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Santa Fe Chicken

by Georgia Orcutt and John Margioles from Cooking USA
 

Ingredients

2 whole chicken breasts (about 8 ounces each) halved, boned, and skinned

2 sweet red bell peppers

1/4 CUP jalapeno jelly

For Marinade:

1/4 cup olive oil
juice and zest of 1 small lime
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 ounce tequila
1/4 teaspoon bottled hot pepper sauce
1/8 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring
1/4 teaspoon salt
SERVES 4



This zippy method of preparing chicken has appeared on local menus since the 1940s. It always uses a marinade, and is especially good cold, served as a salad. The following recipe was a 1989 winner at the National Chicken Cooking Contest. Serve with corn, hot rolls, and an avocado salad.

Directions

Combine all the marinade ingredients in a medium bowl. Place the chicken between two pieces of wax paper and gently pound until 1/4 inch thick. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in a large plastic zip-lock bag. Add the marinade, close the bag, and marinate in the refrigerator, turning once, for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.

To roast the bell peppers, place them under the broiler and turn often until charred. Cool. With the point of a sharp knife, remove stem, seeds, and skin. Cut into 8 strips and reserve. Heat the broiler. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place on a broiler pan; brush liberally with the marinade. Arrange the oven rack so the chicken is 6 inches from the heat and broil about 8 minutes, until browned. Turn and broil 8 minutes more or until the chicken is brown and a fork can be inserted with ease. While the chicken is cooking, melt the jelly in a small saucepan over low heat. Brush the cooked chicken with some of the melted jelly. Place 2 roasted bell pepper strips to form an X on each breast half, spoon on remaining jelly. Return the chicken to the oven and broil until brown and slightly glazed, about 4 to 5 minutes longer.


 
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