Grilled Tomatillo Chicken Recipes

GRILLED BASIL CHICKEN AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• For marinade, place first five ingredients in a blender. Cut 4 tomatoes into quarters and add to blender; cover and process until blended. Halve remaining tomatoes for grilling., In a bowl, combine chicken and 2/3 cup marinade; refrigerate, covered, 1 hour, turning occasionally. Reserve remaining marinade for serving., Drain chicken, discarding marinade. Place chicken on an oiled grill rack over medium heat. Grill chicken, covered, until a thermometer reads 165°, 4-6 minutes per side. Grill tomatoes, covered, over medium heat until lightly browned, 2-4 minutes per side. Serve chicken and tomatoes with reserved marinade.

CUMIN-CRUSTED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH GRILLED TOMATILLO SALSA

Steps:

• 1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs and oil. Toss to coat the thighs evenly. Transfer the thighs to a platter and sprinkle evenly on all sides with the cumin rub. Set aside at room temperature.
• 2. Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for indirect grilling over medium heat; the temperature inside the grill should be 350°-375°F (180°-190°C). If using charcoal, bank the lit coals on either side of the grill bed, leaving a strip in the center without heat, and place a drip pan in the center. If using gas, preheat the burners, then turn off 1 or more of the burners to create a cooler zone. Brush and oil the grill grate.
• 3. To make the salsa, place the tomatillos and chile over the direct-heat area of the grill. (You'll probably need a grill screen for the chile or you'll lose it through the grate.) Cook, turning as needed, until well charred on all sides, about 3 minutes. Transfer the tomatillos and chile to a blender, add the lime juice and oil, and pulse until combined but still chunky. Transfer to a bowl, fold in the cilantro, and season with salt. You should have about 2 cups (16 fl oz/500 ml). (The salsa can be made up to 1 week in advance and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• 4. Place the thighs, meaty side down, over the indirect-heat area of the grill. Cook, turning once, until the thighs are nicely grill-marked on both sides and firm to the touch and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh away from bone registers 170°F (77°C), 10-15 minutes on each side.
• 5. Transfer the thighs to a platter and let rest for 10 minutes. Serve at once with the tomatillo salsa.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH TOMATILLO SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat broiler or coals for the chicken. Wipe the chicken dry with paper towels and squeeze on the juice of the lime or lemon. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake the garlic in its skin until soft (about 10 minutes). Peel.
• Meanwhile, grill the chicken until cooked. While it is cooking make the sauce. Chop the tomatillos and place them in a skillet with the chili, sugar, wine and vinegar. Cook until soft, stirring frequently. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the garlic and mash into the sauce. Pour the mixture into a food processor. Add the coriander leaves (setting a few aside for garnishing) and puree. Pour the mixture into a saucepan.
• When the chicken is cooked, place on a serving dish. Heat the sauce, and swirl in the butter. Pour into a sauceboat and sprinkle with remaining coriander. Serve separately.

GRILLED TOMATILLO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Grill chicken breasts, covered, over medium heat for 4-7 minutes on each side or until meat thermometer reads 170˚.
• Top chicken with cheese and cook until melted.
• While chicken is cooking, prepare sauce.
• In a large skillet, saute onion in oil until tender.
• Add tomatillos, lime juice, jalapenos and garlic and cook for 3 minutes longer.
• Stir in cilantro, cumin, salt and pepper.
• Remove from heat and top chicken with sauce over hot rice. Add a dollop of sour cream if desired.