Cumin And Ancho Chicken Recipes

Steps:

• Toss chicken with ancho chile powder, cumin, and 2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl to coat. Cover and chill for 2 hours. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with a thin layer of oil. Working in batches, place thighs in skillet in a single layer (do not crowd). Cover and cook until a crust forms, about 5 minutes. Turn; cook, uncovered, until thighs are just cooked through, 3-4 minutes longer. Transfer to a platter; let rest for 5 minutes.
• Cut chicken into 1/2" cubes. Transfer with any accumulated juices to a medium bowl. Season with salt. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Let cool slightly. Cover; chill. Rewarm before serving.

Steps:

• PULSE the chicken chunks in a food processor about 6-8 times briefly to chop chicken into small pieces, *being careful not to overprocess*.
• In a large bowl, stir together the cumin powder, chili powder and salt.
• Place the chopped chicken into the bowl and toss with spices to combine well.
• Heat the coconut oil over medium-­high heat until it shimmers.
• Add chicken in a single layer and cook, undisturbed, about one minute. Stir chicken and continue to cook until chicken is cooked through, about five minutes or so, stirring often and breaking up any large chunks with your spoon.
• To serve, spoon chicken mixture onto freshly made tortillas and top with the sides of your choice.
• Note: I made tostadas using a masa mix and we enjoyed our tostadas with the garnishes listed above except I didn't have time to make tomatillo salsa. The menu: tostadas were served with freshly cooked whole black beans (very lightly seasoned with S/P), and fresh strawberries.

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, combine 6 cups water, salt, sugar, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, peppercorns, and cloves. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring gently. Once the sugar and salt have dissolved, remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to a large bowl, add the chicken, and refrigerate, covered, at least 2 hours or overnight. Bring the remaining 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat. In a medium heatproof bowl, add the ancho chiles and cover with the boiling water. Weigh down with a plate so the peppers remain under water and let them soak for 15 minutes. Remove and discard the stems when the peppers have softened.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. On a sheet tray toss the jalapenos, onion, tomatoes, garlic and cumin with 2 tablespoons oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Roast until nicely caramelized with good color, 25 to 30 minutes. Add the pumpkin seeds to a dry, hot skillet on high heat. Stir often, until the seeds are golden and begin to pop. Transfer to a food processor along with roasted vegetables. Add the soaked chiles, about 2 tablespoons of chili soaking liquid, the cilantro leaves and the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the processor. Puree until smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed.
• Remove the chicken from the refrigerator, blot dry with paper towels and put into a large Dutch oven. Pour in the mole sauce and bake, covered, until the chicken is cooked through, about 55 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer the chicken to a cutting board to cool. When cool to the touch, shred the chicken and add it back to the sauce. Spoon the mole into corn tortillas and serve with lime wedges, avocado slices, shredded lettuce, red onion, and radishes. Garnish with cilantro leaves and enjoy.

Steps:

• For the chicken: Preheat 2 cast-iron grill pans over medium heat.
• Whisk together the ancho chile powder, New Mexican chile powder, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, orange juice, lime juice and season with salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add the canola oil and whisk. Put the chicken in the marinade, turning the chicken to coat both sides.
• Grill the chicken until golden brown and slightly charred on one side, about 4 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until the chicken is cooked through, about 4 more minutes; the juices should run clear and the meat thermometer should read 165 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, for the salad: Put the avocado, onions, cilantro, salt, pepper, lime juice and olive oil in a medium bowl. Fold the ingredients with a rubber spatula, gently breaking up the avocado in the process.
• To serve: Grill the tortillas on both sides until lightly marked and warmed through, about 10 seconds per side. Then fold in half and place on the side of a serving dish.
• Place the chicken in the center of the serving dish and top with a scoop of the salad. Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice and garnish with a sprig of cilantro.