Grilled Tomatillo Chicken Recipes

TOMATILLO CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Whisk beer, teriyaki sauce, chili powder, and garlic powder together in a bowl; pour into a resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator 6 to 24 hours.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove chicken from the marinade and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade.
• Cook the chicken breasts on preheated grill until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 7 to 10 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Arrange chicken breasts in a baking dish and top each with a slice of Muenster cheese.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine tomatillos and water in a large saucepan; bring water to a boil, place cover on saucepan, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until tomatillos begin to burst, 7 to 10 minutes. Stir onion and garlic into tomatillo sauce; season with salt and pepper; continue cooking at a low boil until onion is tender, about 15 minutes.
• Pour tomatillo sauce into a blender. Cover and hold lid down; pulse a few times before leaving on to blend until smooth. Stir sour cream and cilantro into the tomatillo sauce; pour over the chicken and Muenster cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven until cheese melts, about 15 minutes.

CUMIN-CRUSTED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH GRILLED TOMATILLO SALSA

Steps:

• 1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs and oil. Toss to coat the thighs evenly. Transfer the thighs to a platter and sprinkle evenly on all sides with the cumin rub. Set aside at room temperature.
• 2. Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for indirect grilling over medium heat; the temperature inside the grill should be 350°-375°F (180°-190°C). If using charcoal, bank the lit coals on either side of the grill bed, leaving a strip in the center without heat, and place a drip pan in the center. If using gas, preheat the burners, then turn off 1 or more of the burners to create a cooler zone. Brush and oil the grill grate.
• 3. To make the salsa, place the tomatillos and chile over the direct-heat area of the grill. (You'll probably need a grill screen for the chile or you'll lose it through the grate.) Cook, turning as needed, until well charred on all sides, about 3 minutes. Transfer the tomatillos and chile to a blender, add the lime juice and oil, and pulse until combined but still chunky. Transfer to a bowl, fold in the cilantro, and season with salt. You should have about 2 cups (16 fl oz/500 ml). (The salsa can be made up to 1 week in advance and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• 4. Place the thighs, meaty side down, over the indirect-heat area of the grill. Cook, turning once, until the thighs are nicely grill-marked on both sides and firm to the touch and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh away from bone registers 170°F (77°C), 10-15 minutes on each side.
• 5. Transfer the thighs to a platter and let rest for 10 minutes. Serve at once with the tomatillo salsa.

GRILLED-CHICKEN TOSTADAS WITH TOMATILLO-CILANTRO SALSA

Steps:

• Smashed Kidney Beans: Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high. Add onion; cook until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add coriander, chipotle in adobo, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook 30 seconds more. Add cinnamon, beans with liquid, and broth; bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until reduced and thickened slightly, about 5 minutes more. Remove from heat.
• Smash beans with a fork or potato masher until creamy and spreadable, leaving some intact. Let cool until warm but no longer hot before serving (if beans are too hot, tostada shells will become soft), or refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days (return to room temperature before serving). (Makes 2 1/4 cups.)
• Tostadas: Heat a large skillet (preferably cast iron) over high. Add tomatillos, onion, garlic, and jalapenos in a single layer and cook, turning a few times, until blistered in places, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly, then transfer to a blender with 1 cup packed cilantro leaves and stems, broth, lime juice, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Puree until smooth.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper. Return skillet to medium-high heat; swirl in oil. Add chicken in a single layer and cook, flipping once, until golden brown in places but not cooked through, about 3 minutes. Add 2 cups salsa (reserve the rest); reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, turning chicken a few times, until just cooked through and salsa has thickened and darkened slightly, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat; let cool 10 minutes. Using 2 forks, shred chicken in skillet into bite-size pieces, tossing to evenly coat.
• Spread 2 tablespoons smashed beans onto each tostada shell. Top with shredded-chicken mixture, avocado, crema, cabbage, remaining salsa, and more cilantro; serve with lime wedges.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH TOMATILLO SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat broiler or coals for the chicken. Wipe the chicken dry with paper towels and squeeze on the juice of the lime or lemon. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake the garlic in its skin until soft (about 10 minutes). Peel.
• Meanwhile, grill the chicken until cooked. While it is cooking make the sauce. Chop the tomatillos and place them in a skillet with the chili, sugar, wine and vinegar. Cook until soft, stirring frequently. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the garlic and mash into the sauce. Pour the mixture into a food processor. Add the coriander leaves (setting a few aside for garnishing) and puree. Pour the mixture into a saucepan.
• When the chicken is cooked, place on a serving dish. Heat the sauce, and swirl in the butter. Pour into a sauceboat and sprinkle with remaining coriander. Serve separately.