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Prep time
1 hour
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Cook time
1 hour 20 minutes
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Serves
4-6
Author Notes
I wanted a richly-seasoned spicy roasted chicken, utilizing dried chiles and coffee. The surprise was in how the bittersweet notes underlying coffee and chiles lift the fruit and spice notes. This chicken has become the favorite of family and friends. A tray full, hot, flavorful, and securely wrapped, with a side of rice and a green vegetable, will warm hearts and souls of new parents or sick friends needing a little tlc. Note: The recipe makes extra sauce: remove a quantity for the marinade or basting sauce and freeze the rest in cubes, then transfer them to a ziplock bag to use for next time. —creamtea
Ingredients
- For the Sauce
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2
Guajillo chiles
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1
Pasilla Negro chile
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1 teaspoon
whole coriander seeds
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1/2 teaspoon
whole caraway seeds
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2
fat cloves of fresh garlic, minced and mashed with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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juice and grated zest of one orange
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1/2 cup
freshly brewed coffee
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1 tablespoon
organic apple cider vinegar "with the mother".
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2-3 tablespoons
honey (I use a thick, raw honey)
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1 pinch
ground cloves
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additional salt to taste
- For the chicken:
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1
whole 3-1/2 lb. chicken, backbone removed and the breastbone flattened (i.e. spatchcocked). If grilling, 1 chicken, cut in 8ths
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salt and pepper to taste
Directions
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Pre-heat oven to 375º
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In a heavy cast iron pan, toast the dried peppers briefly over medium heat on each side. With kitchen shears and wearing rubber gloves, clip the tops of the peppers (the stem end), and shake out the loose seeds. Discard seeds. Place peppers in a small heatproof bowl and cover with hot water. Allow to soften for about 30-45 minutes.
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When peppers are soft, wearing rubber gloves, remove from liquid (reserve a little for the blending process, below) to a cutting board. Slit peppers on one side with a sharp knife, remove remaining seeds and lift out ribs (unless you like it hotter than I do). Chop coarsely.
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Lightly toast coriander and caraway seeds in a dry pan over a low flame (I toast in a long-handled stainless steel measuring cup held 4 inches over a low flame) and place in a spice grinder or small food processor (or mortar). Whir or pound until ground; if using a spice grinder, transfer to food processor; add peppers, a tablespoon or so of soaking liquid, and remaining mole ingredients and whiz until pureed; it will be a coarse puree. Taste and adjust for seasoning. (makes 1 scant cup).
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Salt and pepper chicken inside and out and pour marinade over. There will be a little extra if you wish to add chicken parts or wings. Marinate at least one hour or overnight. Otherwise, continue, it will still be good! Place chicken in roasting pan. Pour about 1/2 inch or so of water into bottom of pan to avoid burning (replenish as necessary during cook time). Discard used marinade.
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Roast in oven, reducing heat after 1/2 hour to 350º, until cooked through and instant-read thermometer registers 165º-170 and juices run clear when the breast is pricked with a skewer, about 45-50 minutes more depending on your oven. Remove from oven, allow to rest 10 or so minutes, then carve up and serve.
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Extra Credit (aka, What to do the next day with leftovers):
Remove top and bottom of one red bell pepper, and cut into strips.
Slice one white or yellow onion.
mash 2-3 fat cloves of garlic with a pinch of salt.
Heat oil (olive, safflower, avocado or other oil) in a large, heavy sauté pan; add pepper strips and onion. When they soften slightly, add to the oil. Add garlic, minced. Remove chicken from the bone (three to four pieces will serve 3-4 people. When pepper an onions are soft and browning slightly, add the chicken. Sprinkle with salt and freshly-ground pepper to taste. Toss to warm; add 1 cup of chicken broth , water from boiled vegetables or plain water and 1 teaspoon soy sauce; simmer until reduced and thickened. Serve with 1) tortillas, diced tomato and cucumber, mashed avocado and diced white onion.
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