CHICKEN IN GREEN CHILE SAUCE

Chicken in Green Chile Sauce image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h5m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 1/2 cups hulled green pumpkin seeds (about 7 ounces)
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
6 black peppercorns
4 allspice berries
3 cloves
1 pound fresh tomatillos or a 28-ounce can tomatillos
6 fresh serrano chilies
1/2 large white onion
4 garlic cloves
1/2 cup packed coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Kosher salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 cups chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium canned
6 cups cooked, shredded chicken
Garnish: chopped toasted hulled pumpkin seeds and chopped fresh coriander leaves

Steps:

Heat a large heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot and toast pumpkin seeds, stirring constantly, until they have expanded and begin to pop, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer seeds to a plate to cool. In skillet heat sesame and cumin seeds, peppercorns, allspice, and cloves, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute, and transfer to the plate. When seeds and spices are cool, grind them in batches in a clean electric spice/coffee grinder.
If using fresh tomatillos, discard husks and rinse with warm water to remove stickiness. Stem serrano chilies. In a saucepan simmer fresh tomatillos and serranos in salted water to cover 10 minutes. (If using canned tomatillos, drain them and leave serranos uncooked.) Transfer tomatillos and serranos (use a slotted spoon if simmered) to a blender and puree with onion, garlic, 1/4 cup cilantro and salt until completely smooth.
Heat the oil in a 5-quart heavy pot over medium-high heat. Pour in the tomatillo puree and cook, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Add 2 1/2 cups of the broth and stir in the powdered pumpkin-seed mixture. Simmer sauce, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes.
In blender, puree 1/2 cup broth and remaining 1/4 cup cilantro until completely smooth. Stir puree and chicken into sauce and heat until hot.
Transfer the chicken mixture to a bowl or plate and garnish with pumpkin seeds and cilantro.