Blackened Cajun Chicken And Corn Food

BLACKENED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet. Heat a cast iron skillet over high heat for 5 minutes until it is smoking hot.
• Mix together the paprika, salt, cayenne, cumin, thyme, white pepper, and onion powder. Oil the chicken breasts with cooking spray on both sides, then coat the chicken breasts evenly with the spice mixture.
• Place the chicken in the hot pan, and cook for 1 minute. Turn, and cook 1 minute on other side. Place the breasts on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 5 minutes.

GRILLED BLACKENED CAJUN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Brine the chicken: Combine 4 cups water, 2/3 cup salt, and the brown sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil and whisk until the salt and sugar are completely dissolved. Turn off the heat and transfer to a bowl or pot large enough to submerge the chicken. Stir in 6 cups of ice water and let cool completely. Submerge the chicken in the cooled brine, cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or up to overnight.
• Take the chicken out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Remove from the brine and pat dry completely.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high indirect heat: For gas grills (with 3 or more burners), turn all the burners to medium-high heat; after about 15 minutes turn off one of the middle burners. For charcoal grills, bank one chimney starter-full of lit and ashed-over charcoal briquettes to one side of the grill. Set up a drip pan on the other side to avoid flare-ups. (Be sure to consult the grill manufacturer's guide for best results.)
• Whisk together the paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, cayenne, garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Brush the chicken all over with the melted butter, and then pat on all of the dry rub mixture.
• Grill the chicken: Place the chicken breast-side up on the indirect side of the grill, with the legs facing the hotter side of the grill. Cover and cook until an instant-read thermometer reads at least 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding the bone), 50 to 60 minutes. The chicken will be quite dark and blackened in spots.
• Remove from the grill and let rest on a cutting board for at least 20 minutes before carving.

BLACKENED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH CAJUN CORN RELISH (WW)

Steps:

• In small nonstick skillet, toast cumin over medium heat, stirring constantly, 2 minutes, until fragrant; transfer to large shallow bowl.
• Add corn, tomatoes, jicama, scallions, juice and salt to toasted cumin; toss to combine. Set aside.
• Sprinkle chicken on all sides with Cajun seasoning. Spray large iron skillet with nonstick cooking spray; heat. Add chicken; cook over medium-high heat, turning once, 8 minutes, until browned on all sides and juices run clear when chicken is pierced with fork.
• Arrange cooked chicken breasts on top of corn mixture.
• SERVING (1 CHICKEN BREAST, 3/4 CUP CORN MIXTURE) PROVIDES: 1 Vegetable, 3 Proteins, 1 Bread.
• PER SERVING: 232 Calories, 4 g Total Fat, 1 g Saturated Fat, 72 mg Cholesterol, 427 mg Sodium, 20 g Total Carbohydrate, 3 g Dietary Fiber, 30 g Protein, 33 mg Calcium; 4 points.

CAJUN GRILLED CHICKEN WITH LIME BLACK-EYED BEAN SALAD & GUACAMOLE

Steps:

• Mix together the oil, herbs, spices and garlic in a large sealable bag. Put the chicken breasts in the bag and mix thoroughly to cover. Bash the chicken with a rolling pin to flatten it a little, then set aside to marinate for at least 15 mins.
• In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients for the bean salad. Stir well and set aside.
• For the guacamole, scoop the flesh from the avocado and put it in a medium bowl, chopping it roughly with the side of the spoon. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. If you prefer your guacamole to be smoother, mash the avocado well with the olive oil and lime juice until it's at your preferred consistency before stirring in the other ingredients.
• Heat the grill. Line a grill pan with foil, place the chicken breasts on it and grill for 5 mins, checking occasionally. Once golden brown, turn and grill for a further 5-7 mins. Check the middle of the breasts after 5 mins and, if cooked through, remove from the heat.
• Set aside 2 chicken breasts and 2 tbsp guacamole for Open rye sandwich (see 'goes well with', right). Place 1 warm chicken breast on each plate, with some bean salad and a dollop of guacamole on the side.

CAJUN BLACKENED CHICKEN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Let the chicken come to room temperature before using.
• .Preheat oven to 400 F, and heat your skillet over high heat until VERY hot.
• Brush a small amount of melted butter over the inside tops of Kaiser rolls and return to plastic bag to keep soft.
• Combine all seasoning ingredients.
• Combine 1/2 c melted butter with hot sauce, and coat the chicken pieces thoroughly.
• Roll chicken breasts in the seasoning and then place into the hot skillet to sear.
• Drizzle a tsp of butter on top of each piece, and cook until a good crust has formed on the bottom of the chicken.
• Flip chicken and finish cooking, then remove to a plate.
• When all chicken is all finished, toss sliced pepper and onion with any leftover seasoning, add with any remainder of butter to the skillet. Cook about 5 min, until peppers and onions soften a bit.
• Place chicken on kaiser rolls, top each with some peppers and onions, then a slice of provolone.
• Leave sandwiches open faced and bake until cheese is melted and Kaiser roll toasts lightly.
• Serve with tomato and pickle slices if desired.