Indulge in a culinary journey to the vibrant flavors of Mexico with our Pepita-Crusted Chicken with Mexican Corn Cakes. This tantalizing dish combines the delightful crunch of pepitas with the tender and juicy chicken, perfectly complemented by the aromatic and spicy Mexican corn cakes. Embark on a taste adventure as you prepare this delectable meal, exploring the unique blend of textures and flavors that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy. Discover the secrets behind the crispy pepita crust, the succulent chicken, and the delectable Mexican corn cakes, all coming together to create a symphony of flavors that will transport you to the heart of Mexico.
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CHICKEN WITH PEPITA SAUCE
Pepitas are rich in magnesium which can be difficult for people to get enough of in their diet. This recipe has you toast pepitas along with other warming spices like cumin and allspice. They are then blended with a few other ingredients to make a flavorful sauce for your repurposed rotisserie chicken.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 35m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pepitas and toast, stirring occasionally, until they begin to pop, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer 2 tablespoons pepitas to a small bowl and add the rest to a blender. Add the cumin seeds to the same skillet and toast until dark brown, about 1 minute. Add to the blender; reserve the skillet. Add the salsa verde, 1/2 cup cilantro, the allspice and 1/2 cup water to the blender. Blend until smooth, adding up to 2 tablespoons more water if needed.
- Pour the puree into the reserved skillet; stir in the chicken and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 5 minutes; thin with up to 1/4 cup water if needed. Season with salt and pepper.
- Toss the bell pepper, radishes, lime juice and remaining 1/2 cup cilantro in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. Warm the tortillas in a large dry skillet.
- Divide the tortillas, bell pepper salad and chicken among plates. Sprinkle with the reserved pepitas; serve with lime wedges.
SCALDED CORN CAKES
Steps:
- Add the salt to the boiling water; gradually sift in the cornmeal. Stir to combine. Cool the mixture in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Shape into balls and then flatten to form patties about 2-inches across. Heat the vegetable oil or bacon drippings in a skillet. Fry patties until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Turn once. Drain and serve hot.
- Tip: Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray to prevent batter from sticking when shaping the balls.
PEPITA CRUSTED CHEDDAR JACK SOUTHWEST CHICKEN MAC
Steps:
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add dry elbow pasta to boiling water and cook for about 10 minutes or until al dente, drain and reserve.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add onion, bell pepper and jalapeno. Saute for 4 to 5 minutes or until tender. Add chicken, cilantro, salt, cumin, pepper and tomatoes; saute for 3 to 4 more minutes, remove from heat and set aside.
- In a separate large pot over medium heat, melt butter. Remove from heat and whisk in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Place back on medium-high heat, slowly whisk in milk and bring to a boil while continuously whisking. Reduce heat and stir in Cheddar, Monterey Jack, smoked Cheddar and cream cheese until melted and smooth.
- Stir in cooked elbow noodles and chicken mixture. Pour mac and cheese mixture into a greased 3 quart casserole dish. In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter and bread crumbs. Toss to coat and sprinkle crumbs and pepitas over top of mac and cheese. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and crumbs browned. Enjoy!
PEPITA-CRUSTED CHICKEN SLIDERS
Treat your guests with these chicken sliders made using Progresso® bread crumbs - a perfect dinner that's ready in just 25 minutes.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Dinner
Time 25m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F. Bake rolls as directed on package.
- Meanwhile, in food processor, place pumpkin seeds. Cover; process until finely chopped. In small bowl, mix pumpkin seeds, bread crumbs, 1/2 teaspoon of the cumin and 1/8 teaspoon of the red pepper. Place flour and beaten egg in separate shallow bowls.
- Cut chicken breast tenders into 1 1/2-inch pieces; sprinkle with salt. Coat chicken pieces with flour, shaking off excess. Dip chicken pieces in egg; coat with crumb mixture.
- In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook chicken in oil 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink in center. Drain.
- In small bowl, mix mayonnaise, honey mustard, remaining 3/4 teaspoon cumin and remaining 1/8 teaspoon red pepper.
- Split rolls. Place chicken on roll bottoms and top with mayonnaise mixture. Cover with roll tops. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 172, Carbohydrate 16 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 8 g, SaturatedFat 1 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 257 mg
Tips:
- To ensure crispy and even cooking, ensure the chicken breasts are of uniform thickness. If they are not, pound them to an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. This will also help reduce the cooking time.
- If you don't have a food processor, you can crush the pepitas in a resealable plastic bag using a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy saucepan.
- For a more intense flavor, toast the pepitas in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes before crushing them.
- To make the chicken even more flavorful, marinate it in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, oregano, cumin, and salt for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
- Serve the chicken with your favorite sides, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple salad. For an authentic Mexican meal, serve it with Mexican corn cakes.
- To make the Mexican corn cakes, combine masa harina, water, salt, and baking powder in a bowl and mix until well combined. Form the dough into 12 equal balls and flatten them into thin cakes. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the corn cakes for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Serve with your favorite toppings, such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
Conclusion:
Pepita-crusted chicken with Mexican corn cakes is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for any occasion. The chicken is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, while the corn cakes are soft and fluffy. This dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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