Best Mexican Flavored Chicken Thighs By Mark Bittman Recipes

DEVILED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler to its maximum and set the rack about 4 inches from the heat. Season the chicken on both sides and place it in a pan, skin side up. Broil, watching carefully, until the skin is golden brown, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the mustard, shallot, and cayenne. (If you have a small food processor, just throw them in there and pulse the machine on and off a few times.)
• When the chicken has browned, remove it from the oven and turn it. Spread just a teaspoon or so of the mustard mixture on the underside of the chicken and broil for about 5 minutes. Turn the chicken and spread the remaining mixture on the skin side. Broil until the mustard begins to brown, about 5 minutes.
• At this point the chicken may be done (there will be only the barest trace of pink near the bone, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the meat will read 160°F). If it is not, turn off the broiler and let the chicken remain in the oven for another 5 minutes or so. Garnish with the parsley if you like and serve.
• Variations
• For extra crunch, combine the mustard and shallot with about 1 cup bread crumbs. Be especially careful in broiling, for the bread crumbs will burn very soon after they brown.
• For extra flavor, combine the mustard and shallot with about 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley (or basil, cilantro, dill, or chervil). Proceed as directed.
• You can use the same coating with pork or veal chops; they should be at least 1 inch thick. Cooking time will be about the same.

CHICKEN WITH VINEGAR (MARK BITTMAN)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450. Set large skillet (with steep sides to minimize spattering) over med-high heat. Add 2 T. oil and wait a minute. When it is good and hot, place chicken in skillet, skin side down. Cook undisturbed for about 5 minute or until nicely browned. (For breasts, it was only 4 minutes.) Turn and cook for 3 minutes on the other side. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
• Place chicken in oven. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes or untl just about done (juices run clear and there will be the barest trace of pink near bone). Transfer chicken to an ovenproof platter. Place in oven. Turn off oven and leave door slightly ajar.
• Pour off most of the cooking juices from skillet. Place over med-high heat. Add scallions. Cook, stirring, until tender about 2 minutes. Add vinegar. Raise heat to high. Cook for 1 or 2 minutes until the powerful smell has subsided somewhat. Add 1/2 cup water. Cook another 2 minutes, stirring until it's slightly reduced and somewhat thickened.
• Return chicken and any accumulated juices to skillet. Turn chicken in sauce. Serve immediately.
• Paul Bocuse Poulet au Vinaigre: In step 1, brown chicken in 1 stick butter. In step 3 add 3 T. butter to reduced vinegar sauce, stirring until it thickens.

SAUTéED CHICKEN WITH GREEN OLIVES AND WHITE WINE

Steps:

• Put oil in a deep skillet or casserole, preferably nonstick. Turn heat to medium-high. When oil is hot, add chicken, skin side down, and brown it well, rotating and turning pieces as necessary, about 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• With chicken skin side up, add wine and olives. Adjust heat so mixture simmers vigorously, 10 to 15 minutes.
• When chicken is almost done, place sliced lemon on it, and cook 2 to 3 minutes more. Arrange chicken and lemon on a platter, and stir walnuts into sauce. Taste, and adjust seasoning, then spoon sauce over chicken. Sprinkle with parsley, and serve.

CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CUMIN, CAYENNE AND CITRUS

Steps:

• Preheat a gas grill, start a wood or charcoal fire or preheat a broiler; the fire should be moderately hot, and the rack should be about 4 inches from the heat source.
• Combine the garlic, onion, oregano, cumin, cayenne, cloves, salt, pepper and oil in a blender or small food processor, and blend until fairly smooth. Add the juices, taste and adjust seasoning; the flavors should be powerful.
• Smear sauce over chicken; if time allows, marinate 30 minutes or so. Grill 6 to 8 minutes a side, or until meat is nicely browned and cooked medium or better on the inside. (Thighs with bones will take longer, about 20 minutes total.) Serve, garnished with the cilantro.

SHREDDED CHICKEN FOR TACOS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and add water to cover. Turn heat to high, bring to a boil, and skim any foam that comes to the surface.
• Partially cover and adjust heat so mixture simmers steadily. Cook until meat is very tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from liquid and cool.
• Shred meat with fingers. Taste and adjust seasonings; use within a couple of days.

DEVILED CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Heat the broiler to its maximum, and set the rack about 4 inches from the heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides, and place it in a pan, skin side up. Broil, watching carefully, until the skin is golden brown, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the mustard, shallots and cayenne. (If you have a small food processor, you can chop the shallots by throwing them in with the mustard and pulsing the machine on and off a few times.)
• When the chicken has browned, remove it from oven, and turn it. Spread just a teaspoon or so of the mustard mixture on the underside of the chicken, and broil about 5 minutes. Turn the chicken, and spread the remaining mixture on the upper, or skin side. Broil until mustard begins to brown.
• At this point, the chicken may be done. (There will be only the barest trace of pink near the bone; an instant-read thermometer inserted into the meat will read 160 degrees.) If it is not done, turn off the broiler and leave the chicken in the oven 5 more minutes or so. Garnish and serve.