Smothered Chicken Creole Style Food

SMOTHERED CHICKEN, CREOLE STYLE

Steps:

• A black iron skillet is essential for the authentic preparation of this dish. Sprinkle the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Select a skillet large enough to hold the chicken comfortably when it is opened up as for broiling. Fold the chicken wings under to hold them secure.
• Melt the butter in the skillet and add the chicken skin-side down. Cover the chicken firmly with a plate that will fit comfortably inside the skillet. Add several weights, approximately five pounds, to the top of the plate. Cook over low heat, checking the skin side of the chicken, until it is nicely browned, about 25 minutes.
• Remove the chicken to a warm platter. To the skillet add the onion, celery, green pepper and garlic and cook, stirring, until onions are wilted.
• Sprinkle with flour and stir to blend. Add the tomatoes, bay leaf, salt and pepper, stirring rapidly with the whisk. Bring to a boil.
• Return the chicken to the sauce skin-side up. Cover with the plate and weights and continue cooking over low heat 45 minutes longer. Remove the chicken to a warm platter and cook down the sauce briefly, stirring. Pour the sauce over the chicken and sprinkle with parsley.

CRAIG CLAIBORNE'S SMOTHERED CHICKEN, CREOLE STYLE

Steps:

• Craig Claiborne believed a black iron skillet to be essential for the authentic preparation of this dish. Sprinkle the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Select a skillet large enough to hold the chicken comfortably when it is opened up as for broiling. Fold the chicken wings under to hold them secure.
• Melt the butter in the pan and add the chicken skin-side down. Cover the chicken firmly with a plate that will fit comfortably inside the skillet. Place a heavy can, stone or brick on the plate to weight it down. Cook over low heat, checking the skin side of the chicken, until it is nicely browned, approximately 25 minutes.
• Remove the chicken to a warm platter. To the skillet add the onion, celery, green pepper and garlic and cook, stirring, until onions are wilted.
• Sprinkle with flour and stir to blend. Add the tomatoes, bay leaf, salt and pepper, stirring rapidly with the whisk. Bring to a boil.
• Return the chicken to the sauce skin-side up. Cover with the plate and weights and continue cooking over low heat 45 minutes longer. Remove the chicken to a warm platter and cook down the sauce briefly, stirring. Pour the sauce over the chicken and sprinkle with parsley.

CHICKEN CREOLE

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown chicken in oil; remove and set aside. In the same skillet, saute onion, celery, green pepper and garlic until tender. Stir in tomatoes, water, paprika, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, cayenne pepper and bay leaf; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. , Add chicken. Whisk cornstarch and cold water until smooth; stir into chicken mixture and bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, until chicken is tender, 10-15 minutes. Remove bay leaf before serving. If desired, serve with rice.

CREOLE BLACKENED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Mix the first five ingredients; sprinkle over chicken. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown chicken in batches on both sides; transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan., Bake, uncovered, 12-15 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165°.

DRUNKEN SMOTHERED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Season your chicken pieces with half the creole seasoning.
• Heat olive oil in dutch oven and brown chicken pieces for about 4 minutes per side on Med-High heat. Just until golden brown.
• Take out of skillet and set aside on plate or in dish.
• Add butter, onions, bell peppers, and celery to skillet. Saute for 5 minutes or until veggies start to get lightly brown and caramelized. Slowly stir in flour and cook for another 2 minutes or until flour is fully incorperated and lightly browned.
• Add chicken stock slowly and stir until incorperated and it begins to thicken.
• Return chicken to pot and add the rest of the creole seasoning, garlic, black and white pepper, white wine, thyme and bay leaves.
• Bring to a boil and then let simmer on low covered for 30 minutes.
• Add heavy cream and hot sauce. Stir and taste. May need a little kosher salt to taste.
• Bring to a boil again, and let simmer on low for another 20 minutes.
• Serve over white rice.
• Goes great with french bread and white wine.
• People say "But, there are bones in there!".
• But I believe that's the secret to the amazing flavor.
• You can take the skin off of your chicken and use half and half instead of heavy cream, but that's about the most fat/flavor I'd take out.