Portuguese Braised Chicken Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place chicken on cutting board, breast-side down. Use a pair of poultry shears or heavy-duty kitchen scissors to cut along either side of the bird's backbone; remove. Turn the chicken over; use palms to press on breast bones to flatten the chicken. Using a sharp, heavy knife, cut the chicken between breast halves. The chicken will be in 2, flat pieces.
• Place an ovenproof cooling rack on a large rimmed baking sheet. In a small bowl, mix together the lemon juice, garlic, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, and pimento paste, then rub over the chicken. Transfer the chicken to a rack, then pour 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 cup wine over the chicken. Roast 30 minutes; turn the chicken over and pour the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and 1/2 cup wine over the chicken. Roast the chicken until golden, moist, and opaque throughout, about 30 minutes.

Steps:

• Season the flour with Essence. Toss the chicken in the seasoned flour.
• Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet, over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the chicken and sear until golden brown on all sides, about 4 to 6 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Add the chorizo to the skillet and cook until browned on both sides.
• Add the onions, potatoes, and peppers. Cook the vegetables for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add the tomatoes, shallots, garlic cloves, and olives. Season the vegetables with Essence. Stir in the white wine, chicken broth, and parsley and return the browned chicken to the skillet.
• Bring the liquid up to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover and simmer the chicken and vegetables for about 45 minutes or until the chicken falls off the bone.
• Add the crushed red pepper flakes and green onions. Adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper.
• Mound the rice in the center of the bowl. Arrange the stewed chicken around the rice. Garnish with freshly grated cheese, chives and Essence. Always serve with crusty bread.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William and Morrow, 1993.

Steps:

• Combine lemon juice, oil, garlic, paprika, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, chili powder, red pepper flakes, bay leaf, and black pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until very smooth.
• Score chicken legs a few times using a knife and place in a resealable bag or a bowl. Pour about 1/3 cup of sauce over chicken and toss well. Season with additional sea salt. Cover or seal and marinate chicken in a refrigerator, 8 hours to overnight. Reserve remaining sauce for basting.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place chicken in a baking dish and cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Turn chicken over and baste with extra marinade. Cover baking dish with foil once again and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake until no longer pink in the center and juices run clear, 15 to 20 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted near a bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Steps:

• Combine the first 7 ingredients; rub over chicken. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour or overnight. Meanwhile, place potato in a small saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, until just tender, 10-12 minutes. Drain and set aside., In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown chicken on both sides; remove and set aside. Reserve 5 slices chorizo for topping. In the same pan, cook and stir remaining chorizo, tomato paste, garlic and bay leaves for 1 minute. Add onion, green pepper and tomato; cook and stir until tender, 3-5 minutes., Stir in coconut milk, broth, cooked potato, 8 olives and reserved chicken. Mix cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into cooking juices. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Preheat broiler., Transfer chicken mixture to a 13x9 baking pan, place egg, reserved chorizo and remaining 4 olives over top; sprinkle with coconut. Broil 3-4 in. from heat until coconut is toasted, 7-10 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Serve curry with rice.