CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CUMIN, CAYENNE AND CITRUS

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Chicken Thighs With Cumin, Cayenne and Citrus image

Chicken thighs have a huge advantage over lean breasts. The skin browns nicely and the meat stays juicy even when thoroughly cooked, which makes them ideal for grilling or broiling. The dark, rich meat also responds brilliantly to the strong equatorial flavors often associated with grilling. The Mexican-inspired treatment here, a quick liquid rub for the thighs, packs plenty of punch, even if you use just a little cayenne. What makes it evoke Mexico is the combination of two characteristic spices, cumin and oregano, with a mixture of orange and lime juices to simulate the sour orange that is used in the Yucatán but is rarely seen in this country.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories     dinner, easy, quick, weekday, weeknight, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

4 cloves garlic, peeled
1 small onion, quartered
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, or 1 teaspoon dried
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
Pinch ground cloves
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon peanut or other oil
2 tablespoons orange juice, preferably freshly squeezed
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
About 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken thighs, or 2 pounds thighs with bones
Chopped cilantro for garnish

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.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 416, UnsaturatedFat 19 grams, Carbohydrate 7 grams, Fat 30 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 30 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 492 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 0 grams

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