Make Believe Middle Eastern Chicken Food

MIDDLE-EASTERN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Coat Dutch oven or large, heavy pot with cooking spray. Cook chicken pieces over medium heat, turning frequently, until they begin to brown, With a slotted spoon, remove the chicken to medium bowl and set aside.
• To same pot, add onion, garlic, oil, and 2 tablespoons broth. Stir up any browned bits from bottom of pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, 5-6 minutes or until onion is tender. If liquid begins to evaporate, add more broth.
• Return the chicken to the pot. Add remaining broth, green pepper, tomato, garbanzos, raisins, bay leaf, thyme, cumin, allspice, cloves and black pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, covered, 20-25 minutes or until chicken is tender. Remove bay leaf and discard.
• Add couscous and stir to mix well. Boil 2 minutes, covered. Remove pot from heat; stir up any couscous sticking to bottom. Allow mixture to stand 10-15 minutes, covered. Add salt to taste, if desired.
• Arrange couscous on serving platter and top with chicken and sauce. Garnish with parsley.

MIDDLE EASTERN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Place the chicken breasts in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
• Sprinkle the chicken with the fresh lemon juice, combine spices and sprinkle over chicken, top with slivers of garlic.
• Pour the rinsed chickpeas over and then the tomatoes. Place dish in preheated oven and cook for 25 minutes.
• Serve with couscous or rice.

MIDDLE EASTERN STYLE FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken in a large pot and cover with water.
• Add onion, garlic, coriander, tumeric, salt and pepper and stir.
• Allow to simmer for 20-25 minutes.
• This process allows the chicken to absorb the spices.
• In a frying pan or deep fryer, bring vegetable oil to 350ºF degrees.
• Strain chicken from water and roll in flour.
• When oil is hot, fry chicken pieces until golden brown and done.
• Legs and thighs generally take about 15-20 minutes.
• Breasts take 7-10 minutes for strips.
• Cutlets, larger, thicker breast may take up to 15 minutes.
• Serve with a salad, rice, and olives.

MIDDLE EASTERN CHICKEN MARINADE/RUB

Steps:

• Mix all ingrediants together, or blend with a food processor.
• Pour mixture into freezer bag and add meat. Marinade for 3 hours.
• Cook on grill or bake at 350F for 45 minutes.

CHICKEN KABOBS IN A MIDDLE EASTERN MARINADE

Steps:

• Puree the garlic, onion, spices, lemon juice and yogurt in the container of a blender or food processor.
• Place the chicken in a non-aluminum container and cover with the marinade. Turn well to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 12 hours.
• Preheat the broiler or make a charcoal fire.
• Thread the chicken on skewers, brush with a little oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook about 4 to 5 minutes per side for thigh meat, 3 to 4 minutes per side for breast meat. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.