Chef John’s Calabrian Chicken

May 09, 2023May 9, 20230 2
Chef John's Calabrian Chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish perfect for any occasion.
in Main

Prep

30 min

Cook

45 min

Ready In

1 hr 15 min

Level

Easy

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
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Ingredients

2 Cornish game hens
1 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
4 cloves garlic , peeled
1 egg
1 tablespoon Calabrian hot chili sauce , or more to taste
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 anchovy fillet

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
4
Calories
594
Sugar
1g
Fat
45g
Chef John's Calabrian Chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect when you're looking to make something a little fancier than your typical weeknight dinner. Inspired by the flavors of Calabria, a region in Southern Italy, this recipe features Cornish game hens that are marinated in a zesty, garlicky, and slightly spicy sauce made with white wine vinegar, fresh rosemary, Calabrian hot chili sauce, and citrus zest. The result is a tender, juicy chicken that is bursting with flavor and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Serve Chef John's Calabrian Chicken with a simple salad or some roasted vegetables for a complete meal that is sure to impress.

Instructions

1.In a food processor, blend together the white wine vinegar, vegetable oil, rosemary leaves, orange juice, garlic, egg, and anchovy fillet until smooth.
2.Add the Calabrian hot chili sauce, orange zest, and kosher salt to the mixture and blend again until well combined.
3.Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
4.Cut the Cornish game hens in half lengthwise and season both sides with salt and pepper.
5.Place the hens in a large baking dish and brush the Calabrian chili mixture over the skin until all the pieces are evenly coated.
6.Bake the chicken in the oven for 40-45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
7.Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

PROS

Chef John’s Calabrian Chicken is an incredibly flavorful dish that is sure to delight any palate.

The spicy Calabrian hot chili sauce gives the chicken a nice kick, and the orange and rosemary add a bright, fresh flavor to the dish.

CONS

Cornish game hens can be a bit more expensive than traditional chicken, and they are smaller, so they may not be enough to feed a larger family.

Additionally, the Calabrian chili sauce can be quite spicy, so those who are sensitive to heat may want to reduce or omit the chili sauce from the recipe.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Chef John’s Calabrian Chicken is a great source of protein and is relatively low in calories.
The hot chili sauce may provide health benefits as capsaicin, the active component in chili peppers, has been linked to decreased inflammation and improved heart health.
However, the dish is relatively high in fat due to the use of vegetable oil and egg in the marinade.

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