Cinnamon Cured Smoked Chicken Breasts Wih Cherry Barbecue Sauce Food

CINNAMON CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place chicken in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with ground cinnamon, seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper. (Note: You can be liberal with the seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper; however, the cinnamon should only be a dusting and not clumped.)
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.

SMOKED GINGER CHICKEN WITH CARDAMOM, CLOVES AND CINNAMON

Steps:

• Combine the cloves, cardamom and cinnamon sticks in a bowl, cover with cold water and soak for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.
• Heat the oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the ginger and garlic and cook until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the mustard seeds and cook for 30 seconds. Add 1/2 cup water, the lime zest and juice and some salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Transfer to a blender and blend until a smooth paste, adding more water if needed. Let cool.
• Rub the paste over the entire chicken, including under the skin. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 30 minutes before grilling.
• Light a chimney starter filled with hardwood charcoal and allow to burn until all the charcoal is covered with a layer of fine gray ash. Build a single-level fire by spreading the coals evenly over the bottom of the grill. Add the soaked spices evenly over the hot charcoal, put the lid on the grill and allow the grates to heat up and the smoke to fill the grill, about 5 minutes.
• Place the chicken, skin-side down, over the coals and cook until the skin is nicely charred. Flip, move to indirect heat, cover the grill and cook at about 375 degrees until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 165 degrees F, 40 to 50 minutes.
• Remove the chicken to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes before carving.

SMOKED WHOLE CHICKEN WITH HONEY BBQ SAUCE

Steps:

• For the BBQ seasoning: Combine the brown sugar, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground mustard and cayenne in a small bowl.
• Preheat your smoker or grill to 275 degrees F.
• If using a charcoal or gas grill, prepare for two-zone cooking with heat or coals on one side of the grill and none on the other. If using a gas grill, prepare your smoking pouches by tearing off 2 large pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil and layering them flat on your work surface. Place two cups of dry wood chips on the center of your foil. Fold up each long side and crimp to secure. Then roll up the ends to make a sealed wood chip pouch. Poke holes in the top of your pouch to allow the heat from the fire to singe the wood chips inside the pouch and make some gorgeous smoke that will be released through the holes and add a delicious smoke flavor to your food. Repeat this process so you have a total of 3 pouches.
• Combine the softened butter and the BBQ seasoning in a small bowl. Use your fingers to loosen the skin of the chicken and spread the seasoned butter up under the skin. Spread any remaining butter on top of the chicken skin.
• Use butcher twine to tie the legs together and tuck the wing tips behind the shoulder joint. Place your chicken directly on the grill grates over indirect heat on your smoker or grill. Add the wood of your choice; I recommend apple, cherry, maple, or pecan. If using a grill, place the smoking pouch on the direct heat. Close the lid and smoke for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, replacing the smoking pouch as necessary. Breasts should be about 160 to 165 degrees F. The thighs should be about 170 to 175 degrees F. If needed, rotate the chicken once during smoking.
• While your chicken is smoking, prepare your BBQ sauce. Combine the ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, honey, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring sauce to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove sauce from heat and allow to cool.
• Baste the chicken with the honey BBQ sauce during the last 30 minutes of cooking (this is optional). Once the chicken has reached the correct internal temperature, remove it from the grill, rest for 10 minutes, slice, and serve.

CHICKEN BREASTS WITH CHERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine flour and salt. Add chicken, one piece at a time, and shake to coat. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown chicken in butter on both sides. Remove from the heat., In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, orange juice, onion, orange zest, ginger and cinnamon. Bring to a boil; cook for 5 minutes or until slightly reduced and sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat; stir in cherries., Pour sauce over chicken. Cover and cook over low heat for 30-35 minutes or until a thermometer reads 170°., Remove chicken to a serving platter; keep warm. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into the sauce. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with chicken.

CINNAMON-CURED SMOKED CHICKEN BREASTS WIH CHERRY BARBECUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Whisk 4 cups water, coarse salt, and sugar in large bowl until sugar dissolves. Add chicken breasts, sliced onion, lemon slices, and broken cinnamon sticks. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Place wood chips in 8x6-inch foil packet left open at top; set packet atop coals 5 minutes before grilling chicken. Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Grill chicken until just cooked through, about 8 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to platter. Serve, passing Cherry Barbecue Sauce separately.