon oil; season with salt and pepper. To serve, top grits with chicken and vegetables and sprinkle with parsley.