Baked Tomatillo Chicken

Recipe Ingredients

1 lb	454g / 16oz	Tomatillos - see * Note
2 cups	474ml	Water
		Nonstick cooking spray - as needed
2 teaspoons	10ml	Oil
1		Garlic clove - minced
1		Garlic clove - halved lengthwise, divided
1/2 cup	31g / 1.1oz	Minced onion
1		Serrano chile - seeded, minced
		Salt - to taste
2 teaspoons	10ml	Lime juice
4		Boneless skinless chicken breasts - (1 to 1 1/4 lbs)
		Freshly-ground black pepper - to taste
1/2 teaspoon	2.5ml	Ground cumin
2 oz	56g	Thinly-sliced panela cheese

Recipe Instructions

Remove and discard the husks from the tomatillos then wash them under running water. Combine the tomatillos and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer until the tomatillos are tender, about 10 minutes. Puree the tomatillos with the cooking liquid and set aside. You can make the tomatillo sauce ahead, then reheat it.

Coat a nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Add the oil and heat over medium-low heat. Cook the minced garlic, onion and chile in the oil until tender, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatillo puree. Bring to a simmer and cook until the puree thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Season with salt to taste and the lime juice. Keep the sauce warm while preparing the chicken. Heat a well-seasoned grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high heat.

Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the cumin evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts and rub over the surface. Rub the chicken breasts with the cut sides of the remaining clove of garlic. Lightly spray the chicken with nonstick cooking spray and grill, 5 minutes on each side.

Meanwhile, heat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the grilled chicken in a small baking dish and cover with the warm tomatillo sauce. Top each of the chicken breasts with the cheese slices. Bake until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, 15 to 20 minutes.

Hints

Note: Tomatillos, also called Mexican green tomatoes, can be found in most supermarkets. Canned can be substituted for fresh.

Source:
"The Los Angeles Times, 03-20-2002"

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