Cast Iron

Mexican Achiote Roast Chicken

May 30, 2016
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Photo by cooksandkid
  • Serves 6
Author Notes

Chicken roasted with Mexican achiote paste. Achiote paste is a beautiful blend of spices which give the chicken a wonderful complex flavor. The achiote paste is adapted from Tacos: Recipes and Provocations by Alex Stupak and Jordana Rothman . —Cooks and Kid

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Achiote Paste
  • 1 4-inch stick of Mexican canela
  • 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon allspice berries
  • 3 tablespoons dried Mexican oregano
  • 1/2 cup achiote seeds
  • 40 garlic cloves, skin on
  • Roast Chicken
  • 8 tablespoons achiote paste
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 large onion, sliced thick
  • 6 chicken leg quarters, approx 4 lbs
  • optional for serving: limes, cilantro and corn tortillas
Directions
  1. Achiote Paste
  2. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the canela, peppercorns, allspice, oregano and achiote seeds. Toast, shaking the pan until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Remove from the heat and transfer to a spice grinder. Grind to a fine powder, working in batches if necessary
  3. Reheat the skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic cloves and roast, turning them from time to time, until slightly soft and blackened in spots about 6 minutes. Turn off the heat and remove the garlic from the pan. Once cool enough to handle, peel the garlic and discard the skin.
  4. In a blender, combine the ground spices and seeds, roasted garlic and cider vinegar. Puree until smooth. Transfer to a container and refrigerate until ready to use.
  1. Roast Chicken
  2. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  3. In a small bowl mix together achiote paste (8 tbsp), softened butter, and salt until well incorporated. Set aside.
  4. Place the chicken in a large bowl and rub the paste butter mixture all over the chicken. You may want to use gloves for this process because the paste will stain your hands.
  5. Transfer the chicken and onion slices to a foil lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes and then baste the chicken and onions with the juices. Bake for an additional 20 minutes or until cooked through. Serve the chicken and onions with tortillas, limes and cilantro.
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