Heat, smoky, and with simply the correct amount of warmth, Southwest Rooster is lightning fast to make. I really like this hen as a result of it’s tremendous straightforward to throw collectively, and my household loves it as a result of it goes properly with so lots of our favourite meals.
I fell in love with these bite-sized items of hen years in the past, and this Southwest model has change into a household favourite. It matches proper alongside my different boldly seasoned chicken bites. I could make them a number of occasions every week and nonetheless by no means have a chew leftover.
Southwest Rooster
This hen is certainly one of my go-to meals to throw collectively for busy weeknights. My boys wrap these tasty morsels of hen up in tortillas or pile them excessive over rice, and I toss mine with a salad. When everybody will get to eat what they need, dinner is a assured success.
I really like that I can prepare dinner the meat proper on the finish of my dinner prep and serve it piping sizzling with all the things else. It’s nice for these nights after I don’t wish to overthink making a tasty dinner.
Components and Substitutions
The Meat – I like boneless skinless hen thighs as a result of the meat is extra flavorful and forgiving. Rooster breasts may also work.
Oil – I take advantage of gentle flavored olive oil on this recipe. Refined coconut oil will work as properly.
Daring Spices – The first seasonings that I take advantage of for this hen are chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and pink pepper flakes. This provides it a daring, barely spicy taste.
Savory Notes – I add a touch of teaspoon of oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder to stability the flavors on this dish.
Salt and Pepper – I at all times use kosher salt and freshly floor black pepper in my cooking.
Spice Mix – All the above spices will be substituted with 2 tablespoons of my homemade taco seasoning. That’s, in case you are like me and maintain a jar of it within the cabinet for making hen like this.
Methods to Make Southwest Rooster
Chopping the Rooster: I chop the hen into roughly 1-inch items.
Oiling the Rooster: I place the chopped hen in a medium-sized bowl and drizzle it with a tablespoon of oil, then toss them with a spatula to coat with oil.
Seasoning the Rooster: I sprinkle the spices over the bowl with the hen, then toss the hen once more with a spatula so they’re evenly coated.
Resting the Rooster: I let the hen sit for no less than 10 minutes.
Prepping the Pan: When I’m able to prepare dinner the seasoned meat, I add 2 tablespoons of oil to a big skillet over excessive warmth.
Cooking the Rooster: As soon as the pan is sizzling, I add the hen to the pan and start cooking it.
Tossing the Rooster: After a minute or two, as soon as the hen begins to brown, I take advantage of tongs to stir the hen and flip each bit over.
Ending the Prepare dinner: I let the items of hen proceed cooking for one more 1-2 minutes, till cooked by.
Serving the Rooster: The hen is able to eat as quickly because it finishes cooking.
Knowledgeable Tip
Do you wish to know the largest mistake I used to make when cooking meat? I used to be by no means affected person sufficient. It took me a very long time to lastly study to not rush the pan. Now, I give the skillet time to completely warmth up earlier than including the hen. The meat ought to greet the pan with loads of sizzle! Then, I give it sufficient time to sear correctly and caramelize earlier than I toss it.
Lower Evenly, Prepare dinner Evenly – I can not overstress the significance of slicing the hen into items which can be the identical measurement. This lets the hen end on the identical time, as an alternative of ending with a panful of undercooked and overcooked hen.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan – I solely ever prepare dinner a single layer of those Southwest hen bites at a time. And, I depart room for airflow. If the meat is swimming in liquid, it is not going to get these fantastic crispy edges that give it a lot texture and taste.
Take away From the Warmth – As quickly because the hen is completed, I take away the juicy items from the pan. For those who allow them to sit on the new pan, they are going to proceed cooking and dry out.
Serving Solutions
I nearly at all times serve this hen at my desk with a aspect of my spanish rice or chipotle lime rice. Rice soaks up the spices fantastically and turns the meal into one thing that feels full while not having a lot else on the plate.
For a extra hands-on meal, I really like tucking this hen into whole wheat tortillas and letting everybody construct their very own Southwest hen wraps or tacos. It’s particularly nice if I’m feeding a gaggle with totally different topping preferences.
Make Forward & Storage
Make Forward: I discover that this recipe offers one of the best outcomes after I prepare dinner the hen proper earlier than serving it. However, I do generally prep the meat with the oil and seasonings as much as 24 hours forward of time. Then, I retailer it in a bag within the fridge to let the hen marinate.
Methods to Retailer: I let the meat cool, then retailer it in an hermetic container within the fridge. It needs to be good for as much as 3 days.
Methods to Reheat: I reheat it, loosely lined within the microwave with a splash of water or hen broth for 15-30 second intervals.
Extra Rooster Recipes
Often Requested Questions
I discover that the warmth is sort of delicate. If I’m serving somebody who is worried about how spicy it’s, then I’ll cut back or eradicate the pink pepper flakes and cayenne pepper.
Completely! I really like that with do-it-yourself cooking, I can regulate the spice stage to go well with my private choice. If I wish to dial up the warmth, I double the pink pepper flakes and add extra cayenne pepper. However, it’s also possible to add sizzling sauces and different condiments to boost the warmth.
In no way. I personally don’t use hen breasts, as a result of hen thighs keep juicier and my household prefers them. Nevertheless, hen breasts will work on this recipe. Simply cut back the cooking time barely and take care to not overcook and dry the meat out.
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Cube the hen into small items, roughly ¾″-1″ in measurement. Put aside in a medium measurement bowl. In a small dish or measuring cup, mix all the spices. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and all the spices to the bowl with the hen. Toss properly to mix. Let relaxation for no less than 10 minutes.
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Warmth 2 tablespoons of oil in a really giant skillet over excessive warmth. When the oil is sizzling, add the hen. Saute, turning or stirring continuously, till the hen is browned on the surface and cooked by. This may take just some minutes. Take care to not overcook the hen.
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Take away the hen items from the pan when they’re completed cooking. As a result of the items are small, they are going to dry out if left within the sizzling pan.
Energy: 384 kcal | Carbohydrates: 4 g | Protein: 45 g | Fats: 21 g | Saturated Fats: 4 g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 4 g | Monounsaturated Fats: 11 g | Trans Fats: 0.04 g | Ldl cholesterol: 215 mg | Sodium: 854 mg | Potassium: 684 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 0.4 g | Vitamin A: 1569 IU | Vitamin C: 0.2 mg | Calcium: 53 mg | Iron: 4 mg
Vitamin info is mechanically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.
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