Ancho Chile Chicken Thighs Recipes

GRILLED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH MANGO-ANCHO SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine mango, lime juice, honey, ancho chile powder, and salt in the bowl of a small food processor; pulse until smooth. Remove 1/4 cup of the sauce to a small bowl and whisk in rice wine vinegar and olive oil to make a marinade. Place remaining sauce in the refrigerator.
• Place chicken thighs in a resealable plastic bag and drizzle with mango-ancho marinade. Seal the bag and marinate in the refrigerator, 2 hours to overnight.
• Twenty minutes before grilling, remove chicken from the marinade, letting the excess drip off. Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Discard the remaining marinade.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Place chicken on the hot grill, skin-side down, and grill for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip chicken over and grill on the other side for 3 to 4 minutes. Continue flipping every 3 to 4 minutes until an instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), 22 to 25 minutes total. Turn grill to low heat and brush both sides of the chicken with reserved mango-ancho sauce, grilling an additional 1 to 2 minutes.

ANCHO CHILE CHICKEN THIGHS

Steps:

• Heat half of the grill to medium heat to create a direct-heat zone and an indirect-heat zone. In a small bowl, mix together the chile powder, paprika and salt. Season the thighs evenly with the rub. Brush the cooking grates clean. Grill the thighs, skin side down first, over direct medium heat, until golden brown, 6 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally. Then move the thighs over indirect heat and cook until the juices run clear and the meat is no longer pink at the bone, about 30 minutes. Keep the lid closed as much as possible during cooking. Remove from the grill and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes before serving.

CHICKEN ENCHILADAS WITH ANCHO CHILE CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Ancho Chile Cream Sauce:.
• Bring 2 cups water to boil in small sauce pan. Remove pan from heat, add Ancho chiles, soak 30 minutes. Reserve 6 Tbsp of liquid, drain rest of liquid.
• Cut stems off of chiles, cut open and scrape out seeds. Combine Ancho chiles, reserve liquid and garlic in blender and puree.
• Combine cream and chile puree in heavy skillet.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer for 3 minutes. Whisk in lime juice, season with salt. Strain sauce (not really necessary).
• Enchilada Filling:.
• Mix 1 3/4 cup sour cream, canned chiles, green onion, cilantro and cumin in large bowl.
• Mix in shredded chicken, mushrooms, 1 cup of cheese, tomatoes, 3 Tbsp of Ancho Chile Cream Sauce, salt and pepper to taste.
• Assembly:.
• Bring remaining Ancho Chile Cream Sauce to a simmer, cook tortillas in sauce for 15 seconds, coating both sides. Place tortilla in baking dish, spoon 1/2 cup of filling down center of tortilla. Roll tortilla closed, arrange seam side down.
• Repeat. May need another small glass dish for all enchiladas.
• Cover with foil and bake 30 - 45 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese. Bake uncovered until cheese melts, approximately 5 minutes.
• Serve with sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo.

CUMIN AND ANCHO CHICKEN

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.