Chicken in a Tomatillo, Chipotle and Brown Sugar Sauce
4to 6 servings
Pollo con Tomate Verde, Chipotle y Piloncillo
Ingredients
3chicken leg quarters, or 3 drumsticks and 3 thighs, rinsed and patted dry
1/2tspkosher or sea salt, more or less to taste
1/4tspblack pepper, freshly ground
1/4cupsafflower or corn oil
2cupswhite onion, sliced
2garlic cloves, chopped
2lbstomatillos, husks removed and rinsed, quartered
4tbsppiloncillo, shredded, or substitute for brown sugar
1chipotle chile in adobo sauce, plus more sauce if desired
2cupschicken broth, or water
To Prepare
Sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
In a thick and tall heavy skillet or casserole dish, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces. Brown on one side, for about 4 to 5 minutes and then flip and brown on the other side, for another 3 to 4 minutes. Don’t try to flip too soon or the skin will stick to the skillet. Remove the chicken pieces and place in a bowl. You may remove the skin if you wish, I don’t.
Add the onion to the skillet and cook, stirring for about 3 to 4 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, for about 20 seconds. Make room in the pan and add the tomatillos. Let it cook all together, for about 6 to 8 minutes. Add the piloncillo, the chipotles and their sauce and stir well. Once it comes to a simmer incorporate the chicken pieces along with the chicken broth and cook for about 30 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should be chunky and thick, and the chicken fully cooked.