Barbecued Strawberry Chicken Food

THE ULTIMATE BARBECUED CHICKEN

Steps:

• For the brine, in a mixing bowl combine the water, salt, sugar, garlic, and thyme. Transfer the brine to a 2-gallon sized re-sealable plastic bag. Add the chicken, close the bag and refrigerate 2 hours (if you've only got 15 minutes, that's fine) to allow the salt and seasonings to penetrate the chicken.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce. Wrap the bacon around the bunch of thyme and tie with kitchen twine so you have a nice bundle. Heat about 2 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the thyme and cook slowly 3 to 4 minutes to render the bacon fat and give the sauce a nice smoky taste. Add the onion and garlic and cook slowly without coloring for 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, give the sauce a stir, and turn the heat down to low. Cook slowly for 20 minutes to meld the flavors. Once the sauce is done cooking, remove about 1 1/2 cups of the sauce and reserve for serving along side the chicken at the table. The rest of the barbecue sauce will be used for basing the legs.
• Preheat oven 375 degrees F.
• Preheat a grill pan or an outdoor gas or charcoal barbecue to a medium heat. Take a few paper towels and fold them several times to make a thick square. Blot a small amount of oil on the paper towel and carefully and quickly wipe the hot grates of the grill to make a nonstick surface. Take the chicken out of the brine, pat it dry on paper towels. Arrange the chicken pieces on the preheated grill and cook, turn once mid-way, and cook for a total of 10 minutes. Transfer the grill marked chicken to a cookie sheet and then place in the oven. Cook the chicken for 15 minutes, remove it from the oven and then brush liberally, coating every inch of the legs with the barbecue sauce and then return to the oven for 25 to 30 more minutes, basting the chicken for a second time half way through remaining cooking time. Serve with extra sauce.

GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH FRESH STRAWBERRY SALSA

Steps:

• Pound the chicken breast halves with a meat mallet until 1/2 inch thick. Season with salt and pepper and place into a resealable plastic bag or small baking dish. Whisk together 1 serrano chile, garlic, chili powder, and 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar in a small bowl. Whisk in the olive oil until incorporated, then pour the marinade over the chicken breasts, squeeze out excess air, and seal. Place into the refrigerator, and marinate for 2 to 3 hours.
• While the chicken marinates, toss the strawberries with the mint and sugar in a bowl. Cover, and refrigerate 1 hour, then fold in the remaining serrano chile, red onion, and 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let the salsa stand at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil grate.
• Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade, and shake off excess. Discard the remaining marinade. Cook the chicken on the grill until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Serve with the strawberry salsa and a dollop of sour cream.

STRAWBERRY PECAN GRILLED CHICKEN SALAD WITH PECAN BUTTER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• To the canister of a large food processor (at least a 10 to 12-cup size) fitted with the S-blade, add the pecans, cover the canister, and turn to high power (Notes - I don't recommend using a high-speed blender such as a VitaMix or Blendtec because I've burnt out motors. I have much better results in a food processor. If your food processor is smaller, you may need to do this in two batches).
• Allow the pecans to break down and they'll go through various stages before turning into smooth pecan butter. As necessary stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• After allowing the pecans to process for about 5 minutes, my mixture was dry and that's when I added 3 tablespoons olive oil. You may not need to add any, you may need to add more; add as necessary. Process another 3 minutes or until pecan butter is smooth.
• Add salt to taste and process briefly to incorporate.
• Add all ingredients (you will have extra pecan butter, which you should set aside) to a large ziptop bag, seal bag, squish contents around to distribute evenly, and place in the fridge to marinate for at least 1 hour (overnight is best).
• Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and oil the grates very well.
• Add the chicken, discard leftover marinade, and grill chicken for about 5 minutes on the first side and 3 to 4 minutes on the second side, or until done and cooked through and chicken reaches an internal temp of 165F.
• After chicken has cooked, remove it from grill and set on a plate to rest.
• To a large platter or serving bowl, add all the ingredients, slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces or strips and add it to the salad; set salad aside while you make the vinaigrette.
• To glass jar with a lid, add all ingredients, cover with the lid, and shake vigorously to combine. Taste, check for flavor balance, and add more salt, pepper, honey, etc. if necessary to taste.
• Evenly drizzle vinaigrette over the salad, to taste, and serve immediately. Salad is best fresh.

STRAWBERRY BASIL CHICKEN

Steps:

• Begin by heating a large skillet to medium heat.
• Prepare your chicken breasts: you may need to pound the breast to make them a bit thinner, mine were approximately 1 inch. While the skillet is heating up, marinate the chicken with garlic and balsamic vinegar.
• Add oil to the pan. Cook for 3-5 minutes per side (until golden brown, but cooked through). Set aside.
• Meanwhile, prepare the topping. Toss together strawberries and basil. Top each chicken breast with strawberry mixture, and salt and pepper to taste. Add additional balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze* if desired. Serve immediately.

STRAWBERRY AND RHUBARB GLAZED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Prepare the glaze by combining rhubarb, strawberries, onion, sugar, mustard seeds, salt and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium high heat, stirring to mix well. Once small bubbles begin to form along outer edge, cook an additional 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced by half. Puree in a blender until smooth, then add vinegar and combine. Divide glaze between 2 small bowls (one to glaze the chicken one for the pineapple slices).
• Boil scallions in lightly salted water until bright green, about 2 minutes; drain and set aside.
• Season chicken and pineapple with salt and pepper. If grilling outdoors prepare grill for direct and indirect cooking. If using indoor grill pan skip to next step. Place chicken and pineapple slices over direct heat; brush with glaze. Once pineapple have good grill marks, about 5 minutes, turn over and transfer to indirect cooking. After 10 to 13 minutes the chicken should have grill marks and can be turned over, still on the direct heat side. Once grill marks appear on the second side move to indirect heat to finish cooking. Brush pineapple and chicken with glaze occasionally throughout cooking. When pineapple and chicken pieces are done remove to a platter and keep warm. Use the space on the grill to grill scallions until slightly charred.
• If using a grill pan indoors, grill the pineapple first, about 5 minutes per side brushing with glaze occasionally. Next char the scallions slightly and set aside. Grill the chicken about 10 to 13 minutes per side, brushing with the glaze occasionally through out cooking. Juices should run clear when pricked with a fork.
• To serve, cut each slice of grilled pineapple in half and place a half-slice on each plate. Top with 2 grilled chicken thighs, 2 grilled scallions and the second pineapple half.

THE BEST BARBECUE CHICKEN RECIPE

Steps:

• Pat chicken dry with paper towels and place breast-side-down on a large cutting board. Using sharp kitchen shears, remove the backbone by cutting along either side of it. Turn chicken over and lay out flat. Press firmly on breast to flatten the chicken. For added stability, run a metal or wooden skewer horizontally, entering through one thigh, going through both breast halves, and exiting through the other thigh. Tuck wing tips behind back. Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Combine salt, brown sugar, black pepper, chile powder, ground coriander seeds, and garlic in a small bowl and massage with fingertips until homogenous. Spread mixture evenly over all surfaces of chicken.
• Light one chimney full of charcoal. When all the charcoal is lit and covered with gray ash, pour out and spread the coals evenly over half of coal grate. Alternatively, set half the burners of a gas grill to high heat. Set cooking grate in place, cover grill and allow to preheat for 5 minutes. Clean and oil the grilling grate. If using charcoal, place hardwood chunks directly on coal. If using gas, place on grate above lit burners.

STRAWBERRY BALSAMIC CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together the yogurt, 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar, sugar, pepper, cinnamon and salt. Place chicken breast halves in a shallow baking dish, and pour the sauce over them. Refrigerate for 1 hour, turning chicken over half way through.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Scrape the marinade off of the chicken breasts, and place them into the hot oil. Quickly brown the chicken on both sides, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and let rest for 3 minutes.
• While the chicken is cooking, transfer the marinade to a saucepan. Bring to a low simmer over medium heat. Remove stems from strawberries, and slice thinly so they will fan nicely. Set aside.
• Slice chicken breasts on the diagonal into 1/2 inch thick slices. Place on serving plates, and sprinkle with lemon juice. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the marinade over each chicken breast, and fan one sliced strawberry over the top. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh mint and parsley. If you really love balsamic vinegar, finish the dish off with an artful drizzle.

BARBECUED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Marinate the chickens in 2/3 of the barbecue sauce for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
• Heat the coals in a charcoal grill. Spread the bottom of the grill with a single layer of hot coals and then add a few more coals 5 minutes before cooking, which will keep the fire going longer. Place the chicken quarters on the grill, skin side down, and cook for about 45 minutes, turning once or twice to cook evenly on both sides. Brush with the marinade as needed. The chicken quarters are done when you insert a knife between a leg and thigh and the juices run clear. Discard any unused marinade.
• Serve with extra barbecue sauce on the side.
• In a large saucepan on low heat, saute the onions and garlic with the vegetable oil for 10 to 15 minutes, until the onions are translucent but not browned. Add the tomato paste, vinegar, honey, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, chili powder, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Simmer uncovered on low heat for 30 minutes. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator.
• Yield: 1 1/2 quarts

CRANBERRY BARBECUE CHICKEN - CROCK POT

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.
• Cover and bake on high for 4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.
• Before serving, you may want to pull the meat out and thicken the sauce with flour or corn starch (optional).